MLB News & Notes: May 8
Catch up on Wednesday's news and the fantasy news that follows.
Christian Yelich (OF - MIL)
It had been quiet on the Christian Yelich rehab front lately, and then on Wednesday, Yelich was activated from the IL. That wasn’t the only surprise. Prospect Tyler Black was sent back to AAA. Yelich was back at DH and hitting third, where he went 0-5. Black hit .227 over seven games with a 35% strikeout rate. There’s a good chance we see Black again this season.
Robbie Grossman (OF - TEX)
The White Sox and Rangers traded on Wednesday, sending Grossman to the Rangers in exchange for RHP Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa. Grossman was hitting .211 for the White Sox with no home runs and two stolen bases.
Dane Dunning (SP - TEX)
Dunning was placed on the IL with a shoulder issue. The injury is vague, so we’ll see how bad it is in the coming days. Owen White was recalled from AAA to take Dunning’s spot on the roster. White came out of the bullpen on Wednesday and faced three batters, allowing three hits and three runs.
Max Scherzer (SP - TEX)
Here's a minor update on Scherzer. He’s still shut down from throwing because of his thumb/forearm injury. He won’t throw again until he is pain-free.
Mark Canha (OF - DET)
Canha was out of Wednesday’s lineup, which was the second straight game for Canha. He’s battling an upper respiratory infection, so that he may be out for a few more games.
Tyler Soderstrom (C/1B - OAK)
Soderstrom was recalled from AAA on Wednesday, and Darrell Hernaiz is heading to the IL with a severe ankle sprain. Soderstrom went 2-5 in his first game with a home run. He was hitting .245 in AAA with seven home runs.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B - CIN)
CES missed some time recently after getting hit on the hand by a pitch. X-rays were negative, and he returned for a few games. More imaging was done, and CES has a fracture in his wrist. He’s expected to miss 4-6 weeks with the new injury. Mike Ford agreed to an MLB contract with the Reds and took CES’s spot on the roster.
Edward Cabrera (SP - MIA)
After a rough outing on Tuesday, Cabrera was placed on the IL with a right shoulder impingement. This will mark Cabrera’s second IL stint in the last three months. Braxton Garrett was activated from the IL and should make a start on Sunday.
Dansby Swanson (SS - CHC)
Swanson was out of Wednesday’s game with a lingering knee injury. He tweaked his knee in the Astros series, and this is the second game he’s missed this past week.
Brandon Drury (1B,2B - LAA)
Drury left Wednesday’s game after tweaking his hamstring. After the game, he said he was in quite a bit of pain and get more testing on Thursday.
Paul Skenes (SP - PIT)
It’s finally happening. Paul Skenes will be called up and make his MLB debut on Saturday versus the Cubs. Skenes had a 0.99 ERA over seven starts at AAA with 45 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched.
Jorge Soler (OF - SF)
Soler was officially placed on the IL on Wednesday. He’s been out for a few games with a shoulder injury, so this seemed a matter of time. Hopefully, the shoulder injury explains Soler’s struggles at the plate and that he can get healthy and start hitting. Heliot Ramos was recalled from AAA to take Soler’s spot on the roster. Ramos hit .296 with eight home runs and two stolen bases at AAA. He went 1-4 with a run and an RBI on Wednesday.
Blake Snell (SP - SF)
Snell will throw a bullpen on Thursday and then throw a rehab start on Sunday in San Jose. If all goes well, Snell will rejoin the Giants next week.
Mariners Moves
The Mariners made quite a few moves on Wednesday. They activated Eduard Bazardo from the IL and recalled Kirby Snead from AAA. Tayler Saucedo was placed on the IL, and Emerson Hancock was optioned for AAA. Matt Brash was also moved to the 60-day IL. There are a lot of moving pieces in the pitching department for the Mariners.
Pete Fairbanks (RP - TB)
Fairbanks will make another rehab appearance on Thursday at AAA Durham. If all goes well, he should join the Rays this weekend.
Chas McCormick (OF - HOU)
McCormick will begin a rehab assignment this weekend, and if all goes well, he’ll return early next week with the Astros.
Romy Gonzalez (2B - BOS)
Gonzalez was activated from the IL on Wednesday, and Zach Short was DFA’d.
Ryan Pressly (RP - HOU)
We learned on Wednesday that Pressly has not pitched since Friday due to soreness in his lower back.
Taj Bradley (SP - TB)
Bradley was activated from the IL on Wednesday and will start Friday versus the Yankees. Ryan Pepiot was officially placed on the IL to make room for Bradley.