MLB Player News

Martinez did not make a good first impression with the Rays by going 0-4 with a 14.49 ERA this spring, but there still shouldn’t be any doubt about his rotation status. Martinez’s velocity was down a bit today and he went without a strikeout, but the Jays’ 43 percent hard-hit rate (10 of his 23 balls in play) isn’t going to produce this sort of massacre most nights. Since nothing here really matters until the games begin to count, let’s see how he fares against the Cardinals on Sunday before starting the Joe Boyle talk.

Contreras’ home run was his 11th of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Bailey Ober in the fourth inning. Contreras is hitting .281 with 25 runs and 33 RBI in 178 at-bats for the Red Sox this year. While the rest of the lineup continues to struggle, Contreras’ .898 OPS would be a career-high if the season ended today.

Quintana gave up six runs in 1 1/3 innings today. If he lands on the IL, it could be Ryan Feltner coming off the injured list to replace him.

Yoshida’s home run was his first of the season. He hit a solo shot off Bailey Ober in the second inning. Yoshida came up again in the fourth inning and roped a double off Ober. His OPS is up to .734. Yoshida has never had an OPS of at least .800 in his four seasons in the major leagues.

Adams had a 7.49 ERA in 18 appearances with the Twins last year. He’s been far better this year with a 3.38 ERA in five appearances. On Sunday, he came in to get the final out and notch his first MLB save. Adams is the 11th different reliever to record a save for the Twins this year already, making it impossible to rely on anyone in Minnesota for consistent saves.

Gray gave up six hits, walked two and struck out four. He threw 75 pitches and was removed after four innings. Danny Coulombe started the fifth inning. Gray struck out nine batters in his last start, flashing the upside he’s had over the course of his career. He hasn’t gone more than six innings in any of his nine starts this year and has thrown 70-80 pitches in each of his last four starts. Gray is lined up to face the Guardians on the road next weekend.

Ober gave up seven hits, walked none and struck out three. He improved to 6-2 with the win. Ober allowed a solo home run in the second inning to Masataka Yoshida, which was his first of the season. The hard contact continued in the fourth inning as the Red Sox started the inning with a double by Wilyer Abreu, a two-run home run by Willson Contreras and a double by Yoshida. Ober has a 3.92 ERA this year, but his xFIP is 4.74. He’s lined up to face the Pirates on the road next weekend.

Winn, who has collected one save and five holds this year, had given up four runs in his last four appearances, taking his ERA to 5.59. He’ll rest up for a spell and then likely go on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Rangers.

Collyer was sent down just five days ago, but he’s back in the Rangers pen to replace an ailing Cole Winn. He had a 2.84 ERA and a 10/8 K/BB in 12 2/3 innings prior to his demotion.

Hernández entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and hit a single. In a tied game in the ninth inning, he came up with the bases loaded and one out and hit a walk-off grand slam off Mets closer Devin Williams. Hernández is still hitting just .193 with little power in limited at-bats for the Marlins.

Williams started the ninth inning by allowing a double to Christopher Morel. After a sacrifice bunt and a walk, the Mets decided to intentionally walk Xavier Edwards to load the bases for Heriberto Hernández, who promptly hit a walk-off grand slam. It’s Williams’ second loss of the year and his ERA is now 6.35. Williams had a 1.83 ERA in six seasons with the Brewers before his drop-off in production with the Yankees and Mets over the last two years.