MLB Player News

The Heisman Trophy winner issued a statement on Monday saying that he is “firmly and fully committing my life to becoming an NFL quarterback.” Rosenthal writes that while the statement “caught the A’s off-guard,” the club was always “willing to allow Murray to participate in both the combine and draft and gather as much information as possible before making his decision.” It still seems highly unlikely that Murray will play baseball, but it’s always possible he flops at the combine and his draft stock tumbles, perhaps leading to a change of heart. The A’s also have the ability to offer Murray a major league contract with no financial restrictions, whereas an NFL team would be limited in what they can offer.

No word yet on the reason. Pasquantino was replaced by Nick Loftin at first base with Michael Massey taking over at second. There should be an update on his status shortly. He was 1-for-2 with a walk prior to exiting.

Soderstrom was replaced by Carlos Cortes in left field after a diving catch attempt in the fifth inning. He finished 0-for-2 at the dish. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Judge knocked a base hit in the first inning and scored the first run of the game on a double by Cody Bellinger. He later extended the Yankees’ lead in the ninth with a solo blast off Cole Winn, a 424-foot shot. The home run ties him for the MLB lead at 12. The 34-year-old star is hitting .262/.392/.645 with 25 runs scored, 20 RBI, and five steals to go with the dozen homers across 131 plate appearances.

Wells knocked a base hit in the fifth inning, then gave the Yankees an insurance run in the seventh with a solo homer off Jalen Beeks. The 26-year-old backstop is up to three homers while slashing .200/.345/.343 with six runs and five RBI across 87 plate appearances.

Bednar worked through some trouble for the second straight night in Texas. He was given a three-run lead to work with in the ninth for the save chance. After one quick out, an error put a runner on base before Danny Jansen tripled to bring home a run. Bednar then hit a batter, then allowed a base hit to cut the lead by one and put the tying run on second. He finally escaped with a ground-ball double play for his ninth save of the season.

Montgomery’s ninth homer of the season gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The 24-year-old also singled and improved his slash to .236/.341/.509. Montgomery’s swing-and-miss issues make hitting for average unlikely, but the power is readily apparent, and makes him a potential fantasy star.

Schlittler continues to be lights out on the mound. He held the Rangers scoreless over six frames on Tuesday, scattering three hits and two walks. He saw the most danger in the sixth inning, when he allowed the first two batters to reach on a hit and a walk. Schlittler struck out the next batter and induced a popout and a flyout to escape the jam, ending his day at 92 pitches while striking out eight on 17 whiffs. The 25-year-old right-hander will take a 1.51 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and a 49/6 K/BB ratio across 41 2/3 innings into a start against the Orioles in New York on Monday.

Romo hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and a solo shot in the sixth. The former top catching prospect has his first two homers as a member of the White Sox, but he isn’t likely to hit much more as the backup backstop.

DeGrom surrendered a run to the Yankees in the first inning on two hits. He locked in on the mound from that point, going five more scoreless frames while giving up just one more hit and no walks with five strikeouts on 13 whiffs. The 37-year-old right-hander has gone five straight starts allowing one run or fewer. He ends his day with a 2.01 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 40/7 K/BB ratio across 31 1/3 innings. DeGrom lines up for a rematch against the Yankees in New York next Tuesday.

Pérez started the game on the bench with the Tigers facing left-handed starter Martin Perez. Javier Baez started in centerfield while Matt Vierling began in right field. Baez appeared to suffer a significant ankle injury, which brought Pérez into the game. While the home run was an encouraging sign for Pérez, Baez’ injury could potentially open up playing time for the 26-year-old outfielder. The Tigers have used Pérez as a regular before and with Parker Meadows also sidelined, Pérez, Vierling and Riley Greene are the only players with experience in centerfield currently on the Tigers 26-man roster. Pérez is worth adding in AL-Only leagues right away.