MLB Player News

Benintendi was scratched from Friday’s game because of soreness in his right side. The outfielder also told reporters that if this was the regular season he could play. It is very much not, but Benintendi should be ready in plenty of time for the regular season even if he doesn’t return Thursday.

Mahle had to be close to perfect with Shohei Ohtani also firing scoreless frame after frame, but he was able to last one more inning than Ohtani will getting a three-run homer from Patrick Bailey to allow him to pick up the win. The right-hander was awful against the Reds last week (4 IP, 8 ER), but brilliant against the Dodgers in this one, which is just proof that baseball is definitely a sport. He’ll look to keep lowering his 5.40 ERA against the Phillies on Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Ohtani scattered five hits while not issuing a walk. He pitched brilliantly while hitting 100 mph on the gun, but he got a goose egg of support to prevent him from picking up the win. He also went hitless and didn’t draw a walk, so his 53-game streak of reaching base is over. He’s scheduled to return to the mound Tuesday against the Marlins, and he’ll take a 0.38 ERA into that contest. A remarkable baseball player.

Santana finished the job for the Pirates, but it came in an 8-4 game so there’s no save for the right-hander. He did pick up a pair of strikeouts without allowing a hit, however, and his ERA for the first three weeks of the season is a miniscule 0.75. That’ll work.

Jung was responsible for the only two runs the Rangers were able to pick up when Graham Ashcraft was in the game. That’s the third roundtripper of the season for the third baseman, and he’s driven in 11 runs over his 21 games played. Jung has disappointed over the past two seasons more often than not, but it’s certainly possible a breakout campaign could be coming as a 28-year-old.

Leiter allowed five hits, walked a pair and struck out five. He allowed a run-scoring single in the first, but then blanked the Bucs over the next four innings before giving up a three-spot in the fifth. He was able to generate a solid 15 swings and misses over 84 pitches, and his fastball topped out at 98.1 mph before exiting. It was far from a dominant start, but it passed the eye test more than the box score might suggest. He’s scheduled to face the Yankees on Monday.

Ashcraft really only made one mistake Wednesday, as he caught too much of the plate on a two-run homer by Josh Jung. Outside of that the 26-year-old was solid; striking out five against two walks while allowing only four hits. Ashcraft has been solid to begin the 2026 campaign, and he’ll look to keep lowering his 2.43 ERA in a scheduled bout with the Cardinals at home on Monday. At the very least, Ashcraft is worth keeping an eye on.

Cruz also was caught stealing and struck out three times. No one will remember that, and everyone who had a chance to see his majestic three-run homer in the ninth inning off Jalen Beeks that traveled 432 feet and hit the top of the foul pole with an exit velocity of 116.9 mph. Incredible. Cruz has always been a special talent and has done some nice things in the league, but it’s fair to say that he’s looked like a different type of guy to begin 2026 — in a good way. We’ll see if he can keep it up, but the ability to do so is absolutely there.

Holmes received a no-decision, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings. He struck out three and walked one. It was a much-needed performance, with the victory snapping the team’s 12-game losing streak. Holmes’ ERA now sits at 2.10, and he’s allowed two runs or fewer in all five of his starts. He’s lined up to face the Nationals at home next time out.