MLB Player News
-
Freddy Fermin C | SD
Padres' Freddy Fermin: Exits early Wednesday
Fermin was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mariners with an apparent injury, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Fermin was immediately pulled from the game after taking a Brendan Donovan foul tip off his mask in the third inning. He'll presumably be evaluated for a concussion. Meanwhile, Luis Campusano will take over behind the plate and should handle the starting job if Fermin misses any time.
-
Gerrit Cole SP | NYY
Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Beginning assignment Friday
Cole (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Cole has built up to three innings (42 pitches) while pitching in sim games, and he's now been given the green light to begin playing in minor-league games. Because he's on the 15-day IL, the 35-year-old righty will be eligible to return at any moment, but the Yankees will presumably look to slowly build him up over the course of several rehab outings while he finishes up his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
-
Matt Shaw SS | CHC
Cubs' Matt Shaw: Tallies three doubles Wednesday
Shaw went 3-for-4 with three doubles, two runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Phillies.
Shaw got into a nice groove Wednesday as he delivered his first three-hit effort of the season and doubled his extra-base hit total. The 24-year-old also raised his batting average from .200 to .245 in the process. Shaw has seen his playing time trend down with Seiya Suzuki back from the injured list, though the former can still provide some fantasy value from a super-utility role due to his ability to hit for power and swipe a base.
-
Dansby Swanson SS | CHC
Cubs' Dansby Swanson: Goes deep again Wednesday
Swanson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and two total RBI in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Phillies.
Swanson appears to be heating up, as he now has three home runs across his last four games. The shortstop's batting average is still sitting at just .200, but his recent surge suggests that figure will continue to climb. Swanson has also yet to sit out a game this season, and his consistent playing time should offer him plenty of opportunities to keep racking up counting stats while he's locked in at the plate.
-
Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Keeps rolling Wednesday
Hoerner went 3-for-5 with a home run, an additional run scored, a stolen base and five RBI in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Phillies.
Hoerner's scorching-hot start to the season continued, as he delivered his third three-hit effort through 18 games and launched his second home run. The infielder is also a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen bases, and he's batting a robust .324 with a .917 OPS. At this rate, Hoerner appears primed to make his first All-Star Game appearance this summer, and he seems locked in as Chicago's preferred leadoff hitter against both righties and lefties.
-
Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Tigers' Kenley Jansen: Records another save Wednesday
Jansen worked around a hit to toss a scoreless inning and earn the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Royals. He struck out one.
Jansen recorded his second save in as many days, and he now has four this year in five opportunities. The veteran righty also has a strong 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and seven strikeouts across 4.2 innings so far. Jansen appears to be settling in with his new team, and the 38-year-old should remain a reliable fantasy option the rest of the way as long as he remains healthy in his 17th MLB campaign.
-
Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Continues solid play
Baez went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.
Baez started in center field for the third time in Detroit's last five games, and he continued his solid start to the season. The veteran is now batting .295 with a .774 OPS, one home run, five RBI and five runs scored across 13 appearances. Baez's ability to play the outfield has opened up shortstop for young phenom Kevin McGonigle, and that arrangement figures to stick for the time being, though McGonigle can also shift over to third to allow Baez to cover short on occasion.
-
Wenceel Perez SS | DET
Tigers' Wenceel Perez: Delivers key home run
Perez went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.
Perez entered the game as a defensive replacement after Zach McKinstry exited following a collision, and the former didn't come to the plate until the eighth inning. Perez made the at-bat count, however, as the outfielder lifted his first home run of the year to break a 1-1 tie. It was a positive moment for Perez, though he still looks like a reserve option for the Tigers after getting recalled from Triple-A Toledo last week.
-
Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Exits after collision
McKinstry was removed from Wednesday's game against the Royals after colliding with Jac Caglianone in the seventh inning, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
A grounder to third base put McKinstry in the path of the running Caglianone, causing the former to trip and come up favoring his left leg. The severity of McKinstry's injury remains unknown, but any missed time would likely open up more opportunities for Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez.
-
Cody Bradford RP | TEX
Rangers' Cody Bradford: Moved to 60-day IL
The Rangers transferred Bradford (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Bradford has been working his way back from an internal brace procedure and made his first rehab start April 3, but his second outing has since been delayed, and his move to the 60-day IL suggests he isn't close to returning. He'll remain sidelined until at least late May, and he'll give up his place on the 40-man roster to help make room for the promotions of Cal Quantrill and Gavin Collyer.