MLB Player News

It’s possible that Orioles’ skipper Craig Albernaz just wanted to get Nunez right back out there in a high leverage spot after he gave up four runs during Thursday’s loss to the Rays. Rico Garcia was used to put out a fire in the sixth inning of this one. Either way, Nunez came through with flying colors, retiring all three hitters that he faced including punchouts of Wenceel Perez and Gage Workman. He appears to be the second in line for save chances with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still sidelined.

The Royals didn’t confirm that he broke the bone on his fifth-inning swing, but that’s pretty much the only hamate injury there is. If it is a break, he’ll miss at least four-to-six weeks. John Rave or Josh Rojas could replace him on the roster. Rave makes more sense, since Jac Caglianone will likely play a lot of first base.

Machado took Orioles reliever Albert Suárez deep in the ninth inning to close out a five-homer afternoon for the Padres that included blasts by Jackson Merrill, Samad Taylor, Gavin Sheets and Rodolfo Durán. The 33-year-old veteran third baseman has hit a bit of a rough patch lately, batting .196 (9-for-46) with two homers and five RBI since the start of June.

Alonso delivered one of his strongest performances of the season on an otherwise forgettable afternoon for Baltimore. He took Padres starter Randy Vásquez deep with two outs in the opening frame and also added an RBI double in the seventh inning as part of a three-hit effort. The power-hitting 31-year-old is scorching hot of late, hitting .326 (15-for-46) with five homers and 12 RBI in 12 games since the start of June.

Vásquez got off to a rocky start when he coughed up a pair of runs in the first inning, including a solo shot to Pete Alonso. However, he managed to settle in and keep Baltimore off the scoreboard into the middle innings to pick up his sixth win of the season. He struck out five and only issued two walks. He’ll face the Rangers in a road matchup on Friday his next time out.

Gibson was tagged for four runs in a calamitous opening frame, which included two-run homers by Jackson Merrill and Samad Taylor. The 24-year-old pitching prospect managed to get out of the frame without any further damage and saved Baltimore’s bullpen by working into the fifth. He was all over the place from a command standpoint, managing to punch out a season-high seven, while also handing out five walks. It’s unclear whether he’ll get another turn in the rotation, but that’ll depend on whether Chris Bassitt (back) is ready to take the ball next week.

Pasquantino popped up, grabbed his wrist on the followthrough and then went straight down toward the clubhouse after the ball was caught. Isaac Collins replaced him in the game, with Jac Caglianone moving from right field to first. If Pasquantino lands on the IL, the Royals could call up John Rave for the outfield and play Caglianone at first base regularly.