MLB Player News

The 19-year-old Emerson went 2-for-17 with a homer and a 3/4 K/BB in big-league camp. Seattle’s top prospect, he’ll probably open up this season back at high-A Everett and finish it in Double-A. Kitchen was the one guy here with a slim chance of making the Mariners, but he gave up seven runs in four innings.

Suárez was straight up lights-out in this one. The lone run he allowed came via a home run by Connor Norby on a 2-1 cutter that bled a little bit too far over the heart of the plate. Otherwise, he was virtually unhittable. Suárez owned the low-and-away corner with his sinker, changeup, and curveball against the Marlins’ all right-handed lineup. They barely made any hard contact and never came close to sustaining a rally. Those eight strikeouts were also a season-high. He’ll take a gorgeous 2.20 ERA and 6-1 record into a challenging two-start week with games against the Astros and Braves, both on the road.

It felt like Strahm was about to blow this thing. He allowed a double and single off the bat to cut the Phillies’ lead to 4-2. Then, another single to bring the tying run to the plate. Nick Fortes put a ride into one with two outs that looked like it could bounce off the wall before Nick Castellanos – defensive standout – leapt to make the catch and end the game. Strahm and Orion Kerkering are jockeying for saves in the Phillies’ bullpen with them alternating the team’s last three save opportunities.

Stott came through with the elusive combo meal with his fifth home run and 12th stolen base of the season. He ambushed a first-pitch fastball right down the middle by Adam Mazur to give his Phillies a four run lead they’d never relinquish. He’s hit just .209 over his last 30 games, so maybe this one can get him going.

Norby’s solo homer was the extent of the Marlins’ offense in this one against Ranger Suárez and until a bit of a rally in the ninth inning. It’s been a bit of a disappointing season to this point after missing the first chunk of the season with an oblique strain. This home run was just his fourth to go along with six stolen bases and a .673 OPS.

As expected, Mazur struggled with the strong Phillies lineup in his Marlins debut. He didn’t have great command of either his slider curveball and in turn, often fell behind left-handed batters. A rough fourth inning did him in which he allowed all four of his earned runs and culminated in a rare home run from Bryson Stott. He has a shot to stick in this rotation for a bit with recent injuries to Max Meyer and Ryan Weathers. If he does, his next start is scheduled to come on the road against the Giants.

Scherzer scattered one hit and a pair of walks, throwing 48 of 75 pitches for strikes in an extremely impressive rehab outing. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect was that he averaged 92.5 mph on his fastball and topped out at 94 mph in this one. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer has been on the shelf since late March working his way back from a persistent thumb issue, but he appears to be ready to rejoin Toronto’s rotation next week.

Shildt added that King has not kicked off a full-fledged throwing progression and remains limited to throwing lightly at this stage in his recovery. The 30-year-old fantasy ace hit the injured list back in late May with a pinched nerve in his right shoulder. Fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate him making it back until at least late July, even in a best-case scenario.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that this would likely be Montas’ final rehab outing before the club decides his future. He finished with only two strikeouts and threw just 80 pitches (47 pitches). There’s an opening in New York’s rotation next week with Tylor Megill (elbow) facing a multi-week absence, but it’s unclear whether Montas will get the call to fill the spot given the results during his rehab outings. He’s coughed up a staggering eight home runs over 18 2/3 innings during six rehab starts, which is less than ideal.

Javier is aiming to make it back to Houston’s rotation at some point in the second half. The 28-year-old righty has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery and figures to be ready to kick off a lengthy rehab assignment in late June or early July.

Houck was lifted after issuing a leadoff walk in the second inning after throwing 32 pitches (18 strikes) in his rehab debut. The 28-year-old righty will need a couple additional outings to continue building up his stamina and pitch count before returning to Boston’s rotation. He’s been out since mid-May due to a forearm flexor strain.