MLB Player News

Sears scattered four hits on the afternoon and didn’t allow a base on balls. In what turned out to be a tremendous pitcher’s duel between Sears and Mariners’ right-hander Bryan Woo, the M’s finally broke through as Julio Rodriguez clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer with one out in the sixth inning. That was all the damage done against Sears, but it was enough to stick him with the loss. The 29-year-old southpaw got 11 whiffs on 79 pitches on the day, posting a strong CSW of 35 percent. He’ll draw a difficult assignment his next time out, taking on the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday.

Wilson has gone 2-for-12 at the plate in four contests since kicking off a rehab assignment last weekend. The 24-year-old shortstop is working his way back from a shoulder injury and figures to be ready to return later this week.

Edman drew another start at second base as he continues to work his way towards his season debut. The 31-year-old has gotten 11 games under his belt at the Triple-A level as he works his way back from offseason ankle surgery.

It sounds like there’s a chance Rutschman is ready to return to Baltimore’s lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Mariners. The 28-year-old backstop has sat out two consecutive games due to a lingering hamstring issue. It sounds like he’s trending in the right direction and won’t require a trip to the injured list.

Young allowed just two hits on the evening, dropping his ERA to 3.04. Jake Rill of MLB.com notes the Orioles are now 9-1 in games he starts this season. Additionally, Young recently revamped his splitter, and he’s thrown four straight quality starts. He’ll look to make it five in a row with a rematch against the Mariners next time out. That one will come in pitcher-friendly Seattle.

Kirby walked three in the 104-pitch outing. His 10 punchouts mark a season high as the right-hander hadn’t previously struck out more than seven in a game this season. Kirby had made it through five scoreless before allowing three runs in the sixth, but he at least escaped with a quality start intact. He draws a rematch with the Orioles next time out, this one at home.

The homer was his 14th of the year, keeping him on track to hit over 30 for the sixth straight season. Alonso might not match the numbers he put up with Juan Soto beside him last year, but he remains remarkably consistent. He’s started every game for Baltimore this season after playing in all 162 in each of the past two years.

The long ball was his only hit of the contest. The former top prospect is slashing just .220/.319/.424 through 20 games this year, though patience is warranted given his age and return from injury. Baltimore eased him into the everyday lineup after he was activated from the IL, but he’s now started in eight straight. The long-term upside is still present, but Holliday has yet to force his way into the fantasy conversation in shallower formats.

Kirk played eight innings behind the plate during his latest rehab contest and appears to be trending towards a return to Toronto’s lineup at some point later this week. The 27-year-old backstop has been working his way back from thumb surgery back in early April.

Brooks returns stateside after a brief stint with the Kiwoom Heroes in Korea, who jettisoned him a few weeks ago to sign Keston Hiura. The 30-year-old provides Houston with some additional depth at Triple-A Sugar Land after injuries forced the club to bring up some reinforcements earlier this week.

Rafael Flores Jr. took over behind the plate after Rodríguez went 0-for-3 before departing. The timing is a bit complicated for the Pirates with Henry Davis away on paternity leave for the next couple days. It’s possible the club will have to promote someone from Triple-A Indianapolis on an emergency basis if Rodríguez is unavailable for Thursday’s series finale.