MLB Player News

The Rays never let Burke settle in here. After a one-two-three first inning, there was constant traffic on the bases and couldn’t miss enough bats to quell those rallies. In fact, he only forced three swings-and-misses all outing against a lineup that isn’t particularly tough to hold down. Yet, he’s on tap for a mildly interesting two-start week against the Diamondbacks and Nationals coming up. Proceed with caution.

Williams and Cristopher Sánchez matched up here in one of the best pitcher’s duels of the season. They each threw eight scoreless innings, but Williams was a touch sharper. His 11 strikeouts matched his season-high and his sweeper was practically un-hittable forcing 10 of his 17 total swings-and-misses. This gem was another message to the league that Williams is a budding ace and his poise after working around a baserunner in each of the seventh and eighth innings in this scoreless affair reaffirmed such. He left this superb outing with a 3.25 ERA, 84 strikeouts, and 22 walks across 69 1/3 innings so far this season. Next up for Williams will be the Nationals at home.

It couldn’t have looked easier for Smith in this one. Despite facing Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper, he got out of this inning in just eight pitches while the Guardians clung to a one run lead. The Phillies’ stars weren’t even close either. Turner popped up on the first pitch, Schwarber struck out, and Harper rolled one over, also on the first pitch. If Mason Miller didn’t exist, we’d be talking a lot more about Smith’s dominance this season with his league-leading 17 saves and strikeout rate approaching 40%

Manzardo was the unlikely hero in a game where Cristopher Sánchez and Gavin Williams each tossed eight scoreless innings. Well, after Sánchez came out, Manzardo pinch-hit for Rhys Hoskins in the ninth and launched a first pitch home run off Jhoan Duran to put the Guardians up. It’s been a trying season overall for Manzardo – this was just his fifth home run to go along with a .228 batting average – but maybe this clutch shot can get him going.

Turner turned in a poor game here despite riding a seven-game hit streak heading into it. Gavin Williams had everything going against the Phillies here, so it’s hard to hold him accountable for going hit-less against him. Yet, coming up to lead-off the ninth inning in a one run game, Turner offered at a first-pitch sweeper from Cade Smith that was in on his hands and popped it up to the shortstop. It’s little things like – swinging at the first pitch in a one-run game – that really build up the frustration with Turner’s slow start. On the season, he has a .234 batting average and 639 OPS. That is rough.

Sánchez is on another level right now. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 37 2/3 innings after this start, which broke the Phillies’ franchise record set by Cliff Lee. This was also one of those beautiful outings where he had literally everything working. He dotted his sinker exactly where he wanted it bearing down on righties and that pitch beautifully set up both his changeup fading away and slider crashing on the back-foot of the Guardians’ right-handed batters. All in all, he forced 22 swings-and-misses, which was one off his season-high, and the vast majority came via his slider and changeup. Sadly for Sánchez, Guardians’ starter Gavin Williams matched him with eight scoreless frames, so he left this gem with a no-decision. Still, he’s firmly one of the best pitchers in the league and is scheduled to face the Padres next time out.

It’s unclear exactly what the 27-year-old left-hander injured, but he slipped and fell during his delivery and then walked off the field very gingerly. The Tigers are already dealing with a plethora of injuries on their pitching staff, so losing Hurter for any length of time would be a major blow.

DeLuca appeared to sustain the injury while going from first to third on a double by Cedric Mullins in the seventh inning and was lifted for a pinch runner. He’ll head for further evaluation. Expect the Rays to provide an update on his status as soon as more information becomes available.

Kelenic attempted to give it a go but ultimately was a late scratch as his back was still bothering him a bit before the game started. He’s considered day-to-day and should return to action before the weekend is through.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 24-year-old outfielder. Bericoto was off to a strong start offensively at Triple-A Sacramento, slashing .299/.355/.449 with six homers and 30 RBI in 186 plate appearances. He is not in the Giants’ starting lineup on Friday night but should see action in right field with Jung Hoo Lee (back) sidelined.

The 27-year-old outfielder had been attempting to play through the injury but after being reevaluated on Friday the club thought it was in his best interest to sit him down for a bit and make sure that everything heals properly. Victor Bericoto was promoted from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move on Friday.