MLB Player News

When the Rays signed the Cuban import in June, they had an agreement to where they could either sign him to a four-year, $4 million contract this month or give him his release. They’ve decided to do the latter. Ruiz dominated in the Dominican Summer League for the Rays but hit a pedestrian .272/.358/.348 with one homer over 92 at-bats at Double-A. Turning 26 in March, Ruiz should be able to hook on somewhere, but he’ll need to kick his development into high gear.

Alcantara tossed two scoreless innings, then gave up one unearned run on two hits in the third. He settled in for three more scoreless frames, ending his day after six with six strikeouts. It was the first start in which Alcantara allowed fewer than two runs since April 1. The 30-year-old right-hander will carry a 3.53 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 45/20 K/BB ratio across 63 2/3 innings into a start against the Braves in Miami on Thursday.

Martinez was brilliant once again on Saturday, holding the Marlins scoreless over six innings. He scattered five hits and one walk while striking out four batters. Martinez tossed 53 of 77 pitches for strikes and generated six groundouts to quiet the Miami offense. The 35-year-old right-hander has yet to allow more than two runs in an outing. He’ll take a 1.51 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 35/11 K/BB ratio across 53 2/3 innings into a start against the Yankees in New York on Friday.

Ruiz had a big day at the plate in Washington’s blowout win over the Orioles, leading the way with five RBI. He got the scoring started in the second inning with a three-run homer off Chris Bassit. He later added a double in the sixth, then drove in two runs on a single in the seventh. The 27-year-old backstop is up to four homers and 20 RBI while hitting .230/.244/.471 across 90 plate appearances.

House started the day on the bench and entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. He came through with a double to plate a run, then delivered a two-run homer in the eighth. The 22-year-old third baseman has flashed some real power upside, hitting seven homers with 25 RBI while slashing .226/.280/.406 across 168 plate appearances.

The Orioles were blanked over six innings until Basallo finally put them on the board with a leadoff homer off Cade Cavalli in the seventh. The 21-year-old slugger is up to six homers and 17 RBI while slashing a solid .278/.341/.492 across 138 plate appearances.

Cavalli stranded two runners in each of the first two innings before settling in for four more quiet innings. He held the Orioles scoreless over six frames, then ran into some trouble in the seventh. Samuel Basallo and Tyler O’Neill started the inning with back-to-back homers. The third batter would reach before Cavalli recorded the first out. That would end his day at 94 pitches. It was an excellent start for the 27-year-old right-hander despite the late trouble as he struck out eight with no walks. He’ll take a 4.05 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a 52/18 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings into a home start against the Mets on Thursday.

The Angels placed d’Arnaud on the injured list last weekend with plantar fasciitis, and the backstop has been using a scooter to get around. He told reporters that he’ll have a better idea of a timeline once he’s able to put weight on the foot. In the meantime, Logan O’Hoppe and Sebastian Rivero will continue to be the catching options.

Bassitt tossed a scoreless first inning, then served up a three-run homer to Keibert Ruiz in the second. The Nats brought a fourth run in on a pair of doubles in the third. Bassitt followed with a clean fourth, then stranded the bases loaded in the fifth. That would do it for the 37-year-old right-hander, ending his day with a 5.44 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and a 30/19 K/BB ratio across 43 innings. He’ll take on the Tigers in Baltimore on Friday.

Harper put the Phillies on the board right away with a three-run blast off Bubba Chandler in the first inning, continuing a hot May with his fifth homer in the month and 11th of the season. The 33-year-old first baseman is hitting 283/.378/.548 with 27 runs scored and 29 RBI across 193 plate appearances.

Turner knocked a base hit to lead off the game and scored on a three-run homer by Bryce Harper. He then drew a walk in the second and scored a second time on a Kyle Schwarber double. Turner would collect an RBI of his own on a double in the eighth. The 32-year-old shortstop is hitting .237/.289/.344 with four homers, 28 runs scored, 14 RBI, and six steals across 201 plate appearances.