MLB Player News

Fernandez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.

The left-handed-hitting Fernandez had started in both of the Rockies' previous two matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll take a seat against Guardians righty Slade Cecconi while Colorado reinserts Brenton Doyle in the lineup following a four-game hiatus. Though the Rockies have been opening up more opportunities for Fernandez of late, he hasn't yet fully seized control of an everyday role just yet. Since getting called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on July 1, the 22-year-old is slashing .213/.229/.255 with a 2.1 percent walk rate and 29.2 percent strikeout rate over 48 plate appearances.

Tovar is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.

Orlando Arcia will get the nod at shortstop while Tovar retreats to the bench in what appears to be a routine day off for the series opener in Cleveland. Tovar had started in each of the Rockies' previous six games, going 4-for-20 with two solo home runs, two walks and two additional runs.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani will make his next start as a pitcher Wednesday against the Reds in Cincinnati, Ken Powtak of the Associated Press reports. "Shohei is going to go on Wednesday and then he'll probably pitch the following Wednesday, so that probably lends itself to the six-man," Roberts said, in reference to his plan to expand the Los Angeles rotation from five starters.

The two-way phenom has made six starts since getting cleared for his Dodgers debut as a pitcher on June 16. After first completing two one-inning starts, Ohtani followed with a pair of two-inning starts, then worked three innings apiece in his last two outings. Assuming Ohtani's usage pattern holds, he'll likely be in line to cover four innings Wednesday, though Roberts indicated that the Dodgers won't have a designated pitcher to piggyback the right-hander like they had in each of his previous six outings. That said, with Blake Snell (shoulder) potentially in line to return from the 60-day injured list later in the week to give the Dodgers seven starting pitchers, Emmet Sheehan could be moved to the bullpen and may be tasked with covering multiple innings behind Ohtani on Wednesday.

Wiggins, who has a strong 2.25 ERA across 36 innings for Double-A Knoxville this season, has benefitted from improved control and a new pitch in his repertoire, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Wiggins posted a 12.4 percent walk rate at High-A South Bend earlier in the year and has lowered that to 10.4 percent since his promotion to Double-A in May. While still a bit high, it's down from the 14.2 percent mark he posted across three levels in 2024. The 23-year-old righty is still touching the upper 90s with his fastball as well, and he's worked in a spiked curveball grip that's given him better control than he previously had with his slider. Wiggins has already struck out 48 batters in his 36 innings for Knoxville, and at this rate, he could move on to Triple-A in fairly short order. The youngster has become the Cubs' clear top pitching prospect and could debut early next year if he continues to show improved control.

Atlanta acquired Carrasco from the Yankees on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Atlanta desperately needs rotation arms as it deals with myriad injuries to starting pitchers, and the club has now acquired Erick Fedde and Carrasco within the last two days to bolster depth. Fedde will join Atlanta's rotation and start Tuesday in Kansas City, and there's a good chance Carrasco will do the same, perhaps as soon as Thursday in Cincinnati. Carrasco -- who would need to be added to the 40-man roster -- has pitched well lately at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, collecting a 2.23 ERA and 21:3 K:BB over 32.1 frames covering his last five starts.

The Rockies optioned Anderson to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Anderson will give up his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Victor Vodnik (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. After getting called up from Triple-A on Friday, Anderson made his Rockies debut in Saturday's 18-0 loss to Baltimore, serving up five earned runs on six hits over one inning of relief.

The Rockies activated Vodnik (personal) from the paternity list Monday.

Vodnik missed the weekend series in Baltimore while welcoming a new addition to the family, but he's back in the Colorado bullpen for the start of a series in Cleveland. The righty has six holds and two saves this season and will continue to work in a high-leverage role for the Rockies.

Cortes (elbow) struck out nine and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk in 5.2 innings Thursday in his latest rehab start for Triple-A Nashville.

Cortes built up to 93 pitches (65 strikes) in what was the fourth and likely final start of his rehab assignment. The veteran southpaw has pitched effectively between his three outings with Nashville and one with High-A Wisconsin, logging a 1.00 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB in 18 innings. Though Milwaukee currently has five healthy starters who are all pitching well at the moment, manager Pat Murphy could be compelled to expand the rotation to six to make room for Cortes, who made just two starts for the Brewers before landing on the injured list April 6 due to a left elbow flexor strain. For his part, Murphy told Sophia Minnaert of FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin on Friday that the Brewers were still deciding on the next steps for Cortes, who could work in long relief if Milwaukee is unwilling to run a six-man rotation.

Gordon is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Guardians at Progressive Field.

The right-hander will be rewarded with a second turn through the rotation after he came through with a quality start last Wednesday, when he was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque. He kept the Cardinals off the board over six innings, earning his second career win while striking out three and scattering four hits and three walks. Gordon will get a favorable draw Tuesday, taking on a Guardians offense that has produced a collective 92 wRC+ (24th in MLB) since the beginning of July.

Bell went 3-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's win over Minnesota.

The veteran first baseman might be on the trade block, and if so, Bell's doing his best to increase his value to a contender. Over 19 games in July, he's slashing .348/.434/.515 with five doubles, two homers, eight runs and nine RBI.