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Stats

Rotoworld

Darnell McDonald

CHC Outfield

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Darnell McDonald homered and doubled Thursday against the Cardinals.

McDonald might have been left out of Boston’s plans with a completely healthy roster, but he’ll likely make the team and see plenty of action early on if Carl Crawford starts on the DL as expected. He certainly hasn’t hurt his case by starting 8-for-16 with two homers this spring.
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- Darnell McDonald
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Framber Valdez

DET Starting Pitcher #59

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Framber Valdez picked up his fifth quality start of 2026 on Thursday in Atlanta, striking out eight over six innings of two-run ball in the eventual 5-2 win.

Valdez allowed six hits and didn’t walk anyone for the first time this year, tossing 99 pitches in the outing. He was in line for the loss when exiting, but Detroit’s lineup went on to score four of its five runs against the Braves’ bullpen. This outing will go a long way toward improving his season-long K-BB%. He’ll face the Red Sox at home next time out.

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Robert Jr. placed on 10-day IL with back issues

April 30, 2026 01:27 PM

James Schiano discusses Luis Robert Jr. making another trip to the injured list and what that means for the floundering Mets.

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Kyle Finnegan

DET Relief Pitcher #67

Kyle Finnegan earned his first save of the season in Thursday’s 5-2 win over the Braves.

Finnegan threw 29 pitches on Wednesday, but the Tigers asked him for 17 more on Thursday and he delivered. The appearance lowered his ERA on the year to 0.57, though his underlying metrics are quite shaky. Kenley Jansen has taken the loss in his past two appearances, including a blown save on Wednesday, so the ninth inning could be more of a committee going forward. Drew Anderson is the only other Tigers pitcher with a save this season, but that was of the three-inning variety.

Recap

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Bryce Elder

ATL Starting Pitcher #55

Bryce Elder received a no-decision on Thursday against the Tigers, allowing one earned on six hits and three walks over six innings pitched.

Elder struck out five, lowering his ERA to 1.88 on the season. While there’s some obvious regression coming eventually, it’s worth pointing out that Elder has mixed up his arsenal this season, adding a cutter while decreasing his sinker usage. Pitching models still aren’t buying it, but his ERA estimators mostly are. Elder leads a wounded Atlanta rotation in innings this year. He’ll look to keep rolling in Seattle next time out.

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Matt Vierling

DET Center Fielder #8

Matt Vierling stuffed the box score in Thursday’s matinee victory over the Braves, going 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

Vierling plays against all lefties but has been splitting center field reps with Wenceel Pérez against right-handers. There’s CF playing time up for grabs with Parker Meadows and Javier Báez both sidelined, but Detroit is unlikely to suddenly turn Vierling into a true everyday option. He’s best deployed in DFS and daily lineup formats when facing a southpaw.

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Gleyber Torres

DET 2nd Baseman #25

Gleyber Torres went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday’s 5-2 win over the Braves.

The RBI was a sac fly in the eighth that put the Tigers up for good. It’s been a strange start to the season for the veteran second baseman, who continues to display strong plate discipline skills but without the batted ball results he produced last season. Notably, his bat speed is down several mph compared to the past few years, and his average exit velocity was in the 1st percentile entering Thursday. He continues to serve as an everyday, top-of-the-order bat for now.

Recap

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Austin Riley

ATL 3rd Baseman #27

Austin Riley went hitless and struck out three times in the Braves’ 5-2 loss to the Tigers on Thursday.

Riley is now batting .190/.274/.314 through his first 135 plate appearances of 2026. It’s a disappointing start for a player who appeared locked in this spring and who many expected to bounce back if health cooperated. He was recently dropped to sixth against right-handers.

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Michael Harris II

ATL Center Fielder #23
Braves’ manager Walt Weiss told reporters after Thursday’s loss that the plan is for Michael Harris II (quad) to serve as the team’s designated hitter for the remainder of the road trip.

Weiss wouldn’t dismiss the possibility of a trip to the injured list though if the 25-year-old outfielder doesn’t show any improvement. It sounds like Eli White may continue to patrol center field at least through the weekend.
Related
- Eli White
Source: Mark Bowman

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Adley Rutschman

BAL Catcher #35
Adley Rutschman is not in the starting lineup for the second game of Baltimore’s doubleheader with the Astros on Thursday.

He did enough damage in the first game. Samuel Basallo will get the start and bat fifth for the Orioles as they look to sweep the proceedings on Thursday against RHP Lance McCullers Jr.
Related
- Samuel Basallo
Source: MLB Lineups

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Andrew Abbott

CIN Starting Pitcher #41

Andrew Abbott picked up his first win of the season in Thursday’s 6-4 win over the Rockies, pitching six innings of two-run ball while striking out five.

Abbott surrendered five hits and two walks in the outing, including a homer off the bat of Tyler Freeman. This was his first quality start since Opening Day, ending a challenging stretch for the 26-year-old southpaw. Abbott’s whiff rate on his four-seamer has been down to begin this season, and that remained an issue against Colorado. The matchup likely helped his bottom line, but things will get tougher next time out against the Cubs in Wrigley.

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Jose Altuve

HOU 2nd Baseman #27
Jose Altuve isn’t in the starting lineup for game two of Houston’s doubleheader against the Orioles on Thursday.

Neither is Carlos Correa. The Astros will roll with a double play combination of Brice Matthews at second base and Braden Shewmake at shortstop against RHP Brandon Young.
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Source: MLB Lineups

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