MLB Player News

Peter reported that social media posts show Díaz and the Ortiz brothers posing for photos advertising the cockfighting tournaments. Díaz appears in his Dodgers jersey in one of the photographs, and one of the advertisements specifically says one of the tournaments is “A Tribute to the Puerto Rican Star and Cockfighter Edwin ‘Sugar’ Díaz.” There’s another story from March 10th, which shows Díaz in the middle of a cockfighting arena. While cockfighting is historic and culturally significant in Puerto Rico, a federal ban on cockfighting in all 50 states and U.S. territories took effect in 2019. Neither Díaz nor the Dodgers has commented on the report, and there is no indication right now whether the reliever, who is on the injured list after elbow surgery, will face any sort of consequences.

Cole’s sixth minor league rehab start saw him throw 86 pitches and walk one batter. He averaged 97.0 mph with his fastball, which is 1.1 mph better than when he was last seen in 2024. It sure seems like he would have been fine to rejoin the rotation this weekend had the Yankees wanted him to. As is, though, he’s slated to make a seventh rehab start next week before being activated.

Cortes has cooled off of late, but he’s still hitting .343/.400/.556 overall with just 10 strikeouts and fine EV numbers in 110 plate appearances. He has about 300 points of OPS on Tyler Soderstrom and 400 points on Lawrence Butler, the two guys flanking Bolte in center tonight. What he doesn’t have, however, is a long-term contract guaranteed through 2031 or ’32.

Tyler Stephenson pinch-hit for him in the sixth inning. Trevino served an IL stint last month for a back strain. If he returns to the IL, the Reds could look to bring back P.J. Higgins, who was just DFA’d, or call up Will Banfield.

Roberts was not sure if the operation will be the same that Tarik Skubal underwent, which carries a 4-6 week recovery timeline. If he did undergo that procedure, it would put him out through at least July, with a return after the All-Star break the most likely outcome. River Ryan is expected to take Snell’s place in the rotation in the meantime. When healthy, Snell is one of the best in baseball, but it’s yet another season that will be shortened substantially due to injury.

Marsee is coming around at the dish, collecting three hits in consecutive games. He knocked a base hit in the second inning, tripled in the fourth, then singled and scored in the ninth before drawing a walk in the tenth. The 24-year-old outfielder is hitting .204/.320/.317 with three homers, 25 runs scored, 14 RBI, and 13 steals across 198 plate appearances.

Caminero had just an infield single through nine innings before getting an at-bat with two runners on in the tenth. He hit one just shy of a home run, doubling off the top of the left field wall to drive in two runs. Caminero had gone four games without driving in a run before collecting his two RBI in extras. The 22-year-old slugger is hitting .253/.333/.471 with 11 homers, 27 runs scored, and 21 RBI across 192 plate appearances.

Fairbanks was summoned in the ninth to close out the game against the Rays with a one-run lead. He issued a walk to Cedric Mullins with one out. Mullins would steal second and reach third on a throwing error before scoring on a single to tie the game. Fairbanks would finish out the inning with two strikeouts, then fell in line for a win in the tenth.

Alcantara tossed two scoreless innings, then gave up one unearned run on two hits in the third. He settled in for three more scoreless frames, ending his day after six with six strikeouts. It was the first start in which Alcantara allowed fewer than two runs since April 1. The 30-year-old right-hander will carry a 3.53 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 45/20 K/BB ratio across 63 2/3 innings into a start against the Braves in Miami on Thursday.

Martinez was brilliant once again on Saturday, holding the Marlins scoreless over six innings. He scattered five hits and one walk while striking out four batters. Martinez tossed 53 of 77 pitches for strikes and generated six groundouts to quiet the Miami offense. The 35-year-old right-hander has yet to allow more than two runs in an outing. He’ll take a 1.51 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 35/11 K/BB ratio across 53 2/3 innings into a start against the Yankees in New York on Friday.

Ruiz had a big day at the plate in Washington’s blowout win over the Orioles, leading the way with five RBI. He got the scoring started in the second inning with a three-run homer off Chris Bassit. He later added a double in the sixth, then drove in two runs on a single in the seventh. The 27-year-old backstop is up to four homers and 20 RBI while hitting .230/.244/.471 across 90 plate appearances.