MLB Player News

It’s a marvel Paxton’s ERA remains a respectable 3.49 despite the same exact number of walks and strikeouts through nine starts. The five wins are nice and a byproduct of pitching for the Dodgers, but the bottom can and will fall out from under Paxton at any moment if he can’t strike more batters out.

The Astros scratched out a run in the opening inning as Altuve singled, took second on a wild pitch and raced around to score on a single off the bat of Yordan Alvarez. He then clobbered a game-changing 402-foot (101.9 mph EV) three-run shot off of Kenta Maeda with two outs in the second inning that proved to be the difference in the ballgame. Altuve finished the afternoon 2-for-3 plus a walk and a stolen base and is now slashing a healthy .299/.350/.460 on the season to go along with 11 homers, 29 RBI and 10 stolen bases on the season.

The 30-year-old hurler racked up eight strikeouts in the contest while issuing three free passes. He carried a bid for a perfect game into the fifth inning where he issued a two-out walk to Gio Urshela. He then walked Akil Baddoo and Carson Kelly to load the bases before getting Zack McKinstry to fly out to end the threat. Those would be the Tigers’ only base runners against him. Blanco got 15 swings and misses on 94 pitches on the day — eight of those on his changeup — while registering an elite CSW of 41 percent. He’ll look to replicate this fine effort as he totes a 7-2 record, 2.43 ERA and 0.97 WHIP into Sunday’s showdown against the Orioles.

Ibanez did what he does best — mash left-handed pitching — crushing an RBI double off of Josh Hader that plated Mark Canha from first base with the Tigers’ first run in the ballgame. On the season, the 31-year-old infielder is now slashing .274/.304/.400 with a pair of homers, 16 RBI and a stolen base in 102 plate appearances.

The 36-year-old right-hander also issued a pair of walks on the day while recording only one strikeout. He surrendered an RBI single to Yordan Alvarez in the opening inning, then was victimized by Jose Altuve for a two-out, three-run homer in the second inning. Maeda finished his day with three scoreless frames, but the damage had already been done. He got 10 swings and misses on 94 pitches in the ballgame, posting a CSW of 23 percent. He’ll carry an uninspiring 6.02 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 36/18 K/BB ratio (49 1/3 innings) into Saturday’s matchup against the White Sox.

The 24-year-old hurler got good news this week when an MRI on his injured forearm came back clean. He’s now ready to return to action and shouldn’t have any restrictions going forward. Woo has posted a stellar 1.07 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and a 24/2 K/BB ratio across 33 2/3 innings through his first six starts with the M’s this season.

The 23-year-old outfielder sustained the injury while making a throw from the outfield during Sunday’s game. While the exact nature and severity of the injury are not yet known, the fact that he’s heading for an MRI exam isn’t encouraging. If it’s an oblique issue, a stint on the injured list seems like a near certainty. Fantasy managers should be sure to have a contingency plan in place for next week.

Gilbert recorded 21 whiffs and nine strikeouts in one of the best outings of his still rather young career. He’s 12-for-15 giving the Mariners quality starts this year, which would seem to warrant better than 4-4 record. His 2.93 ERA ranks 15th in the majors, but his 0.92 WHIP places fifth.

Dunning’s K rate this year has been quite encouraging — he’s fanned 67 in 59 innings — but the extra homers and extra walks he’s given up have made him a far less effective pitcher than he was last year. If he remains in the rotation and has more luck with homers, he still might be a factor in mixed leagues after the break. However, if all goes as the Rangers hope and they get to add Max Scherzer, Tyler Mahle and Jacob deGrom to the rotation, Dunning could finish the year in the pen.

Ty France’s return is just around the corner, but Locklear is making a case to stick around afterwards as a platoon DH, even if his 12/1 K/BB in 29 plate appearances is hideous. After all, he’s now tied for third on the Mariners with his two homers. Not truly, but you believed it for a second, didn’t you?

Taveras was a league-average hitter through two months, but this slump has him all of the way down to .211/.281/.322. At this rate, the Rangers might have to think about adding another outfielder prior to the trade deadline.