Mining the News (6/5/25)

American League

Astros

• Jacob Melton will not play every game, and when he does, it’ll be against righties.

“We’re taking it a little slow with the groin. We were playing [Jacob Melton] four days a week in the minor leagues and it kind of fits here,” Brown told the team’s pregame radio show.

“He’s probably going to come up here and face right-handers, gives us that left-hand bat we’ve been looking for. We don’t have to play him here every day, but we’re gradually going to break him in and see what he can do.”

Blue Jays

• Andrés Giménez will be the everyday second baseman, Ernie Clement moves to third, and Addison Barger to the outfield.

Giménez, who went on the IL with a right quad strain on May 9, was in the No. 9 spot on Tuesday. The three-time Gold Glover is expected to play “pretty close to every day” at second base, according to manager John Schneider. That means Ernie Clement — who filled in brilliantly for Giménez at second — will return to third base for most of his starts, while Addison Barger should see more time in right field after taking over third in Giménez’s absence.

“At first it’ll be pretty close to every day,” Schneider said of the lefty-hitting Giménez. “With two lefties [starting for the Phillies], we’ll probably give him one day off this series, just to kind of get his feet underneath him a little bit. But as he progresses, yeah, he’s good. He’s [pretty much] an everyday player for us.”

Rangers

• The outfield situation will be set by production, not seniority.

The decision to bench García was part of the Rangers’ evolving approach under president of baseball operations Chris Young. He emphasized that playing time in a crowded outfield that now includes Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, Alejandro Osuna, Sam Haggerty and García will be determined by production, not reputation.

Being benched could have been a shock for García, a player with an impressive track record who has delivered at the highest levels. But Bochy said García approached it with professionalism and determination during the adjustment period.

White Sox

• Catching prospect Kyle Teel has been working at first base.

Catcher Kyle Teel, who was named Minor League position player of May for White Sox, said he also has been working at first base taking ground balls pregame the last couple of days.

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) June 2, 2025

National League

Braves

• Marcell Ozuna will play through a hip injury.

Something to monitor…

Alex Anthopoulos says Marcell Ozuna is playing through a hip injury that will need to be managed for the rest of the season.
“It’s one of those things he is going to have to manage and get to the offseason.” #Braves pic.twitter.com/ce87xGZmjB

— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) June 2, 2025

Giants

• Bryce Eldridge’s first base defense is holding him back.

While Eldridge is viewed as an advanced hitter, he’s still learning the ins and outs of first base, a position he only started to play full time last year. Eldridge has been working hard to get up to speed defensively, but the Giants want to make sure he gets enough reps and is a capable fielder there before they consider calling him up to the big leagues.

Phillies

• Andrew Painter will debut in the majors after the All-Star game.

The plan has always been for Painter to make his MLB debut in “July-ish.” Thomson may have provided a bit more clarity recently on when exactly we might see Painter in the big leagues.

While the situation remains fluid, Thomson indicated that the club plans to use the All-Star break — which runs from July 14-17 — to let Painter rest and recharge.

Asked if Painter could make his MLB debut prior to that stretch, Thomson said: “I don’t think so.”

• Taijuan Walker will permanently move to the bullpen.

The club also announced on Sunday that Mick Abel (No. 8 prospect) will rejoin the rotation on Thursday, moving Taijuan Walker to a permanent bullpen role. Abel, who tossed six scoreless innings in his May 18 MLB debut, is 6-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 10 starts with Lehigh Valley this season.

Pirates

• Nick Gonzales will get starts at shortstop. In most formats, he’s only qualified at shortstop.

Gonzales can also bounce around as needed. Third base isn’t in the mix right now, but half of Gonzales’ reps during his rehab assignment were at shortstop. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has provided stability at that spot, but it’s worth keeping in mind as the Pirates find themselves with a bit of a logjam in the infield.