Player Notes

  • Rejoins bullpen
    The Twins recalled Alcala from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: The club had previously optioned Caleb Boushley and now have announced Alcala as his replacement on the roster and in the bullpen. In eight appearances this season, Alcala has collected a 3.27 ERA and 10:6 K:BB. He figures to be utilized in middle relief. Rotowire.com 1 minute ago
  • Might lose roster spot
    Meneses could be optioned to Triple-A Rochester when Lane Thomas (knee) is ready to come off the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

    Advice: The 32-year-old has been an everyday player for the Nationals this season between first base and DH, but he's managed just a .234/.299/.299 slash line in 43 games with two homers and 24 RBI. Victor Robles is the more likely candidate to get booted from the 26-man roster to make room for Thomas, but Robles is out of minor-league options and would have to be exposed to waivers, while Meneses could be optioned to Triple-A without any risk of losing him. Jesse Winker would likely become the primary DH in that scenario. Rotowire.com 40 minutes ago
  • Roster spot in jeopardy
    Robles could be placed on waivers when Lane Thomas (knee) is deemed ready to come off the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

    Advice: Jacob Young has become the everyday center fielder, and while Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker have been erratic at the plate, they could have trade value later in the season if they heat up at the right time. That leaves Robles, who doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, as the odd man out in the Nationals' outfield. The 27-year-old has done little to justify keeping him on the 40-man roster though, batting .087 (2-for-23) when he's been healthy in 2024. If the front office decides his defensive value as a fifth outfielder is worth keeping around though, Joey Meneses could be optioned instead. Rotowire.com 44 minutes ago
  • Plays nine innings Thursday
    Thomas (knee) went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts for Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday while playing all nine innings in right field.

    Advice: It's the first time in three rehab games that Thomas has played a full nine innings. The 28-year-old is 2-for-9 at the plate in those three contests with a double and a stolen base, and per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, the Nationals are considering whether to activate him Friday or leave him on his rehab assignment for another couple days to get his timing back at the plate. When Thomas does come off the IL, however, he should immediately slot back into the starting lineup in right field for Washington. Rotowire.com 50 minutes ago
  • Picks up second hold
    Pop worked a scoreless seventh inning Thursday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Tigers.

    Advice: Entering the game to protect a two-run lead, Pop needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to set down the middle of Detroit's batting order. The right-hander has been effective since his promotion in late April, posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB in 10 innings, but he could be the pitcher who gets bumped out of the big-league bullpen when Chad Green (shoulder) comes off the IL. Rotowire.com 59 minutes ago
  • Stays hot in Thursday's win
    Bichette went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI in Thursday's win over the Tigers.

    Advice: All three knocks were singles, but they continued a hot streak for Bichette that has seen him reel off multiple hits in three of the last four games and five of the last nine. Since May 8, the All-Star shortstop is slashing .380/.426/.580 with four doubles, two homers, one steal, six runs and nine RBI in 13 contests. Rotowire.com Today, 7:41 am
  • Slugs ninth homer
    Varsho went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's rout of the Tigers.

    Advice: His seventh-inning long ball off Jack Flaherty broke open what had been a 1-1 pitchers' duel, sending the Blue Jays on their way to an eventual 9-1 victory. Varsho has five multi-RBI performances in the last nine games, and on the season he leads Toronto in both homers (nine) and RBI (27) despite an unimpressive .213/.303/.458 slash line. Rotowire.com Today, 7:38 am
  • Goes yard again on rehab stint
    Murphy (oblique) went 2-for-6 with a double, a home run and two RBI for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

    Advice: The rehabbing catcher got the start at designated hitter and launched a solo shot off Valente Bellozo in the fourth inning, Murphy's second home run in two games for Gwinnett. Atlanta may want to make sure he's ready for regular defensive duties before activating him from the IL, but based on how he's looked at the plate, the 29-year-old should be back with the major-league team at some point this weekend. Rotowire.com Today, 7:31 am
  • Four hits in win
    Mountcastle went 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

    Advice: Mountcastle recorded hits in each of his first four at-bats, marking only the second time this month in which he's scored two runs in a contest. The first baseman saw his batting average jump 16 points with his fourth multi-hit performance this month, though he hasn't driven in a run since May 8. Mountcastle is also yet to draw a walk in May while striking out 17 times. Rotowire.com Today, 7:31 am