Chicago Cubs shortstop prospect Ed Howard made his season debut for High-A South Bend on Tuesday and went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Howard, 21, was the Cubs first-round pick in 2020, but his early career has been mired with several injuries thus far. Howard's return this time was from hip surgery that ended his 2022 campaign in May. Despite his injury history stunting his development early on, Howard appears to have fully recovered and will get plenty of time on the field for South Bend. Howard's always has had strong defensive skills, but it has been his bat that has needed development to take the next step. For now, he is nothing more than a name to file away in the deepest of dynasty leagues.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Emerson Hancock put together an impressive performance for Double-A Arkansas on Tuesday evening. The first-round pick of 2020 went six innings and allowed four hits, one walk, no runs and struck out seven. Hancock, 24, has battled injuries since being drafted sixth overall a few years back and that has stalled his development. With him fully healthy so far in 2023, Hancock has put together a better season than his 5.44 ERA would suggest over 11 starts. Much is because he has allowed 30 runs on the season, but 23 of those runs have come across three dreadful starts. Provided that he remains healthy, Hancock should take a jump to Triple-A this season and if that goes well, the right-hander may get a shot with the big-league club this summer. He's worth monitoring in redraft leagues with his biggest value being in dynasty leagues.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres catcher prospect Ethan Salas went 1-for-5 with his first professional home run for Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday. Salas, 17, has been a big name in prospect circles over the past few months and the Padres decided to let him skip Rookie Ball when they placed in him Single-A last week. By far the youngest player at his level, Salas has held his own in the early goings with six hits and a stolen base to go along with his home run on Tuesday in his first 20 at-bats. The Padres are very high on Salas and that is evident of the fact that he spent time with the big-league club in Spring Training. The young Venezuelan has already shown strong defensive skills and projects to be a rare five-tool backstop in the future. Despite the excitement, Salas is still far away from the big leagues, but managers in dynasty leagues should take a serious look at the youthful catcher of the future for the Padres.

From RotoBaller

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio went 2-for-5 with a double and pair of stolen bases for Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday. The 19-year-old is one of the youngest players at his level, but has held his own thus far with a .256 batting average to go along with eight homers, 33 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Although it's unlikely that he will be promoted in 2023, he remains one of the top prospects in all of baseball with his ability to provide value across the board. Managers in dynasty leagues should already be rostering the young talent, but those in redraft leagues can ignore for now. If the Brewers were to shock the world and promote him, he should be treated as an immediate add with his immense potential and ability to help in multiple categories.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds first base prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand remained hot on Tuesday with a 3-for-4 performance that saw him hit his 15th homer of the season for Triple-A Louisville. He also doubled, walked and scored twice. The slugger continues to impress on the farm and is hitting .352 with a ridiculous 1.124 OPS. Between an impressive spring that has translated into a red-hot season in Triple-A, Encarnacion-Strand has proven that he is ready to take on the next step of his career at the big-league level. First baseman Spencer Steer has held his own at the big-league level for the Reds, but with their recent promotions of pitching prospect Andrew Abbott and shortstop Elly De La Cruz, Encarnacion-Strand figures to be next in line for a promotion. Although Steer could take time away at first base, the slugger should still be able to make an impact, possibly at designated hitter. Managers in redraft leagues should stash the big power bat as managers in all formats await his promotion.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays' SP Kevin Gausman recorded 13 strikeouts in 7 innings with the win in a 5-1 win over the Astros on Tuesday, Jun. 6.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert earned the win on Tuesday when he allowed one run on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts over seven innings in a 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres. This was an excellent bounce-back start from the 26-year-old who was blasted for seven runs in his last start against the Yankees at home. While the Padres lineup may not be playing up to its potential, it's still an intimidating one. Gilbert did not back down on Tuesday, throwing 61 of his 97 pitches for strikes, including 14 swinging strikes. Fernando Tatis Jr. was the only blemish on his line tonight as he drove in Rougned Odor with an RBI groundout in the third inning. The solid effort by Gilbert lowers his season ERA to go along with a 0.96 WHIP and 79:13 K/BB ratio over 12 starts (71 innings). He'll look to add another win to his 4-3 record when he faces the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Oakland Athletics' 3B Jace Peterson had five RBIs going 5-for-5 with two home runs in a 11-2 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Jun. 6.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz picked up a hold on Tuesday when he allowed no hits and struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning in a 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres. Appearing in his first game since April 7 due to a shoulder strain and facing his former club, the Padres, Munoz looked sharp. As expected, he was immediately thrown into a high-leverage situation when he entered in the bottom of the eighth inning with the M's clinging to a 4-1 lead. He got Matt Carpenter to fly out then struck out Ha-Seong Kim and Fernando Tatis Jr. to end the inning. He hit 100 mph with his fastball on the final pitch to Tatis Jr. Munoz should get the occasional save opportunity for Seattle but for now, he'll serve as the setup man for closer Paul Sewald, who earned the save on Tuesday. Munoz owns a 0.00 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 5:1 K/BB ratio over 4 1/3 innings of relief on the year.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Paul Sewald earned the save on Tuesday when he allowed a single and a walk to go along with a strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning in a 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres. Per usual, whenever he has a decent lead, Sewald pounded the strike zone when he came out for the ninth inning. It got a little dicey off the bat, though, as he allowed a single to Juan Soto and then walked Gary Sanchez after striking out Manny Machado. The drama subsided soon afterward as he punched out Jake Cronenworth and then induced a Brandon Dixon ground ball to end the game. It's worth noting that Andres Munoz returned to the Seattle bullpen tonight and worked a scoreless eighth inning before handing it over to Sewald. Munoz may snipe the occasional save from Sewald but his presence should help the veteran closer overall. For the season, the 33-year-old reliever owns a solid 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 35:8 K/BB ratio over 25 1/3 innings to go along with 12 saves.

From RotoBaller

Colorado Rockies 1B C.J. Cron (back) is showing steady progress in his rehab program and is expected to resume baseball activities in the next week.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout in a 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. J-Rod helped put the M's on the board in the top of the third inning when he singled and eventually scored off a Ty France two-run base knock. He then added to Seattle's slim lead in the top of the eighth inning when he took relief pitcher Steven Wilson deep to the upper deck in left field with a 436-foot home run. Rodriguez has been hot over his last 15 contests, batting .349 with a .962 OPS and four home runs. For the season, the dynamic 22-year-old is slashing just .246/.304/.442 but does have 11 home runs, 33 RBI, and 12 stolen bases over 240 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Mariners outfielder Teoscar Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI, and a strikeout in a 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Hernandez broke up a 1-1 tie in the top of the sixth inning when he muscled a Brent Honeywell offering over the wall in center field. The 30-year-old slugger would then add to Seattle's lead in the top of the eighth inning when he singled in Ty France. It's been an up-and-down season so far for Teo but he's collected nine hits over the last seven games and seems to be heading in the right direction. For the season, he's slashing .246/.283/.422 with 10 home runs, 32 RBI, and three stolen bases over 232 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout in a 6-4 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday. The 25-year-old had a rather quiet night at the dish, only picking up one hit and failing to score a run. However, he did extend his modest hitting streak to five games and has now reached safely in 8-of-10 contests. Acuna Jr. has been nothing short of amazing through the first 1/3 of the season and should continue to do so. He's slashing a sterling .329/.404/.558 to go along with 12 home runs, 32 RBI, and 26 steals over 240 at-bats in the season.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox OF Adam Duvall (wrist) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Friday, June 9, according to manager Alex Cora.

Cleveland Guardians SS Amed Rosario (knee) missed his second straight game Tuesday, June 6, due to soreness in his left knee.

Houston Astros INF Jose Altuve (oblique) missed his fourth consecutive game Tuesday, June 6, due to a sore oblique. He's expected to return Wednesday, June 7, per manager Dusty Baker.

Toronto Blue Jays 3B Matt Chapman (foot) was not in the lineup Tuesday, June 6, after having an ingrown toenail removed earlier in the day.

Seattle Mariners INF J.P. Crawford (knee) was back in the lineup Tuesday, June 6, after missing a game with a bruised right knee.

San Diego Padres INF Xander Bogaerts (wrist) is expected to return on Friday, June 9, according to manager Bob Melvin, though he did not rule out Bogaerts for Wednesday, June 7.