MLB Player News
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George Lombard SS | NYY
Yankees' George Lombard: Not overmatched at Double-A
Lombard is slashing .215/.336/.362 with eight home runs, 22 steals, a 13.5 percent walk rate and a 26 percent strikeout rate in 102 games for Double-A Somerset.
The third-youngest qualified hitter at Double-A (behind Sebastian Walcott and Nelson Rada), Lombard makes for a tough evaluation, as his youth can generally be used to explain away his shortcomings. He is a career .236 hitter with a career .359 OBP, and he's managed 14 home runs in 250 career games while always being one of the youngest players in his league. Getting the ball in the air isn't a problem for Lombard, and his 39 percent groundball rate and 44.9 percent pull rate are encouraging marks. The passage of time could lead to Lombard naturally accessing significantly more power in a year or two as his body matures, and he's a no-doubt shortstop with above-average speed and on-base ability. The righty-hitting Lombard could get another aggressive assignment to Triple-A next year before turning 21 in June.
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Payton Tolle SP | BOS
Red Sox's Payton Tolle: In line for abbreviated start
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Tolle will make an abbreviated start in Wednesday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Over the weekend, Cora had said that Tolle would be part of the pitching plan for Wednesday's game, though the rookie wasn't in line to start. Cora has since opted to have Tolle make a start in the series finale, though the left-hander will handle a restricted workload since he'll be pitching on four days' rest for the first time all season. The Red Sox will recall Kyle Harrison from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, and he could end up piggybacking Tolle in the contest. Through his first two MLB starts, Tolle has struck out 10 over 8.1 innings but has given up seven earned runs on eight hits and six walks.
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Dax Kilby SS | NYY
Yankees' Dax Kilby: Turns heads in pro debut
Kilby hit .353/.457/.441 with zero home runs, 16 steals, a 16 percent walk rate and a 13.6 percent strikeout rate in 18 games for Single-A Tampa.
The Yankees gave Kilby an over-slot $2.8 million bonus after selecting him with the No. 39 overall pick this year out of a high school in Georgia. The lefty-hitting shortstop has quickly upped his dynasty league value, as his exit velocity data portends at least above-average power down the road. He has a 108.9 mph batted ball and a 105.6 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which are both excellent marks for an 18-year-old making his pro debut. Eighty of his 81 plate appearances came against pitchers who were older than him, and the average player in the Florida State League is 2.9 years older than Kilby. He has a very high fantasy ceiling, and the hype should only build during the offseason.
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Jacob Lopez SP | ATH
Athletics' Jacob Lopez: Making good progress
Lopez (elbow) is making good progress and has an outside chance of pitching in MLB before the season ends, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Lopez landed on the injured list Aug. 26 with a left elbow flexor strain, just two days after giving up nine runs in a disastrous start against the Mariners. Prior to that outing, the southpaw had been effective, recording a 3.28 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 20 appearances (16 starts) and 90.2 innings. The Athletics aren't in a position to rush him back without playoff pressure, but the positive reports on his recovery are at least encouraging for a possible return.
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Denzel Clarke OF | ATH
Athletics' Denzel Clarke: Set to start running
Clarke (hip) is scheduled to run the bases Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week, MLB.com reports.
Clarke has been sidelined since July 22 with a Grade 2 right adductor strain, and he reinjured the same adductor during a rehab game with Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 15. The Athletics have taken a very cautious approach with him since, but he's set to begin running Friday, which could lead to another rehab assignment next week if all goes smoothly. That raises the possibility of the center fielder returning before the end of the season, though the organization will continue to monitor his progress carefully.
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Tyler Mahle SP | SF
Rangers' Tyler Mahle: Making another rehab start
Mahle (shoulder) will make another rehab start Friday, Abby Jones of DLLS Sports reports.
The Rangers had mulled the possibility of activating Mahle from the 60-day injured list this weekend to make an appearance against the Mets, but they've ultimately decided to give him another rehab outing to continue getting stretched out. Mahle struck out three over 2.1 scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, throwing 47 pitches. He's been out since mid-June with a right shoulder strain.
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Yainer Diaz C | HOU
Astros' Yainer Diaz: RBI in three straight games
Diaz went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
Diaz has performed well in September, collecting at least one hit in five of his eight starts while also tallying four doubles. He's hit particularly well since the start of Houston's weekend series against the Rangers, going 5-for-14 with five RBI and a run scored in his last three starts.
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Hunter Harvey RP | CHC
Royals' Hunter Harvey: Rehab slowing down
Harvey (groin) threw a live batting practice session Saturday but experienced soreness afterward, which has slowed his rehab, MLB.com reports.
Harvey's rehab from a Grade 2 right adductor strain, which has sidelined him since Aug. 11, has seemingly hit a setback. Since he was traded to the Royals in July 2024, injuries have been a recurring issue, limiting Harvey to just 12 appearances this season -- all scoreless. It's unclear whether this latest snag will prevent him from returning before season's end or if he can still make it back with the big-league club.
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Carlos Correa SS | HOU
Astros' Carlos Correa: Pops 12th homer
Correa went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
Correa popped his home run in the first inning, bringing his total on the season to 12. He's hit well recently, recording at least one hit in seven of his last eight starts while hitting .278 with two homers, five RBI and five runs scored. Correa continues to hit in a premium spot in the Houston lineup, and he hit third Tuesday night while flipping spots with Jose Altuve.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Another three-hit effort
Alvarez went 3-for-5 with a double Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
Alvarez continued his tear at the plate, as he tallied at least three hits for the fourth time in his last six starts. He has five extra-base hits, five RBI and four runs scored in that span. In 13 games since returning from a hand injury, Alvarez has hit an impressive .444 with three homers, nine RBI and eight runs scored.