News
MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos reports the Athletics are calling up top prospect Nick Kurtz.
It’s happening. Kurtz projects as an immediate four-category impact contributor for fantasy purposes and should be rostered in all formats. The 22-year-old burgeoning slugger controls the strike zone and boasts stratospheric raw power without sacrificing anything from an approach standpoint. He was selected fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and gets the call to the majors after slashing a sublime .321/.385/.655 with seven homers and 24 RBI over 20 games for Triple-A Las Vegas. He’ll take over as the Athletics’ starting first baseman with Brent Rooker heading to the outfield and red-hot Tyler Soderstrom moving to DH. He’ll make his major-league debut on Tuesday night against the division-rival Rangers.
Luke Jackson is day-to-day with a right hand contusion.
Jackson is dealing with some swelling after being hit by a 111-mph line drive on the right hand during Monday’s save opportunity against the Rockies. Initial X-rays came back negative for any fractures and the 33-year-old righty expressed optimism on Tuesday that he’ll avoid a trip to the injured list. He’s unlikely to pitch for a couple days, which means some combination of Chris Martin and Robert Garcia will handle any save opportunities in his absence.
Guardians recalled RHP Zak Kent from Triple-A Columbus.
Kent returns to Cleveland’s relief mix as extra depth in the wake of starter Ben Lively hitting the injured list with a flexor tendon strain. The 27-year-old righty has pitched extremely well this season at the Triple-A level and has allowed just one run over four innings in a pair of relief appearances this year at the highest level.
Guardians placed RHP Ben Lively on the 15-day injured list with a right flexor tendon strain.
No word yet on how much time Lively is going to miss, but it figures to be an extended absence given the nature of the injury, which can offer be a precursor to more significant elbow issues. The 33-year-old made an early exit from Monday’s start against the Brewers after three scoreless innings. It’ll be Zak Kent coming up to take his spot on Cleveland’s active roster as extra relief depth. No word on how the Guardians plan to fill his rotation spot.
Matthew Judon said he “probably” won’t return to the Falcons in 2025.
The Falcons, of course, drafted both Jalon Walker and James Pearce in the first round. In an exclusive interview with CardPlayer.com — not to be confused with our PokerNews.com James Cook scoop a few days ago — Judon said that his sack total was down because “I dropped (into coverage) on 60 percent of the plays. It’s hard to get a pick and a sack on the same play.” Judon also told Kyle Odegard that “a couple” teams had expressed interest in him but he was in no rush to sign.
Jason Foley underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
Foley failed to make Detroit’s season-opening roster after notching a career-best 28 saves last year and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this season. It’s a hit to the Tigers’ relief depth that he won’t be an option, even in a lower-leverage role. The 29-year-old former closer is facing a lengthy absence.
Blue Jays RHP prospect Jake Bloss will undergo surgery on the UCL in his right elbow.
It figures to be a season-ending procedure for Bloss, who hit the minor league injured list earlier this month with a right elbow issue. It’s unclear whether it’ll be a traditional Tommy John operation or an internal brace procedure. The 23-year-old pitching prospect came over last July at the trade deadline as part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade with the Astros. There should be an exact return timetable following the surgical procedure.