MLB Player News

Hillman didn’t allow a run, walked two and struck out eight. A second-round pick in 2015, Hillman hasn’t had the same level of success as some of the other picks Cleveland made that year, but there’s still reason for optimism. Both the fastball and change are above-average, and the curveball has made some progress. The command still has a ways to go, and he needs to do a better job of keeping the ball in the park (13 homers allowed already). He doesn’t have elite upside, but he definitely has a chance to be a starter at the next level.

Mayer made a prominent base-running mistake during the ninth inning of Friday’s lopsided defeat, but he’s been one of the few bright spots for the Red Sox recently, hitting .300 (6-for-20) with a pair of RBI over his last seven games. The 23-year-old former top prospect is hitting just .222/.296/.365 with one homer and one steal through 22 games overall. It’ll be veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa at the keystone on Saturday afternoon to face Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers.

Not great. Anthony hasn’t played since Tuesday due to a lingering back issue. It’s worth noting that the Orioles have tough lefty Trevor Rogers on the mound for Saturday afternoon’s matinee, so he might’ve been on the bench regardless of his health status. It’ll be struggling Jarren Duran in left field in his place. The 21-year-old showed flashes of superstar potential when he reached the majors last year, but he’s gotten off to a brutal start this season, hitting .225/.361/.325 with one homer, four RBI and two steals through 22 games. He’s presumably day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale.

Akin returns to Baltimore’s high-leverage mix behind closer Ryan Helsley after missing the opening month of the season with a groin strain. The 31-year-old southpaw has compiled a strong 3.36 ERA across 142 innings spanning 130 appearances for Baltimore over the last two seasons.

Foster heads back to the minors with veteran reliever Keegan Akin back from the injured list. The 27-year-old rookie has posted a serviceable 6.35 ERA and 7/5 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings across four appearances for the Orioles this season.

It’ll be made up as a doubleheader at Citi Field on Sunday instead. Saturday’s original starters — Jose Quinatana and Kodai Senga — will presumably take the ball during Sunday’s twin bill instead.

Kurtz walloped a 115.9 mph leadoff homer against Rangers veteran Nathan Eovaldi for a leadoff homer, his second straight contest with a round-tripper, as part of another multi-hit effort. The 23-year-old slugger has gone deep in three of his last four contests and appears to be rounding back into his previously elite form following an excruciatingly slow start to the year. He leads the majors with 28 walks through 25 games.

It appears opposing teams have learned their lesson and are starting to pitch Wood a bit more cautiously since he’s drawn a staggering nine walks over his last four games. He’s also homered three times during that span, so he’s still getting plenty of pitches to drive. The 23-year-old franchise cornerstone is off to a phenomenal start, slashing .250/.409/.595 with a major-league leading 1.005 OPS to go along with 10 homers, 21 RBI and four steals in 27 games.

Aranda victimized Twins starter Taj Bradley for a pair of solo shots, joining teammate Junior Caminero as the first duo with multi-homer efforts in the same game for the Rays since 2021. The 27-year-old first baseman is up to six big flies in 25 games to open the season.

Manaea has consistently topped three innings over six relief appearances this season and holds a pedestrian 4.66 ERA across 19 1/3 innings of work during that span. There’s been zero indication that the Mets are considering moving him back to the rotation despite Kodai Senga and David Peterson scuffling in addition to Christian Scott getting lit up in his return to the majors earlier this week.

Basallo got in on the fireworks display for Baltimore’s offense, taking Red Sox starter Brayan Bello deep in the third inning. The 21-year-old rising star punctuated the 395-foot blast with an impressive bat flip to celebrate his fourth long ball of the year. He’s going through the typical ebbs and flows that a young catcher deals with as they acclimate to life in the majors, but he’s supremely talented and in a prime situation to excel. It’s only a matter of time before he hits his stride.