Welcome back to another week of Rumor Roundup, where we dive into all the recent talk, transactions, and trends from around the league, balancing both fantasy baseball implications and real-world baseball analysis through the lens of a front office.
Featured Story
Pittsburgh Pirates star right-hander Jared Jones took his first steps towards returning to the major league club — a rehab outing with Single-A Bradenton on April 29th — and he did not disappoint. Jones, 24, tossed three perfect innings with five strikeouts (56%). Despite coming off elbow surgery, Jones’ four-seamer SAT 99.1 mph (+2) with 17″ iVB, generating a 42% whiff rate and an elite .049 xwOBA. It was zone effectively at an above average rate of 65%. Here are a few notes additional notes I gathered while watching Jones’ rehab outing:
- It looks like Pittsburgh might have tweaked his changeup. The offering averaged 6″ iVB / 12″ HB at 90 mph in 2024, but jumped to 9″ iVB / 15″ HB at 93 mph (almost like a sinker/splinker-variant) during his rehab outing. This could very easily be a misread but it’s something to keep an eye on.
- His sinker is completely different, registering 12″ iVB / 14″ HB compared to when we last saw him (16″ iVB / 9″ HB).
Injury Updates
The following players have started rehab assignments this week:
- RHP Jeremiah Estrada (SD) — later activated off IL
- RHP Tatsuya Imai (HOU)
- OF Jackson Chourio (MIL)
- RHP Bryce Miller (SEA) — 4 Ks, 10 whiffs through 4 IP… his velo was UP
- RHP Gerrit Cole (NYY)
- LHP Carlos Rodón (NYY)
- RHP Daniel Palencia (CHC)
The following players have been placed on the IL this week:
- OF Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) — calf strain
- INF Max Muncy (ATH) — metacarpal fracture
- RHP Pete Fairbanks (MIA) — nerve irritation
- LHP Garrett Crochet (BOS) — left shoulder inflammation
- OF Luis Robert Jr. Jr. (NYM) — lumbar spine disc herniation
- RHP Matt Brash (SEA) — right lat inflammation
- RHP Ryan Helsley (BAL) — right elbow inflammation
- RHP Brandon Woodruff (MIL) — right shoulder inflammation
Finally, the following players have seen their IL status change this week:
- RHP Phil Maton (CHC) — activated
- RHP Trey Yesavage (TOR) — activated
- OF George Springer (TOR) — activated
- RHP Hunter Dobbins (STL) — activated
Recent Transactions
The following players have been DFA’d this week:
- OF Tommy Pham (NYM)
- RHP Jordan Romano (LAA)
- OF Eloy Jiménez (TOR)
Trades and FA signings from the following week:
- OF Austin Slater (NYM) acquired via FA
- INF Tyler Fitzgerald (LAD) acquired via TOR in exchange for cash
- LHP Doug Nikhazy (CHC) claimed via waivers from CWS
Promotions/demotions:
- RHP Luis Gil (NYY) — demoted
- OF Jasson Domínguez (NYY) — promoted
- RHP Didier Fuentes (ATL) — promoted
- RHP Christian Scott (NYM) — promoted; rocky outing, but 9 Ks through 6.1 IP isn’t the worst way to return
- INF Travis Bazzana (CLE) — promoted; MLB Debut; 31% BB rate but has yet to get his first career MLB hit
- LHP Jake Bennett (BOS) — promoted; MLB Debut; 60% GB rate and just 1 ER allowed vs. Astros through 5 IP… retired Yordan Alvarez all three times
- RHP Luis Mey (CIN) — promoted
- RHP Elmer Rodríguez (NYY) — promoted
- LHP Hunter Barco (PIT) — demoted
- INF Nick Yorke (PIT) — demoted
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) | Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
