News
Taylor Ward is batting cleanup for the first time this season on Wednesday against the Pirates.
It’s a different look for the Angels as they try to shake things up and generate a spark. Ward hit his sixth home run of the season during Tuesday’s one-sided affair and will get a look in the cleanup spot after occupying the leadoff spot to open the year. It’s Jorge Soler moving up to the top of the order with Zach Neto batting second again on Wednesday evening.
Matt McLain has been dropped to the eighth spot in the Reds lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.
It’s not totally unwarranted, but this is odd timing, given that McLain has a .360 OBP this month after coming in at .266 in April. He is still obviously struggling to hit for average, though. That it’s Santiago Espinal replacing in the second spot tonight seems like a big downgrade, but it’s surely temporary.
Nolan Jones is on the Guardians bench in favor of Will Brennan against a righty on Tuesday.
Brennan is making a second straight start since his callup. The Guardians will be getting Lane Thomas back from the IL either this weekend or early next week, at which point either Brennan or Jhonkensy Noel figures to be demoted. Jones is probably safe himself, since he’s out of options, but he’d be in line to lose much of his playing time if Brennan sticks.
Luis Robert Jr. is starting in center field on Tuesday after missing two games with right knee soreness.
Robert is hitting fourth tonight against lefty Andrew Abbott. Michael A. Taylor remains in the lineup as the right fielder, sending Joshua Palacios to the bench.
Miguel Vargas is back at third base for the White Sox in Tuesday’s game against the Reds.
Vargas missed two games due to a right calf injury. Josh Rojas, who has been playing a lot of third base lately, is stating in left field tonight, with Brooks Baldwin taking a seat.
Royals signed LHP Rich Hill to a minor league contract.
If you were born before Feb. 20, 1983 but after March 11, 1980, there might again soon be a major leaguer older than you. At age 45, Hill will attempt another midseason return to the mound after a rather sour experience with the Red Sox last year. If he pulls it off, he’ll be pitching for his 14th different team in his 21st season in the majors. Hill is 90-74 with a 4.01 ERA in 248 starts and 138 relief appearances since debuting with the Cubs in 2005.
Yankees activated INF DJ LeMahieu from the 10-day injured list.
LeMahieu played second base exclusively on his rehab assignment, suggesting that he was coming back to start over Jorbit Vivas in the Yankees infield. However, the team figures to pivot after the unfortunate Oswaldo Cabrera injury and use either Vivas or LeMahieu at third, with Oswald Peraza also seeing some time there. LeMahieu went 12-for-27 with one homer in his nine minor league games. It’s unlikely that he’ll offer fantasy value outside of AL-only leagues.