MLB Player News

Long emerged as a solid bullpen option for the Giants back in 2022, posting a 3.61 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 33/14 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings which included six starts and 22 relief appearances. He was unable to keep that momentum going last year in Oakland, registering a 5.60 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 32/21 K/BB ratio in 45 innings. Just 28 years old, Long had enjoyed success in the Giants minor league system, so he will be hoping to recapture some of that in another fresh start.

Estrada has been a workhorse in the Padres’ bullpen and a valuable member of their setup crew in front of closer Mason Miller, so his absence will definitely hurt the Padres in the short term. Fortunately for them, Jason Adam was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move on Friday to take his place. No word yet on how long Estrada is expected to be shelved for.

The 22-year-old backstop did his damage off of White Sox’ starter Davis Martin in the seventh inning, launching a first-pitch cutter for a 425-foot (113.7 mph EV) solo shot that increased the Royals’ lead to 2-0. That would be his only hit on the night but it played a critical role in the victory. On the season, Jensen is now slashing .229/.282/.600 with four homers and seven RBI on the season.

The 25-year-old superstar opened the scoring in the ballgame as he plated Maikel Garcia with an RBI double off of Davis Martin in the fourth inning, giving the Royals a lead that they would never relinquish. That would be his only hit in four at-bats on the evening. He’s still searching for his first home run and has only scored one run on the season, but Witt is slashing a healthy .283/.361/.340 with five RBI and a league-leading eight stolen bases.

Erceg needed just 10 pitches to dispatch of the top three hitters in the White Sox’ lineup. He has been running away with the closer’s gig since Carlos Estevez landed on the injured list and at this point he’s not likely to surrender it easily when Estevez does return. He has successfully converted each of his first four save chances while posting a 3.18 ERA over six innings of work.

Bubic allowed just two hits and one walk in the ballgame. He carried a no-hit bid into the fifth inning until Lenyn Sosa smacked a leadoff double, but Bubic rallied and stranded him right there. He generated 17 swings and misses on 88 pitches on the evening — seven of those on his fastball — while posting a strong CSW of 34 percent. He’ll attempt to keep the good times rolling as he carries a 2.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 23/7 K/BB ratio (18 innings) into Thursday’s showdown against the Tigers in Motown.

Sosa collected one of just two White Sox’ hits in the ballgame, with his fifth-inning double being the lone extra base hit for his squad. He has had a very rough go at the plate in the early going, slashing just .160/.160/.240 with three RBI and a 5/0 K/BB ratio in his first 25 plate appearances.

Martin punched out three batters on the night and didn’t allow a base on balls. He allowed an RBI double to Bobby Witt Jr. in the fourth inning then served up a solo shot to Carter Jensen in the seventh inning. Unfortunately, the White Sox couldn’t score for him so that was enough to hand him a loss. Martin got 13 swings and misses on 82 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 28 percent. He’ll bring an impressive 2.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 15/4 K/BB ratio (18 innings) into Thursday’s matchup against the Rays.

As far as injuries go, that’s at least a breath of fresh air that it wasn’t arm related. Prior to exiting, Holmes had allowed just one run on five hits over 5 1/3 innings while issuing three walks and striking out three. Whether or not he’ll require a trip to the injured list — or be available for his next start — will likely depend on how he responds to treatment and how he’s feeling over the next couple of days.

Holmes had pitched into the sixth inning when he was met on the mound by the training staff after allowing a one-out single to Jacob Wilson. After a brief discussion the decision was made to pull him from the game. No word yet on what the issue is, but he’ll head for further evaluation. Expect the Mets to provide an update on his status after the game.

There had been speculation that he could be replaced after he had his start skipped on Saturday, but it was just a case of the Brewers utilizing an off day to adjust their rotation. It sounds like he’ll slot back in at some point next week and is available out of the Brewers’ bullpen on Friday.