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White Sox signed RHP Keone Kela to a minor league contract.
He’ll report to the team’s Arizona Complex league squad where he’ll work himself into game shape. The 32-year-old hurler spent the 2023 season in Japan and worked in the Mexican League in 2024 where he compiled a 2.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 40/6 K/BB ratio over 40 innings. What he does have that most in the White Sox’ bullpen don’t, is experience in the ninth inning. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2021 but he does have 28 career saves under his belt. In the deepest of AL-only formats, he could be worth a look as an extremely speculative shot at saves.
Luis Matos was scratched from the Giants’ starting lineup on Friday night.
No word yet on the reason for the late scratch, but the 23-year-old outfielder was set to bat sixth and serve as the designated hitter in the team’s initial lineup and he was ultimately swapped out for David Villar. Expect the Giants to provide an update on his status shortly.
Ravens signed DT John Jenkins to a one-year contract.
The 35-year-old 13th-year pro slides in as a 1-for-1 Michael Pierce replacement after the former Raven retired in March. Although strictly a two-down player, Jenkins actually played a new career high 606 snaps for the Raiders last season. He probably won’t reach that total in Baltimore, but he should see plenty of work as a run-stopper.
Willi Castro was removed from Friday’s battle against the Brewers after fouling a pitch off of his right knee.
The versatile 28-year-old remained in the game for a few innings after fouling a pitch off of his knee, but ultimately the decision was made to pull him from the game. He’ll likely head for further evaluation to determine whether or not there’s any structural damage. Look for the Twins to provide an update on Castro’s status after the game.
Slade Cecconi will be activated from the injured list to start on Saturday against the Reds.
The 25-year-old right-hander has been sidelined since the end of March due to a left oblique strain. Cecconi has made three minor league rehab starts at Triple-A Columbus, posting a 4.85 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 10/2 K/BB ratio over 13 innings of work. Fantasy managers should probably take a wait and see approach rather than trying to stream him against the Reds on Saturday.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a strained left hamstring.
Gordon injured his hamstring during Thursday’s Game 6 victory, forcing a decisive Game 7 on Sunday. While Charania did not report the grade of the Nuggets’ forward’s strain, Gordon’s availability for Game 7 is in doubt. Multiple reserves will have added value if the Nuggets are forced to play without their starting power forward. Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther will all be asked to contribute even more than they have in this series.
Will Benson went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer Friday as the Reds edged the Guardians 5-4.
The Reds got all of their runs in the first three innings and then held on as the Guardians scored in the fourth, fifth and eighth. Benson’s homer started the scoring in the second, as he took an awful Tanner Bibee slider 361 feet to right field. He also homered and knocked in three runs Thursday against the White Sox, and he’s 7-for-18 with a 2/3 K/BB ratio in six games since being recalled last week. He’ll stay in the lineup until he coola off, and he’ll probably remain on the roster over Rece Hinds once Jake Fraley comes off the injured list.