MLB Player News

Caminero’s third-inning blast against Cubs starter Jameson Taillon electrified a packed Tropicana Field during the Rays return to the iconic dome for the first time since the 2024 campaign. The -year-old slugger’s second big fly of the season was a no-doubter to left field, traveling a whopping 401 feet, per Statcast, and doubled Tampa Bay’s early lead at the time. It’s been a bit of a slow start at the dish for Caminero this season, hitting .256 (10-for-39) with two homers and three RBI through 10 games, but it’s starting to feel like he’s coming alive recently.

Stephenson provided a key insurance run with an eighth-inning homer off Marlins starter Janson Junk. It was his second round-tripper of the season and was one of just two extra-base hits for the Reds in a low-scoring affair at loanDepot park.

There weren’t a ton of bright spots for the Marlins in this one as Brandon Williamson and a trio of Reds relievers combined on a three-hit shutout. Ramírez was responsible for Miami’s lone extra-base hit of the night and reached base safely in two of his four plate appearances.

Pagán got the call to guard a two-run lead in the final frame and needed just 13 pitches (eight strikes) to slam the door. He got Jakob Marsee to pop out and Otto Lopez to ground out before winning an eight-pitch battle against Heriberto Hernández to end it. The 34-year-old stopper isn’t one of the more dominant relief arms in the game but he’s been a reliable fantasy closer for the past two seasons, converting 36 of 43 save opportunities during that span.

Williamson wasn’t overpowering, but he limited Miami to nine hard-hit balls and needed just 93 pitches to reach the seventh inning in his second start of the year. It was a much-needed bounce-back after surrendering six runs on three homers against the Pirates in his season debut last week. He’s in line for another favorable matchup against the Angels on Sunday to finish off a two-start week.

Junk tallied three strikeouts and limited Cincinnati’s strong lineup to just seven hits, including an eighth-inning homer by Tyler Stephenson, and required an extremely efficient 87 pitches (57 strikes) to work into the eighth. The 30-year-old righty has looked like a different pitcher this season, with his fastball velocity up nearly two mph from last year, averaging 94.5 mph in this one, while also featuring a kick changeup to neutralize left-handers and a gyro slider to combat right-handers. He’ll carry a solid 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 8/2 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings into a road matchup against the Tigers on Saturday to close out a two-start week.

Hays pulled up and was favoring his right leg after trying to corral a bloop single to right field in the fourth inning and immediately left the contest against his former club. There should be an update on his status once he undergoes an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. It certainly seems like a potential injured list situation.

Arias was lifted for a pinch-runner following a fifth-inning double where he appeared to suffer the injury. The 26-year-old infielder was 1-for-2 prior to exiting and was replaced by Daniel Schneemann at shortstop. There should be an update on his status prior to Tuesday’s game after he undergoes further evaluation and testing.

Scherzer’s fastball velocity was down significantly and he departed after just 36 pitches over two innings during Monday’s highly-anticipated rematch of last year’s Fall Classic. There should be an update on the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer’s status shortly.

Ross cleared waivers over the weekend and will head out onto the open market to pursue opportunities elsewhere rather than stick around at Triple-A Reno. The 32-year-old reliever was lit up for eight runs over 3 2/3 innings across three appearances for Arizona prior to being designated for assignment last Friday.

Gipson-Long will remain stationed at Triple-A Toledo as organizational depth after concluding a rehab assignment. The 28-year-old hit the shelf with an oblique injury at the end of spring training. He holds a pedestrian 5.44 ERA across 51 1/3 innings over 12 appearances for the Tigers since 2023.