MLB Player News

Freeman cleared outright waivers before opting to explore the open market. The 33-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery a few weeks ago and will likely miss the entire 2021 season.

It’ll be the first trip to the majors for Espino, who three years ago was considered one of the game’s top three pitching prospects before being derailed by injuries. Moved to the pen this year, has a 5.30 ERA and a 29/15 K/BB in 18 2/3 innings for Triple-A Columbus. He’s hasn’t pitched on back-to-back days at any point, he’s worked on one day of rest just once and he’s yet to get more than three outs in an appearance this year, so it’s hard to see how he fits right now. Still, he’s dealt with a whole lot, and it’s great to see him get the opportunity.

The 26-year-old hurler elected free agency last week after the Reds sent him outright to Triple-A Louisville. Richardson holds a 4.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 34/14 K/BB ratio over 30 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this season. He’ll add extra bullpen depth for the Brewers.

Senga punched out five batters in the contest while allowing only one base on balls. He threw 75 pitches in the contest (51 strikes), showing no ill effects of the nerve irritation that caused him to miss his last rehab start. It’s possible that the Mets could decide he’s ready to return after this one, though it remains unclear what role he’s going to work in.

Ohtani felt something in his knee during a stolen base attempt on a foul ball earlier in the game on Thursday and the Dodgers wanted to be proactive and give him a few innings off to end the game rather than pushing it. They’ll wait and see how he feels on Friday, but the expectation is that he’ll return to the lineup. Either way, he shouldn’t be looking at any sort of extended absence.

Alonso capped off a six-run uprising off of Bryan Woo in the third inning by ambushing a first-pitch sweeper for a 439-foot (110.6-mph EV) two-run shot. That would be his only hit in four at-bats in the contest. The 31-year-old slugger seems to be enjoying his first season with the O’s, slashing .243/.320/.455 with 15 homers, 44 RBI and two swipes in 303 plate appearances.

Cowser tattooed a 2-1 fastball from Bryan Woo for a 416-foot (108.5-mph EV) solo shot that got the Orioles on the board and tied the score at one run apiece in the third inning. The 26-year-old outfielder is now slashing .227/.311/.397 with seven homers, 23 RBI and two stolen bases across 162 plate appearances on the season.

Rico Garcia was utilized in the eighth inning of this one with Kittredge handling the ninth. The 36-year-old right-hander made it look awfully easy, needing just six pitches (all strikes) to get through the inning — which included Julio Rodriguez reaching on an error. Kittredge has really struggled for most of the season, compiling a 6.75 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 15/4 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings on the season. He’s not going to usurp the closer’s role anytime soon.

Bradish racked up five strikeouts on the evening while issuing three free passes. He served up a solo homer to Cole Young to start the game, then kept the Mariners at bay until the fourth inning where they erupted for four additional runs — including homers from Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone. Bradish got eight whiffs on 85 pitches in the ballgame, registering a CSW of 28 percent. He’ll carry a 3-7 record, 4.30 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP into a rematch against the Mariners in Seattle on Wednesday.

Young started off the game with a bang, crushing an 0-2 slider from Kyle Bradish for a 364-foot (105.3-mph EV) solo shot. He also singled twice in the contest. With his three-hit attack, the 22-year-old infielder is slashing .255/.321/.363 with five homers, 32 RBI and a pair of stolen bases in 281 plate appearances with the M’s this season.

Woo struck out four batters in the contest while allowing one base on balls. He kept the Orioles off the board for the first three innings, but the train came off the tracks in the third as the O’s roughed him up for six runs including a solo homer by Colton Cowser and a two-run blast by Pete Alonso. The 26-year-old hurler got nine swings and misses on 82 pitches on the evening, posting a CSW of 23 percent. Now 5-5 on the season, he’ll tote a 4.28 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 79/15 K/BB ratio (82 innings) into a rematch against the Orioles at home on Thursday.