Caleb Durbin hits two-run homer in Boston’s win

Whitlock returns to Boston’s high-leverage mix for Saturday’s critical doubleheader against the division-rival Yankees. The 30-year-old setup specialist wound up requiring just a minimum stay on the injured list with elbow inflammation. He’s forged a sparkling 2.05 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 49/7 K/BB ratio across 44 innings of work this season.

Olds collected his first career win and allowed just four runs across six innings of work in his first taste of the majors after being promoted earlier this month. The 27-year-old rookie figures to return in a couple weeks as middle relief depth.

Max Fried (elbow) will be activated from the injured list prior to the nightcap of Saturday’s twin bill at Yankee Stadium. Beck provides New York’s bullpen with a fresh arm after Cam Schlittler and three relievers combined on a five-hit shutout during Friday’s pivotal series opener.

Lee was back patrolling right field and hitting fifth following a two-game absence due to an elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch earlier this week. He picked up his 11th stolen base of the season and reached safely in two of his four plate appearances. He’s graded out as a reliable top-30 range fantasy outfielder this season, hitting .289/.328/.422 with 61 runs scored, nine homers, 47 RBI and 11 thefts in 497 plate appearances. He’s on track to play nearly a full season for the second straight year after being limited to just 37 games due to injury in his stateside debut back in 2024.

Bichette wound up missing just one game after fouling a ball off his left foot against the Brewers earlier this week. He hasn’t exactly exceeded expectations in his Mets debut, but hasn’t been a total disaster either, slashing .262/.309/.390 with 64 runs scored, 14 homers, 66 RBI and one steals in 572 plate appearances.

Bauers walked three times and reached base safely in all five of his plate appearances after missing three games due to shin splints earlier this week. The unheralded 30-year-old masher has been an unexpectedly solid fantasy contributor, delivering borderline top-10 value among outfielders this season. He’s hit a robust .275/.389/.504 with 78 runs scored, a career-high 23 homers, 75 RBI and 10 steals in 481 plate appearances. Score one for the “old and boring veterans in the late rounds of a draft” strategic approach.

DeLauter has been battling a lingering left hamstring issue that cost him six games over the past two weeks. The 24-year-old rookie is probably going to have to manage the ongoing problem for the final month of the season, but appears likely to avoid the injured list for now.

Rutschman returned to Boston’s lineup following a two-game absence for precautionary reasons due to an elbow issue. Unfortunately, the Red Sox had zero answers (once again) for Yankees emerging ace Cam Schlittler, who combined with three relievers on a five-hit shutout in Friday’s series opener.

Alexander was back in Baltimore’s lineup after missing six weeks with a fractured hand. There’s plenty of competition for at-bats with the Orioles, but he figures to play regularly between several defensive spots against left-handed starters for the final month of the season.

At this point, it’s nearly impossible to predict what comes next for the two-way superstar. Ohtani could potentially take the ball as an opener for Sunday’s series finale against the Tigers, with Tyler Glasnow following in a bulk-relief role, or the Dodgers could push him back to Tuesday’s series opener against the Cardinals. His return to Los Angeles’ rotation feels imminent, even if the exact timing remains murky. There should be some much-needed clarity by the end of the weekend.