MLB Player News

Beyond him being banged up, the Red Sox haven’t elaborated on what’s wrong with Refsnyder. It sounded like putting him on the IL today was a consideration, but Romy Gonzalez was the choice to go instead. With Refsnyder sitting, Wilyer Abreu is starting against a lefty for the second time this season.

Rashi is merely a depth addition for Minnesota after being removed from Arizona’s roster last week. The 30-year-old has posted a serviceable 5.40 ERA across 20 innings in the majors over the last two seasons. It’s worth noting that he’s compiled some impressive numbers at the Triple-A level in recent years, but that success hasn’t translated into a permanent role at the highest level.

Whitlock has rejoined the Red Sox down in Tampa Bay after wrapping up a minor league rehab assignment with scoreless inning for Triple-A Worcester over the weekend. The 29-year-old could wind up getting the occasional save chance with Aroldis Chapman dealing with a minor hamstring issue that could limit his availability for back-to-back situatuins.

Díaz greeted Red Sox lefty Connelly Early with a leadoff homer before tacking on a key insurance run with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly. It was his 12th long ball of the season. The 34-year-old on-base machine has put together one of the strongest stretches of his career recently, hitting .319 (37-for-116) with eight homers and 24 RBI over his last 30 games. He’s hitting .429 (12-for-28) over his last seven games alone.

Mayer took lefty Ian Seymour deep in the third inning for his third big fly of the year. It was his second homer in five games since the start of June. The 23-year-old former top prospect has played sparingly against left-handed starters this season, which makes it an encouraging development that he was able to take advantage of his opportunity here.

Baker was summoned to guard a two-run advantage in the final frame and needed just 12 pitches (11 strikes) to get the job done. Things got interesting when Wilyer Abreu delivered a one-out single that brought the potential tying run to the plate. However, Baker managed to strike out Willson Contreras and coax a game-ending ground ball from Mickey Gasper to extinguish the threat. He’s the undisputed closer in Tampa Bay right now, having converted 17 of 20 save opportunities this season.

Seymour needed just 55 pitches to navigate four frames after entering Tampa Bay’s starting rotation in place of an ineffective Steven Matz. The 27-year-old lefty didn’t stick around long enough to qualify for a win, but he limited Boston’s offense to just a solo homer by Marcelo Mayer. He struck out five and only issued one walk. There’s some definite streaming appeal when he takes the ball against the Angels on Sunday.

Early was a bit all over the place in this one as he piled up six strikeouts while also walking four, hitting one batter and uncorking a wild pitch. He settled in nicely after serving up a leadoff homer to Yandy Díaz, keeping Tampa Bay off the scoreboard until Jonathan Aranda delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning. The positive news for fantasy managers is that the strikeouts have consistently been there of late with Early topping five strikeouts in five of his last seven starts since May 2. He’ll wrap up a two-start week with a home matchup against the Rangers on Sunday.

Naylor catapulted Seattle ahead for good with a no-doubter to right field off Orioles reliever Anthony Nunez with two outs in the fifth inning. It was his seventh round-tripper of the season and second time he’s gone deep in six contests since the start of June. He’s hitting a robust .333 (8-for-24) with six RBI during that span.

Basallo wound up being involved in a bizarre play where he flew out to deep center field with runners at the corners in the eighth inning and Blaze Alexander was tagged out at second base for an inning-ending double play before a run crossed the plate. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz told reporters earlier on Monday that Basallo has been playing through a lingering wrist issue that they’re optimistic won’t require surgery. He’s day-to-day moving forward.

Alexander made things interesting by socking a run-scoring single into left field off Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo in the eighth inning. The 26-year-old utility specialist has put together an encouraging Orioles debut, hitting .286/.340/.400 with two homers, 18 RBI and seven steals through 56 games.