MLB Player News

Swanson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Swanson provided the key blast of the game, helping the Cubs break a 1-1 tie with his 16th home run of the season in the sixth inning. The shortstop has been playing well lately with a .293 batting average, two home runs, seven RBI and seven runs scored over his last 10 games. Swanson is a fairly consistent performer who plays nearly every day, giving him a safe fantasy floor heading into the All-Star break.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that he believes Sasaki (shoulder) could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around late August, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Roberts noted that Sasaki is pain-free and was able to throw his first bullpen session Friday since he landed on the injured list May 13, but the Dodgers nonetheless appear content to take a slow and deliberate approach with ramping the rookie back up as he recovers from a right shoulder impingement. Sasaki is scheduled to throw another side session Monday, and he could be another week or two away from facing hitters in live batting practice before heading out on what will presumably be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. Given his poor numbers (4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP in 34.1 innings over eight starts) prior to landing on the shelf, Sasaki may not be in line for a spot in the Los Angeles rotation once he returns from the 60-day IL.

Busch went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Busch batted leadoff for the first time all season, and he made the decision look good right away by belting his 19th home run of the year to start off the game. Ian Happ has been Chicago's leadoff man for most of the season, but the team has experimented with both Nico Hoerner and now Busch the past few days. It will be interesting to see how Chicago structures its lineup coming out of the All-Star break. A move up to No. 1 for Busch on a more permanent basis could allow him to score more runs but would likely decrease his RBI output.

Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to secure the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Palencia was needed to put out a fire Saturday, retiring the final two batters of the game to record a save, but he had a more conventional appearance Sunday. The righty came on for the full ninth inning with the Cubs up three runs, and he retired New York in order on 14 pitches to pick up his 12th save of the season. Palencia has emerged as Chicago's clear top closer, and he's been lights-out in the role with a 1.57 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 39 strikeouts across 34.1 innings. Given how well the Cubs are playing, Palencia figures to see plenty of save chances moving forward, which boosts his fantasy profile.

The Brewers announced that Frelick was removed from Sunday's game against the Nationals due to left hamstring discomfort. He went 1-for-2 with a stolen base and an RBI prior to departing.

Frelick sustained the injury in the top of the third inning on a sliding catch of a flyball in foul territory. The Brewers will presumably send Frelick in for further testing during the All-Star break to determine the severity of his hamstring strain, but given the nature of his injury, the 25-year-old could be at risk of landing on the injured list. Frelick heads into the second half with a .294/.354/.404 slash line to go with seven home runs, 17 stolen bases, 46 runs and 39 RBI through 93 games.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

After starting behind the plate in three of the Friars' previous four contests, Maldonado will get a breather for the final game before the All-Star break. Elias Diaz will step in at catcher for the Padres on Sunday.

Kepler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

After exiting Wednesday's 13-0 win over the Giants with a bruised shin, Kepler was cleared to start in both of the Phillies' first two contests in San Diego, going 0-for-5 with a pair of walks and a run scored between those games. Though the lefty-hitting Kepler isn't believed to be dealing with any setbacks, he'll be held out of the lineup against a right-hander (Nick Pivetta) on Sunday in what looks to be nothing more than a rest day with the All-Star break on the horizon. Otto Kemp will cover left field in Kepler's stead.

Cabrera received encouraging MRI results on his right elbow Sunday and may not require a trip to the injured list, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

The right-hander exited his most recent start in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles due to posterior right elbow discomfort, but follow-up testing doesn't appear to have revealed a significant injury. The All-Star break will provide Cabrera with some extra rest, though it's not yet clear if he'll be ready to take the mound when his turn in the rotation first comes up in the second half.

Bohm (ribs) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

As expected, Bohm won't start in the Phillies' final game before the All-Star break after he was lifted from Saturday's 5-4 loss in the fourth inning, two innings after he was hit on the left rib cage by a pitch. According to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bohm wasn't sent in for an X-rays after team trainers determined that he avoided a fracture, but the 28-year-old is still dealing with some residual soreness and bruising on his rib. Manager Rob Thomson didn't rule out the possibility of Bohm making a pinch-hitting appearance Sunday, though the Phillies would probably prefer to stay away from using him. Edmundo Sosa will fill in for Bohm at third base.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Though he'll head to the bench Sunday while the right-handed Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the hill for the Dodgers, the left-handed-hitting Smith appears to be the Giants' preferred option at first base over Wilmer Flores, who re-enters the lineup for the series finale. Smith had started in each of the Giants' previous five matchups with righties, while Flores was held out of the lineup for all of those games. The two are likely to continue forming a loose platoon at the position until designated hitter Rafael Devers is deemed ready to make his debut as a first baseman.