Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider reported Monday that Addison Barger is making progress in his recovery from an elbow injury. Barger is currently at the team's complex in Florida, where he is actively ramping up his hitting program. The team is monitoring his development closely as he works toward a return to full baseball activities.
The Seattle Mariners have recalled infielder Ryan Bliss from Triple-A Tacoma. The move was made on Monday prior to the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles to provide middle infield depth after shortstop J.P. Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hand contusion.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced Monday that Spencer Miles will move out of the starting rotation and transition into a bullpen role for the upcoming week. This roster adjustment comes as the Blue Jays look to stabilize their pitching staff and integrate returning starters into the rotation.
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington confirmed that prospect Konnor Griffin will be sidelined for a longer duration than initially anticipated due to an ongoing injury. The team has not provided a specific return timeline, noting only that Griffin will be out for a while longer as he continues his recovery process.
The Toronto Blue Jays have activated Tommy Nance to the major league roster. To create space for Nance, the team designated Yariel Rodriguez for assignment. Rodriguez, who was previously DFA'd in December, had been performing well with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons after revamping his pitch mix, but the team opted to move forward with Nance to bolster their current roster depth.
Yordan Alvarez has been named the American League Player of the Week for June 1-7 after hitting .476 with two home runs and nine RBI. Following Aaron Judge's injury, Alvarez has seen his AL MVP odds improve significantly and is now a legitimate candidate to secure the first Triple Crown in Astros franchise history. He currently leads the Majors in several categories and remains a focal point of the American League landscape as he challenges for individual honors.
Infielder Braden Shewmake remains on the injured list for the Houston Astros. His absence, alongside the recent injury to Nick Allen, has forced the team to rely on depth options, though the return of Jose Altuve provides some relief for the infield rotation.
The Astros are preparing to place infielder Nick Allen on the injured list. Allen, who is batting .262 with a .304 OBP this season, has seen increased playing time recently due to injuries to teammates Braden Shewmake and Jose Altuve. The team is managing his status as they look to maintain infield depth during this period of roster turnover.
Jordan Walker is currently experiencing a breakout season that is fueling the St. Louis Cardinals' success. His performance has been a key factor in the team's strong standing in recent MLB power rankings, marking them as one of the biggest surprises in the league this year.
Ryan Helsley (elbow) reached a significant milestone in his recovery by throwing batting practice against live hitters on Monday. The Orioles are monitoring his progress closely as he works toward returning to the active roster. His return would provide a major boost to the Baltimore bullpen.
Manny Machado remains a focal point of league-wide discussions, recently drawing attention for his questionable stance on analytics during a recent episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast. While specific updates on his playing status were not detailed in the latest news cycle, he continues to be a central figure alongside other major stars amidst ongoing CBA negotiations. Machado's comments on the role of data in the game have sparked debate as he remains a high-profile leader for the San Diego Padres.
Adley Rutschman has been identified as a prime home run candidate for the Baltimore Orioles' matchup on Monday, June 8, featuring prominently in HR prop bets and parlay picks due to his consistent power. However, the star catcher is out of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Seattle Mariners to get some rest. As a cornerstone of the Orioles' offense, his production remains critical, and fans will look for him to maintain his hitting ability upon his return to the field later this week.
Samuel Basallo is out of the starting lineup for the Baltimore Orioles' game against the Seattle Mariners on Monday. The young prospect is receiving a routine night off as the team manages its roster for the matchup at Camden Yards. While Basallo sits this one out, the Orioles will look to other depth pieces to fill the void. No injury was reported, suggesting this is a standard rest day for the player as he continues his development within the Orioles' organization and prepares for future starts.
Daulton Varsho is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, marking his third consecutive absence as he deals with a lingering wrist injury. The Blue Jays outfielder has been unable to clear the necessary hurdles to return to action, leaving Toronto without one of its primary defensive stalwarts and power threats. The team continues to monitor his status day-to-day, hoping to avoid an injured list stint if the wrist inflammation and discomfort subside in the coming days.
Chandler Simpson is out of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox as he continues to recover from a thumb injury. According to reports from Ryan Bass of Rays.tv, Simpson has not yet been cleared to return to the field, necessitating further rest. The Rays are being cautious with the young player to ensure the thumb is fully healed before he resumes game action. His status remains uncertain for the remainder of the series as the medical staff evaluates his progress and recovery.
Ernie Clement has been identified as a vital component for the Toronto Blue Jays in their Monday, June 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. Analysts suggest Clement possesses the specific tools and hitting profile necessary to counter Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez effectively. Featured in various game predictions and MLB picks, Clement is being watched as a potential impact player who could drive the Blue Jays' offense. His ability to put the ball in play makes him a focal point for today's contest.
Clarke Schmidt (elbow) is reportedly 'feeling great' during his recent mound sessions. According to MLB.com, the Yankees pitcher is making positive progress in his recovery and could potentially begin throwing to live hitters by the end of June. This marks a significant step forward in his rehabilitation timeline as he works toward returning to the active roster.
Joe Musgrove (elbow) has officially resumed his throwing program. According to reports from MLB.com, the Padres pitcher began playing catch in late May. This is a key development in his recovery process, though he remains under observation as he works to build up his arm strength and return to competitive pitching form.
Shotaro Morii is gaining significant attention as a rising prospect within the Athletics' farm system. Hailing from Japan, Morii is distinguished by his rare three-way skill set; he is a pitcher and hitter who, unlike Shohei Ohtani, also plays the infield. His development is being closely monitored as he finds his footing in the minor leagues, representing a unique talent profile for the organization.
The Dodgers finished a mixed week with a 4-3 record, splitting a series with the Diamondbacks before taking two of three from the Angels. Despite the winning record, the week included frustrating losses, such as a Monday defeat in Phoenix. Meanwhile, Ohtani remains the standard for multi-positional talent, often compared to rising prospects like the Athletics' Shotaro Morii, who is gaining attention as a rare three-way player capable of pitching, hitting, and playing the infield.
