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  • Merrifield starting at 2B for Phillies on Monday
    Whit Merrifield will start at second base for the Phillies on Monday against the Giants.

    Advice: Bryson Stott will slide to shortstop to accommodate Merrifield in the starting lineup against a right-handed pitcher. In the first two games without Trea Turner, the Phillies turned to Edmundo Sosa at shortstop and allowed Stott to remain at second base, but Sosa went 2-for-9 in those games, so the team may be looking to see what else can work. Stott didn’t play any shortstop last year with Turner in Philadelphia, but he did play 658 innings there in 2022 and graded out slightly below average. If the Phillies feel that he can handle shortstop again, that could mean extra at-bats for Merrifield, who hasn’t been great to start his career in Philadelphia. Rotoworld 7 minutes ago
     
  • Resumes drills
    Jones (back) did throwing and running drills ahead of Saturday's game against the Pirates, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Jones had been shut down for a few days since landing on the injured list Tuesday. Manager Bud Black acknowledged that Jones is progressing each day, and the current expectation is that he will be able to return by mid-May. Rotowire.com 8 minutes ago
    Nolan JonesCOL - 1B,OF
    New Player Note
    IL10
     
  • Expected to avoid surgery
    General manager Ben Cherington said he expects Gonzales (forearm) to pitch again this season, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Gonzales received a second opinion during the final week of April. The Pirates haven't disclosed the exact diagnosis, but Cherington said "conservative treatment" is currently the right path for Gonzales. He has yet to begin throwing and will likely be sidelined for at least the first half of the campaign. Rotowire.com 14 minutes ago
     
  • Showing power in regular role
    Singleton went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run Sunday against the Mariners.

    Advice: Singleton has started six straight games since Jose Abreu was optioned to the minors and has tallied all three of his home runs for the season in that span. He's gone 6-for-20 overall across those six contests while striking out at just an 8.7 percent clip. With Abreu out of the picture and Joey Loperfido getting his playing time in the outfield, Singleton appears to have the first base job to himself for the foreseeable future. Rotowire.com 18 minutes ago
     
  • Report: Royals reached out to ask for Arraez
    The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the Royals contacted the Marlins last week to discuss trading for Luis Arraez before the infielder was dealt to the Padres

    Advice: Rosenthal was quick to note that those talks “never advanced beyond the preliminary stage"; however, it’s interesting that the Royals even made the phone call because it tells us that the team is looking to capitalize on their fast start to the season which sees them just 2.5 games behind the Guardians in the AL Central. However, another interesting aspect of this is where the Royals may be looking to upgrade. Michael Massey has been pretty good at second base since coming off the IL and Vinnie Pasquantino is locked in at first base, so the Royals must have felt that Arraez could fill the DH spot, which means either Nelson Velazquez or Hunter Renfroe could be on notice in the midst of a slow start to the season. Rotoworld 18 minutes ago
     
  • Takes loss against Mariners
    Hader (1-3) allowed a solo home run and struck out one to take the loss Sunday against the Mariners.

    Advice: Hader entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4. He retired the first batter he faced but then served up the go-ahead homer to Cal Raleigh. Hader had turned in three consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run prior to Sunday, though he's now been charged with at least one run in six of his 15 appearances. Rotowire.com 23 minutes ago
     
  • Resumes throwing
    Poche (back) threw on flat ground Sunday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Poche had been shut down since hitting the injured list April 26, after receiving an injection in his back and resting for several days. He's projected to return in mid-May barring any setbacks, suggesting he may not need a rehab assignment. Rotowire.com 26 minutes ago
    Colin PocheTB - RP
    3:50 pm vs CWS
    New Player Note
    IL15
     
  • Faces high leverage situation
    Treinen pitched a clean eighth inning while striking out a batter to secure a hold in Sunday's 5-1 win over Atlanta.

    Advice: Treinen entered to begin the eighth with the Dodgers holding onto a 4-1 lead and retired Jarred Kelenic, Ronald Acuna & Ozzie Albies in order, needing just 11 pitches to get through the frame. It's clear right off the bat that Treinen has the trust of manager Dave Roberts in high leverage situations and could be in the mix for the Dodgers' closer committee while Evan Phillips (hamstring) is sidelined with a hamstring strain. Rotowire.com 27 minutes ago
     
  • Still throwing side sessions
    Garcia (elbow) completed most recent bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Garcia was cleared to resume throwing off a mound in the middle of April and has remained at the same stage of his recovery program for three weeks. The Astros haven't indicated that Garcia has experienced any setbacks in his recovery from his May 19, 2023 Tommy John surgery, so the right-hander could soon be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. Houston is hopeful to get Garcia back from the 60-day injured list at some point around the middle of the season. Rotowire.com 32 minutes ago