MLB Player News

Kikuchi was sent for imaging after being pulled from Wednesday’s start in the third inning due to soreness in his shoulder. They should know the results in the next day or so, after which they can make a determination on Kikuchi’s status. It looks increasingly likely that he’ll require a trip to the injured list.

Kwan also drew a walk, so it was a six-reach day for the 28-year-old leadoff hitter. All five hits were singles, not that anyone is complaining. The power hasn’t been there all year for Kwan, but the five knocks up his average to .274 with a .378 on-base percentage.

Ramírez’s final double was in the 10th inning to score a pair, and it gave Cleveland an 8-6 lead and ultimately the victory. The stolen base is the 30th of the season for the perennial MVP candidate. Because of injury and inconsistent play, he won’t be in those discussions this year, but Tuesday showed that he’s nowhere close to done being an impactful player.

Grissom hit a two-run homer in the first inning off a wholly ineffective Gavin Williams, and then took Logan Allen deep in the fifth. The 25-year-old is just organizational depth at this stage in his career, but it’s fun to be reminded why Grissom was considered a potential star when coming up in the Atlanta organization.

Smith hit Cristian Moore to begin the inning, and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. Smith was able to whiff the next two, and it gives him 35 saves on the campaign and lowers his ERA on the season to 2.40.

Ureña and Gavin Williams have been two of the more solid options in the American League this year, and surprisingly, they both stunk, as both gave up a five-spot in the outing. Ureña couldn’t find the strike zone before being pulled, as he walked five and threw just 50-of-89 pitches for strikes before being bounced. The 22-year-old is likely starting to tire in his first MLB campaign, and while he still has an excellent 2.94 ERA, there’s just as much risk as reward for the rest of the season. He’ll try and show he’s still got juice in the tank against the Yankees next week.

In terms of following up his 11-strikeout effort against the Giants, Williams did not. He gave up six hits while getting just four outs, and two of those hits went over the fence. It’s a disappointing outing regardless of the situation, but after dominating for so much of that last outing against San Francisco, and then facing one of the worst teams in baseball, it just adds to said disappointment. He’ll get a chance to bounce back against the Blue Jays next week.

Devers drew a walk and scored a run in the first inning, then later extended the Giants’ lead with a solo homer off Brady Singer in the fifth. It was his third home run in his last five games. The 29-year-old first baseman is slashing .244/.322/.480 with 28 homers, 73 runs scored, and 74 RBI across 559 plate appearances.

Stewart made sure the Reds wouldn’t get shut out, taking Carson Seymour deep for a solo homer in the top of the ninth for the team’s only run of the game. The 22-year-old slugger is up to 28 homers, 74 runs scored, 99 RBI, and 12 steals while hitting .263/.335/.475 across 576 plate appearances.

Seymour got the call to close out Tuesday’s contest against the Reds with a three-run lead. He gave up a solo homer to Sal Stewart before holding on for his first save of the season. This comes with Dylan Smith unavailable after pitching in two of the last three games. Don’t expect Seymour to be a consistent option for saves.

Molina entered the game with two outs in the second inning after starter Adrian Houser departed early with a trainer. Molina stepped in nicely, pitching through the sixth while keeping the Reds off the board as he scattered just one hit and one walk. The 24-year-old right-hander may have to give the Giants more bulk work, either as a starter or a reliever, if Houser is to miss some time.