MLB Player News

Washington took a leave of absence in late June due to health concerns with Ray Montgomery taking over as the Angels interim manager. The 73-year-old told reporters he underwent a quadruple bypass earlier this summer. The iconic skipper plans to continue managing and will return to the helm next season after making an effort to quit smoking and improve his diet. We’re relieved that he’s healthy and feeling better following the major procedure. His presence should help stabilize the Angels next season.

Martin struck out nine and allowed five baserunners while throwing 105 pitches. He’s been a different pitcher to begin 2026. Martin added a cutter and re-designed some breaking pitches. His slider, in particular, has been a difference-maker and entered the outing with a 59% whiff rate on 93 pitches. The pitch models aren’t fully buying in, but his advanced metrics show enough for him to be a must-start option at home against the Cubs next time out.

Domínguez only threw 12-of-23 pitches for strikes. He has the worst strike rate in the team’s bullpen but now has nine of their 12 saves on the season. Grant Taylor still isn’t being used like a closer-in-waiting, so the expectation remains that this is Domínguez’s job to lose.

Gilbert allowed one hit and didn’t walk anyone, and he now has 52 Ks in 44 innings this year. His K% is down a bit, but Sunday’s performance was a step in the right direction. Seattle’s crowded rotation might transition to a six-man at some point, but Gilbert is lined up for a home matchup against the Padres this week.

The White Sox managed just one hit in Logan Gilbert’s six innings of work. Antonacci has now hit leadoff against six consecutive right-handers, a favorable lineup slot ahead of Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas, and Colson Montgomery. The White Sox are lined up for six games this week, five of which project to be righties.

Naylor got off to a slow start this year, but he’s 14-for-36 (.389) to begin May. His bat speed is down so far, but his track record warrants patience in all formats. He’s also running at the same rate as he did between Arizona and Seattle last year, already at seven thefts entering mid-May.

He did give up seven hits, and he really should be racking up strikeouts against Low-A hitters. Still, this is encouraging. Rodriguez is already up to 94 pitches already, so the Angels could, theoretically, add him to their rotation at any time. However, he’s not their current year’s first-round pick, so they’ll probably want him to face more advanced competition first.

Walt Weiss said he was optimistic it wouldn’t prove to be a significant injury. The Braves traded Jonah Heim when Murphy came off the injured list, so Chadwick Tromp would seem to be their third catcher once again.

White robbed Max Muncy in the sixth and then exited the game at the start of the eighth inning. If White goes on the concussion IL, then the Braves could bring up Nacho Alvarez until they’re ready to active Ha-Seong KIm.

Rodriguez, who had never had a complete game in 242 career starts, was supposed to be done after eight, but he talked manager Torey Lovullo into sending him back out. He just couldn’t do so for a second time after giving up a weak flyball single with one out in the ninth. It was just the fourth hit allowed by Rodriguez. He only had four strikeouts and six whiffs on 48 swings, but he obviously didn’t need them against the lineup the Mets are currently running out against lefties. At 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA on the season, he might seem like a reasonable pickup, but we still dislike the career-low 16.5 percent strikeout rate and the career-high 11 percent walk rate. He’ll face the Rockies in Coors next weekend.

The runs came in the sixth after an Andy Ibáñez error got things started for Arizona. Peterson retired the next two batters, but he gave up three straight hits afterwards. It probably oversells how well he’s pitched, but Peterson has a 1.69 ERA in four appearances (16 innings) as a bulk reliever. He’s 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA in his five starts. He should face the Yankees next weekend.