MLB Player News

Abrams just missed out on Super Two eligibility a year ago, so he was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He hit .257/.315/.433 with 19 homers and 31 steals as the Nationals’ shortstop last season. Questions persist about his defense, which is partly why he’s come up in trade rumors, but the Nationals figure to give him one more year to improve his glovework before considering a move to second. He might actually be best in the outfield, but the team has a pretty crowded situation there.

It’s notable that Rutschman is back behind the plate for Saturday afternoon’s matinee at Camden Yards after handling the catching duties during Friday night’s matchup where he went 3-for-5 with two homers and six RBI. Clearly, the Orioles want to keep his red-hot bat in the lineup, but it’s a bit surprising he’s not at DH. The decision likely puts Samuel Basallo, who also homered during Friday’s blowout, in line to catch Sunday’s series finale.

O’Neill was activated prior to Friday’s series opener but didn’t end up making an appearance. The 30-year-old slugging corner outfielder wound up missing just over two weeks with a concussion. He’s back in right field and hitting fifth in his first game action since April 8.

Mayer made a prominent base-running mistake during the ninth inning of Friday’s lopsided defeat, but he’s been one of the few bright spots for the Red Sox recently, hitting .300 (6-for-20) with a pair of RBI over his last seven games. The 23-year-old former top prospect is hitting just .222/.296/.365 with one homer and one steal through 22 games overall. It’ll be veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa at the keystone on Saturday afternoon to face Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers.

Not great. Anthony hasn’t played since Tuesday due to a lingering back issue. It’s worth noting that the Orioles have tough lefty Trevor Rogers on the mound for Saturday afternoon’s matinee, so he might’ve been on the bench regardless of his health status. It’ll be struggling Jarren Duran in left field in his place. The 21-year-old showed flashes of superstar potential when he reached the majors last year, but he’s gotten off to a brutal start this season, hitting .225/.361/.325 with one homer, four RBI and two steals through 22 games. He’s presumably day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale.

Akin returns to Baltimore’s high-leverage mix behind closer Ryan Helsley after missing the opening month of the season with a groin strain. The 31-year-old southpaw has compiled a strong 3.36 ERA across 142 innings spanning 130 appearances for Baltimore over the last two seasons.

Foster heads back to the minors with veteran reliever Keegan Akin back from the injured list. The 27-year-old rookie has posted a serviceable 6.35 ERA and 7/5 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings across four appearances for the Orioles this season.

It’ll be made up as a doubleheader at Citi Field on Sunday instead. Saturday’s original starters — Jose Quinatana and Kodai Senga — will presumably take the ball during Sunday’s twin bill instead.

Kurtz walloped a 115.9 mph leadoff homer against Rangers veteran Nathan Eovaldi for a leadoff homer, his second straight contest with a round-tripper, as part of another multi-hit effort. The 23-year-old slugger has gone deep in three of his last four contests and appears to be rounding back into his previously elite form following an excruciatingly slow start to the year. He leads the majors with 28 walks through 25 games.

It appears opposing teams have learned their lesson and are starting to pitch Wood a bit more cautiously since he’s drawn a staggering nine walks over his last four games. He’s also homered three times during that span, so he’s still getting plenty of pitches to drive. The 23-year-old franchise cornerstone is off to a phenomenal start, slashing .250/.409/.595 with a major-league leading 1.005 OPS to go along with 10 homers, 21 RBI and four steals in 27 games.

Aranda victimized Twins starter Taj Bradley for a pair of solo shots, joining teammate Junior Caminero as the first duo with multi-homer efforts in the same game for the Rays since 2021. The 27-year-old first baseman is up to six big flies in 25 games to open the season.