The Yankees are expected to recall outfielder Spencer Jones. His arrival, along with the presence of Aaron Judge, will make New York the first team with two position players 6’7″ or taller, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Maybe the Knicks should give them a call.
1. Diaz reaches 1K
Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz bounced a double over the wall in the ninth inning against the Red Sox on Thursday. It was the 1,000th hit of the 34-year-old’s career. Diaz became the 20th Cuban-born player to reach the milestone. “I really didn’t think I was going to get to this point,” Diaz told reporters, including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, through an interpreter. “So just to be in that list of guys, and obviously the Cuban names as well, is such a great honor.” Diaz didn’t become a full-time player until his late 20s, but he’s put together several productive seasons with the Rays. He’s hit at least .281 in each of the past four years and secured a batting title in 2023.
2. Lodolo to make season debut
Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo is set to start on Friday against the Astros. The 28-year-old opened the season on the injured list due to a blister. Finger-related injuries have been a persistent problem for Lodolo. He missed time in 2024 with a blister. He had two stints on the IL last season, first for a blister, then for a finger sprain. Lodolo was excellent in three rehab outings, posting a 1.50 ERA with a 38.6% strikeout rate. The lefty was a key contributor in Cincinnati’s rotation last season. He delivered a career-high 156 2/3 innings of a 3.33 ERA. His strikeouts ticked down, but he also trimmed the walk rate to an elite 4.8%.
3. Snelling reaches the big leagues
Top prospect Robby Snelling will make his big-league debut tonight against the Nationals. The young lefty put together a stellar 2025 campaign, capped off by a dominant stretch at Triple-A. Snelling has continued to pitch well at the highest minor league level this year, piling up 44 strikeouts in 29 innings. It seems unfair that Jacksonville opponents have had to deal with Snelling, Thomas White, and Braxton Garrett. The 22-year-old gets a surprisingly tough draw in his first career start. Washington ranks fifth in OPS and fourth in wRC+ against southpaws this year. The club is fourth in scoring.
Photo courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images
