MLB Player News

Gray underwent Tommy John surgery in late July, so he might have a tough time making it back before the end of this season. The Nationals tendered him over the winter anyway, and they’ll have him under control for two more years beyond this one.

Ramírez ambushed a first-pitch fastball from Orioles’ left-hander Trevor Rogers for a 408-foot (106.2 mph EV) solo shot in the fourth inning that made it a 2-0 ballgame. He then replicated the feat in the fifth, that time belting a 1-1 changeup for a 379-foot (103.6 mph EV) solo shot to left that made it 6-4. With the two-hit attack, the superstar third baseman is now hitting .229/.354/.494 with six homers, 12 RBI and 10 stolen bases on the season.

Brito broke the game open with a two-run double off of Trevor Rogers in the fifth inning that extended the Guardians’ lead to 4-0. He struck out in each of his other three plate appearances in the ballgame — including with the bases loaded and zero outs in the eighth.. For the season, the 24-year-old infielder is now slashing .184/.244/.263 with zero homers, three RBI and a 12/3 K/BB ratio in his first 40 plate appearances.

Rocchio plated Juan Brito with an RBI single off of Trevor Rogers in the fifth inning that extended the Guardians’ early advantage to 5-0. He then tacked on some valuable insurance with a two-out, two-run single in the eighth that made it an 8-4 ballgame. For the season, the 25-year-old infielder is now hitting .254/.359/.418 with three homers and 14 RBI in his first 79 plate appearances.

On the plus side, the 26-year-old southpaw did rack up six strikeouts on the afternoon while issuing three free passes. All of the damage done against him came in the fifth inning, with Taylor Ward’s three-run blast the biggest blow against him. Cantillo got 11 swings and misses on 89 pitches on the day — six of those on his changeup — while posting a CSW of 25 percent. He now holds a 3.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 30/12 K/BB ratio over 25 1/3 innings through his first five starts. He’ll try to get back in the win column when he does battle against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Saturday.

Ward got the O’s on the board with a 394-foot (107.4 mph EV) three-run blast off of Joey Cantillo in the fifth inning, trimming their deficit to two runs at 5-3. The 32-year-old outfielder also singled in the contest. He has done a very nice job in his first year with the Orioles, slashing .295/.388/.445 with a homer, 11 RBI and one stolen base in his first 103 plate appearances.

Walker has been awful in his first few outings, and he’s earned every bit of his 9.16 ERA. Who exactly will be the opener hasn’t been announced — and really doesn’t matter from a fantasy perspective — but the hope is that working a bulk role will allow Walker to be more effective. He still has a chance to earn a win, but fantasy managers should probably look elsewhere for that outing.

Rogers struck out five batters on the afternoon while issuing a pair of free passes. The Guardians scratched out an unearned run against him in the third inning, then broke the game open with four runs in the fourth including a solo shot by Jose Ramirez. Ramirez also tagged him again in the fifth inning. Rogers generated eight whiffs on 95 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of 35 percent. He’ll try to bounce back as he carries a 4.08 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 25/8 K/BB ratio (28 2/3 innings) into Saturday’s showdown against the Red Sox.

Cleavinger took over with a one-run lead in the sixth inning and proceeded to walk the first two hitters that he faced before serving up a three-run blast to Jhonkensy Noel. He then issued another walk before mercifully turning the ball over to the bullpen. The Rays are going to want to see him throw strikes consistently before bringing him back.

The 30-year-old journeyman outfielder was released by the Marlins a couple of weeks ago. He’ll add extra outfield depth at Triple-A Sugar Land for the Astros.

Perhaps this was already a planned day off for Perdomo, but it’s odd to give the slumping infielder a breather after he went 3-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday night against the Jays. Jose Fernandez will start in his place at shortstop and bat third for the Diamondbacks on Sunday.