MLB Player News

Rainey has posted a 6.58 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 22:18 K:BB through 26 innings with zero wins, saves or holds in 25 appearances.

A brutal start to the season is still tainting his ratios, but Rainey has actually been an effective relief arm for the last couple months. Over his last 12 appearances dating back to May 21, the 31-year-old right-hander has been scored upon only once, and he's compiled a 2.77 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through 13 innings over that stretch. Despite that improvement, Rainey is still a shell of the pitcher he was prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022. His 93.7 mph fastball average is a far cry from the 97.0 mph he was dialing up in 2022 before his elbow gave out, and his days as a viable high-leverage bullpen option appear to be over.

Weems has posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 32:19 K:BB through 38 innings with one win and four holds in 37 appearances.

The converted catcher was a fairly reliable bullpen option for the Nationals in 2023, but Weems has regressed nearly across the board this season, with his 18.7 percent strikeout rate and 9.2 percent whiff rate being career lows. The 31-year-old righty hasn't picked up a hold since late April, and that seems unlikely to change in the second half.

Garcia has posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB through 32.2 innings with one win and 11 holds in 41 appearances.

The 28-year-old southpaw's ratios on the season aren't impressive, but they disguise the improvements he's made of late. Garcia has been scored upon only once in his last 12 trips to the mound, delivering a 0.97 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 10.1 innings during that stretch. He's the only left-hander in the Nationals' bullpen at the moment, but Garcia is emerging as a reliable high-leverage option for manager Dave Martinez, which should lead to more holds in the second half.

Ottavino has posted a 4.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 47:13 K:BB through 35 innings with one win, one save and 13 holds in 36 appearances.

The Mets' bullpen issues early in the season caused manager Carlos Mendoza to lean heavily on Ottavino, but the workload appears to have caught up with the 38-year-old righty. While his 30.7 percent strikeout rate is among the better marks in his career, Ottavino's 42.4 percent groundball rate is his lowest since he was pitching for the Rockies in 2017. He's also recorded only one of his 13 holds over the last month, as younger relief arms like Dedniel Nunez and Reed Garrett (elbow) have moved into high-leverage roles. If the Mets add further bullpen reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline, Ottavino's usage as a setup man for Edwin Diaz could decline even further.

Cronin has posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 49:17 K:BB through 46 innings with one win, two holds and zero saves over 33 appearances.

Claimed off waivers over the winter, Cronin gave the Marlins some quality innings early in the season in a low-leverage role. The league may have figured the right-hander out however -- over his last 12 appearances, he carries a rough 8.27 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. Cronin's biggest strength is a 54.5 percent groundball rate, but he's still been somewhat fortunate to have allowed zero homers so far in 2024. If that luck runs out, further regression could be coming for his ERA. Even if Miami ships out high-leverage relievers like Tanner Scott by the trade deadline, Cronin seems unlikely to take over a prominent role.

Hernandez defeated the Royals' Bobby Witt, 14-13, in the final round of the 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on Monday.

The 31-year-old became the first Dodgers player to win the Home Run Derby in the event's 38-year history and took home a $1 million prize. A first-time participant in the Home Run Derby, Hernandez secured the final spot in the semifinals after his opening-round total of 19 home runs trailed the Phillies' Alec Bohm (21), the Guardians' Jose Ramirez (21) and Witt (20). Hernandez then survived a swing-off with Bohm after the two tied with 14 home runs in the semifinals before he narrowly edged out Witt in the finals. Hernandez is slated to start for the National League in center field in Tuesday's All-Star Game and will bat eighth.

Bummer has posted a 3.62 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB through 32.1 innings with two wins, zero saves and zero holds through 33 appearances.

Acquired from the White Sox in the offseason to bolster Atlanta's relief corps, Bummer hasn't been able to claim a high-leverage role in a much deeper bullpen than he was part of in Chicago. The southpaw has been effective at keeping the ball in the park, serving up only one homer despite a 54.9 percent groundball rate that's his lowest mark since he was a rookie in 2017. Barring a rash of injuries ahead of him in the pecking order, Bummer will likely continue working in middle relief in the second half, limiting his fantasy value even in formats that use holds as well as saves.

Tauchman (groin) began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Monday, starting in right field and going 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

Tauchman is coming up on the one-month mark of his ongoing absence from a left groin strain but has been cleared to play in rehab games. The 33-year-old might not quite be ready to return from the 10-day injured list when the Cubs return to action Friday versus the Diamondbacks, but he shouldn't require too much time to get ramped back up. Once activated, Tauchman should return to seeing regular starts in the outfield or at designated hitter against right-handed pitching.

The Mets activated Peterson (personal) from the paternity list Monday.

Peterson was away from the club for its final series before the All-Star break against the Rockies, but he'll be back on the roster for the start of the second half Friday in Miami. The Mets haven't revealed their post-break rotation plans yet, so it's not clear when Peterson's first start of the second half will come.

Atlanta sent Ynoa (elbow) to the rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Ynoa will be making his first appearance since he was shut down in mid-April with a right elbow stress reaction. The right-hander is on Atlanta's 60-day injured list, but he should eventually get optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett once he completes his rehab assignment. Ynoa hasn't pitched at the major-league level since 2022, having missed all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery.