MLB Player News

Rodriguez suffered three gashes on his hand when the Twins’ Danny Valencia caught him with his spikes on a stolen base attempt during Thursday’s game. “He got me good,” said Rodriguez. “I tried to grip my bat and I can’t do it, so I don’t know. I’ll see how it feels tomorrow.” With Brendan Ryan also out of the lineup, Kyle Seager made the start at shortstop Friday night against the Rangers.

Aranda came up big for the Rays in the third inning. He stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second and got just enough of a Miles Mikolas changeup to slice it down the left field line and bounce it off the foul pole for a 313-foot homer, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead. It was the 12th homer of the season for Aranda, who continues to put together a career year in his fifth big league season.

The 31-year-old backstop was signed to a minor league deal at the start of April. He hit a terrific .279/.371/.590 with 10 homers and 22 RBI in 140 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. Given the overall lack of quality catching depth around the league, he shouldn’t be out of work for long.

Abrams wasted little time getting the Nationals on the board. Leading off the top of the second inning, Abrams blasted a cutter left over the middle of the plate 433 feet into right center to put the Nationals up 1-0. It was the 15th homer of the season for Abrams and his third homer this month. Abrams has cooled off a bit after a hot April and May, but he continues to have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs batting as the Nationals’ cleanup hitter.

Jax struck out two of the first three batters he faced to start the game, but gave up a solo homer to C.J. Abrams to kick off the second inning, putting the Rays down 1-0. Jax would again fall victim to the long ball in the third inning, this time via a solo homer from Luis Garcia Jr. to push the Nationals’ lead to 2-0. Jax would settle after that, pitching two straight innings of scoreless ball while retiring the next seven batters he faced after the Garcia homer. This was the first time Jax had allowed an earned run since June 1st, when he allowed six earned runs against the Tigers. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Royals.

Poulin got the nod as the opener for Friday’s game after Cade Cavalli (illness) was scratched from his scheduled start. Poulin was effective in his limited outing, allowing just one hit over two scoreless innings while also striking out a batter. Poulin has made nine starts as an opener this season and has allowed just three earned runs over his last 14 innings pitched, dating back to May.

The Tigers trailed by a run entering the sixth inning when Dillon Dingler smacked a leadoff single and Riley Greene worked a one-out walk. Carpenter then blooped a two-run double into center just in front of the outstretched glove of a diving Tristan Peters. That proved to be the difference in the ballgame. On the season, the 28-year-old slugger is now slashing .234/.313/.497 with 10 homers and 29 RBI in 166 plate appearances.

Vierling tagged White Sox’ opener Brandon Eisert for a 408-foot (103.6-mph EV) two-run shot in the opening inning that gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead. That would be his only hit in the contest. It has been a rough season overall for the 29-year-old outfielder, slashing .201/.260/.348 with five homers and 25 RBI.

The 38-year-old hurler wasn’t messing around in this one, needing just 10 pitches (six strikes), including a strikeout of Tristan Peters to end it. Jansen has now converted seven saves on the season while posting a 4.32 ERA and a 21/9 K/BB ratio over his 16 2/3 innings of work.

The star southpaw punched out eight batters in the contest while issuing only one free pass. He served up a solo homer to Randal Grichuk in the first inning that was tucked just inside the foul pole in left. The White Sox then scratched out a run against him in fifth and Junior Perez added a solo shot in the sixth. Skubal got 13 swings and misses on 94 offerings in the ballgame, posting a strong CSW of 35 percent. He’ll try once again to earn his fourth victory as he carries a 3.02 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 57/8 K/BB ratio (53 2/3 innings) into Wednesday’s battle against the Yankees.

Perez collected his first career hit with a two-out single off of Tarik Skubal in the fourth inning. He was then caught trying to steal second base. The 24-year-old outfielder then broke a 2-2 tie with a 375-foot (101.6-mph EV) solo shot off of Skubal in the sixth inning. That would wind up being the extent of the White Sox’ offense though. Perez finished the night 2-for-3 and with memories that he’ll cherish for the rest of his life.