MLB Player News

  • Luis Torrens C | NYM

    Mets' Luis Torrens: Continues power surge Sunday

    Torrens went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.

    Though he remains the No. 2 catcher on the depth chart behind Francisco Alvarez, Torrens has capitalized on the opportunities he's received so far in August. Through his seven starts this month, Torrens has gone 8-for-21 (.381 average) with four home runs, four walks, one stolen base, 10 RBI and six runs. Considering Torrens left the yard just twice through his first 65 games of the season and owns an unremarkable .358 slugging percentage over his nine-year big-league career, fantasy players shouldn't count on the journeyman backstop's recent power surge lasting much longer.

  • Andres Gimenez SS | TOR

    Blue Jays' Andres Gimenez: Keeps running in August

    Gimenez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Yankees.

    The steal was Gimenez's 17th of the season, and five of them have come in August -- a month in which he's produced a .296/.361/.407 slash line with one homer, eight runs and eight RBI in 16 contests. The veteran infielder is still batting in the lower part of the order, but if he stays hot he could get some looks in a more fantasy-friendly spot as the Jays search for offense while Vladimir Guerrero (concussion) is on the shelf.

  • Blue Jays' Spencer Arrighetti: Will need at least one more rehab start

    Arrighetti (foot) threw 3.2 innings for Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out three.

    The right-hander built up to 50 pitches (35 strikes) and blanked Worcester for three frames before serving up a two-run homer to Mikey Romero in the fourth. Arrighetti doesn't seem quite ready to make his Blue Jays debut, however. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Arrighetti's fastball averaged just 90.5 mph, well down from the 92.4 mph he averaged this season in the majors with Houston, and he'll likely need to build up his workload a little further before being entrusted with even a bulk relief role. If he hits the organization's goals on those fronts in his next rehab start, however, he could be activated from the IL before the end of the month.

  • Noelvi Marte RF | CIN

    Reds' Noelvi Marte: Playing time on upswing

    Marte will start in right field and bat eighth in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

    Despite going 0-for-6 at the plate over his last two starts, Marte will stick in the lineup for the third time in four games. Though the Reds appear to be prioritizing Marte ahead of rookie Hector Rodriguez -- who is on the bench for a fourth straight contest -- Michael Toglia could eventually cut into Marte's playing time. Toglia has been included in the lineup for four of the Reds' last six games, with his last two starts coming at corner-outfield positions.

  • Nathan Church CF | STL

    Cardinals' Nathan Church: Taking seat for early game

    Church is out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Reds.

    Church's platoon mate, Everson Pereira, will cover center field for St. Louis in the early game while Cincinnati sends left-hander Kent Emanuel to the mound. Expect Church to return to the starting nine for the second game of the day, when right-hander Rhett Lowder will take the hill for the Reds.

  • Braves' Ronald Acuna: Swipes first bag since return

    Acuna went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

    He also struck out three times, but Acuna's pilfering of third base in the fifth inning, on the front end of a double steal with Matt Olson, was a very encouraging sign, as it was the star outfielder's first stolen base 19 games since returning from a hamstring strain in late July. If Acuna is feeling more confident in the health of his legs, he could be a lot busier on the basepaths down the stretch. On the season, he sports a .244/.350/.441 slash line with 13 homers and 16 steals in 72 contests.

  • Jimmy Crooks C | STL

    Cardinals' Jimmy Crooks: Idle for first game of day

    Crooks is out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Reds.

    The Reds are sending southpaw Kent Emanuel to the bump for Game 1, so the left-handed-hitting Crooks will begin the contest on the bench. Crooks could draw a start behind the plate in the second game of the day, when a right-hander (Rhett Lowder) will be on the mound for Cincinnati.

  • Giants' Matt Wilkinson: En route to big leagues

    The Giants plan to call up Wilkinson from Triple-A Sacramento this week, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    Wilkinson, a 24-year-old lefty, was acquired by the Giants back in May in the deal that sent catcher Patrick Bailey to the Guardians. He's thrived since joining the San Francisco organization, compiling a 4.23 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 60:22 K:BB over 61.2 innings across three minor-league levels. While the Giants don't appear to have any current openings in their rotation for Wilkinson, his impending call-up could be a hint that ace Logan Webb -- who dealt with back and shoulder tightness during his start against the Rockies over the weekend -- may require a trip to the injured list.

  • Luis Pena SS | MIL

    Brewers' Luis Pena: Arrives at Double-A

    The Brewers promoted Pena from High-A Wisconsin to Double-A Biloxi on Monday.

    Pena missed just over a month of action earlier this season after he collapsed during an April 22 game when he became overheated in the Wisconsin dugout, but fortunately, his development wasn't dramatically sidetracked by the scary incident. The 19-year-old shortstop finished his time in the Midwest League with a .298/.384/.420 slash line to go with two home runs and 27 stolen bases across 219 plate appearances.

  • Cooper Pratt SS | MIL

    Brewers' Cooper Pratt: Playing in rehab game Tuesday

    Pratt (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A Wisconsin.

    It must have been a mild hamstring strain, as he is well ahead of schedule in his recovery. Pratt is eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday at home against the Mariners, and with the Brewers' High-A affiliate located just a couple hours away from Milwaukee, Pratt could be in the lineup for Wednesday's big-league game if all goes well Tuesday.

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