MLB Player News

Kayfus, who would have opened up in the minors if George Valera hadn’t gotten hurt, was 0-for-10 on the season and had been out of the lineup in five straight games before getting the nod in the first game today. His double in that game should have been handled by Michael Conforto in right, but it apparently was enough to get Kayfus started. One imagines he’ll get another start Monday against the Royals’ Michael Wacha, but with the Guardians set to face lefties four times in six games this week, this isn’t the time to pick him up in fantasy leagues.

Bleday went 6-for-11 with two homers and five RBI in the series against the Braves and now has his OPS back over 1.000. He doesn’t qualify for leaderboards yet after opening up in the minors, but he’d currently rank third in the majors and first in the NL in OPS. His 1.040 mark trails only Ben Rice’s 1.066 and Yordan Alvarez’s 1.050.

Lodolo gave up two homers, but they were both solo shots leading off innings. He issued four walks, but none of those came back to bite him. He should feel pretty fortunate to pitch like he did and still earn a win over one of baseball’s best teams. He’ll take on St. Louis next week with a 2-1 record and a 5.20 ERA on the season.

Working with a 6-3 lead in the ninth, Santillan gave up a walk and a single with one out. He then retired Sandy León, who had already replaced Chadwick Tromp behind the plate and thus couldn’t realistically been lifted for a pinch-hitter. That brought up Ronald Acuña Jr., however, and an RBI single followed. Lefty Sam Moll took over at that point and walked Michael Harris II before retiring Matt Olson on a groundout. It went as Moll’s first save and Santillan’s 11th hold. Santillan still looks like the favorite for saves in Cincinnati with Graham Ashcraft and Pierce Johnson joining Emilio Pagán on the injured list, but he just hasn’t impressed of late. Terry Francona won’t like it, but he’ll probably have to do some mixing and matching.

Strider struck out eight, but the Reds managed single runs off him in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings. It’s the third straight outing in which Strider has allowed exactly three earned runs. However, that was the product of five homers allowed over his previous two starts. There were no homers today, just singles and doubles. He’s 3-1 with a 3.77 ERA, and he’s due to face the Pirates next.

Acuña has homered in four straight games, amassing five homers, nine RBI, seven walks and four steals during the span. It’s raised his OPS from .695 to .821.

Realmuto was hit in the left wrist earlier in the game, and it appears his exit Sunday is related to that injury. Rafael Marchán has taken over for Realmuto behind the plate.

Soto’s grand slam in the sixth inning was the exclamation mark in a lopsided victory to end the week. The $765 million man has been on an absolute tear, homering nine times in his past 15 contests. It’s a stretch in which Soto also has 16 runs scored, 18 RBI, and even four stolen bases. He’s at the height of his powers despite the offense not living up to expectations for most of the season. The Mets will begin a West Coast trip to Seattle and San Diego on Monday.

McLean only struck out two, lowering his ERA to 4.21 on the year. The walks were uncharacteristic for the sophomore right-hander, whose ERA estimators suggest he’s pitched better than his results thus far. McLean entered Sunday with the second-lowest left-on-base rate among qualified starters. He’ll aim to get back on track when visiting the Padres next time out.

King started Sunday’s bullpen game after Janson Junk was scratched and placed on the injured list with a shin issue. Junk joins Eury Pérez and Robby Snelling as recent rotation losses for a staff that is suddenly extremely thin. King might be used as an opener on bullpen days going forward, but he’ll otherwise revert to middle relief.

The rookie hit a solo homer to begin the bottom of the first, and he later drew a walk while finishing his day with two runs scored. Benge has now hit leadoff in 19 straight contests dating back to May 12, six of which were against left-handed starters. He finishes May with a much better strikeout rate than he showed in April, and his all-around results took a meaningful step forward.