MLB Player News

Valera had been the favorite to win the left or right field job in Cleveland, but his injury seems to have opened the door for Angel Martinez to get first crack at that. There is currently no clear timeline for Valera’s return.

McLean was lights out in a tough matchup against the Dodgers, going head-to-head with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He gave up a run in the first inning on a walk, double, and a groundout before settling in for six more scoreless frames, scattering one more hit and one walk while striking out eight batters on 12 whiffs. The 24-year-old right-hander has been sensational so far, posting a 2.28 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and a 28/8 K/BB ratio across 23 2/3 innings. McLean is in line for a start against the Twins in New York next Tuesday.

Martin is no stranger to the IL, and he might be headed there again. He’s opened this season by giving up six runs — five earned — in 6 1/3 innings over eight appearances.

It’s encouraging that this might not have been as bad as it looked, but there are surely tests to run. An IL stint would still seem to be the likely outcome.

Alex Vesia closed in Díaz’s place Monday against the Mets. Díaz last pitched Friday, when he blew a save against the Rangers, and the Dodgers revealed Monday that he was dealing with a knee issue.

In a game where runs were tough to come by, Wilson came through for the A’s with the bases loaded in the third inning, knocking a two-run single to bring home both of the team’s runs. The 24-year-old shortstop is off to a cold start, though he has multiple hits in two of the last four games. He’s slashing .239/.250/.284 with five runs scored and five RBI across 68 plate appearances.

Langford returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing the previous three games nursing a quad injury. Left-hander on the mound in a hitter’s ballpark didn’t help him get going with a 0-for-3 day at the plate. A .195 BABIP and a 24.1 percent strikeout rate suggest the hits will eventually fall.

Leiter Jr. got the call on Tuesday to close out the game against the Rangers with a one-run lead. He shut the door with a clean inning, striking out two for his second save of the season. He’ll remain in the closer mix for the A’s, with Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel recording the previous two saves. Just don’t expect any consistency here. Leiter Jr. holds a 6.14 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP across 7 1/3 innings.

The Rangers brought a run in against Springs in the first inning on a pair of hits. Springs then locked in, giving up just one more hit and two walks. He recorded the first out in the seventh with his fifth strikeout before departing at 90 pitches. The 33-year-old left-hander has been off to an excellent start to the season, giving up four total runs over his first four starts for a 1.46 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and a 20/8 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 innings. Springs should be rostered in all formats, with his next start coming Sunday in Sacramento against the White Sox.

Gore worked two scoreless innings in Sacramento, then surrendered a pair of runs in the third on a double, two walks, and a bases-loaded single, all with two outs. He walked two more in the fourth, then gave up a hit and a walk in the fifth before leaving with two outs at 94 pitches, walking six in total after walking five across his first three starts. The 27-year-old left-hander will take a 3.00 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 30/11 K/BB ratio across 21 innings into a start against the Mariners in Seattle on Sunday.

Something went very wrong as Curvelo was throwing his pitch, and the ball ended up about 10 feet to the catcher’s right, and Curvelo immediately signaled for a trainer. He’s almost certainly IL bound. Curvelo was working for a second straight day despite throwing two innings as the Rangers’ only reliever to pitch in Monday’s game.