MLB Player News

Heineman isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Heineman will take a seat for a second consecutive game after logging just one hit in his last 22 at-bats. Brandon Valenzuela will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Bassitt (2-2) earned the win Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader with the Astros, allowing a run on seven hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out seven.

It was easily the best outing of the season thus far for Bassitt, who logged a season high in strikeouts en route to his first quality start. The right-hander held Houston off the board for six innings before Christian Vazquez drove in a run with two outs in the seventh. Bassitt's ERA now sits at 5.46 with a 1.86 WHIP and 17:14 K:BB across six starts (28 innings) this year. He'll look to build on Thursday's performance his next time out, tentatively scheduled to come next week in Miami.

Finnegan earned the save in Thursday's 5-2 win over Atlanta, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Kenley Jansen was charged with a blown save Wednesday, it was Finnegan who got the call in the ninth inning Thursday with the Tigers up by three. The right-hander worked around a one-out single to lock down his first save with Detroit this season. The 34-year-old Finnegan is off to a stellar start this season -- he's allowed just one run through his first 15.2 innings. While the veteran Jansen should have a fairly long leash as the Tigers' primary closer, Finnegan is certainly a name to watch should Jansen's struggles continue.

Correa isn't in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Correa went 1-for-5 with a strikeout during a loss in the early game Thursday, and he'll stay put in the dugout to begin the nightcap. His absence will allow Braden Shewmake to pick up a start at shortstop while batting ninth.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Valdez, who didn't issue any free passes after walking a season-high eight batters in his last outing, which came against the Reds. Valdez has held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of his first seven starts with the Tigers. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.35 with a 1.26 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB across 40.1 innings. Valdez is currently lined up to face the Red Sox at home his next time out.

Altuve isn't in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Baltimore, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Game 1, Altuve will catch a breather during the nightcap while Brice Matthews starts at the keystone. Daniel Johnson will fill the resulting void in center field and bat eighth.

Mayo isn't in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Houston, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Mayo will grab a seat on the bench to begin Game 2 after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the earlier game. Weston Wilson will start at third base and bat eighth in Mayo's absence.

Rutschman isn't in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Astros, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Rutschman went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an additional run scored during Baltimore's 10-3 win in Game 1, and he'll get a chance to rest his legs during the second half of Thursday's festivities. Samuel Basallo will do the catching instead for starter Brandon Young.

Pomeranz (0-3) took the loss against the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while retiring only one batter in the 10th inning.

After the Angels were unable to push across a run in the top of the 10th, Pomeranz was tasked with keeping Chicago off the board in the bottom of the frame. He intentionally walked the first batter he faced, then walked another before giving up a walk-off single with one out. Pomeranz was considered a closer candidate after Jordan Romano was DFA'd on April 16, but the lefty has struggled mightily since then, giving up four runs on four hits (including three homers) while being charged with two blown saves and a loss over three outings. It wouldn't be surprising if the Angels look to other options for high-leverage work until Pomeranz gets back on track.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Pasquantino (back) is "better today" and will again be available off the bench against the Athletics, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino is missing a second straight start due to low-back tightness, an injury that been nagging at him for a bit. However, he was on deck to pinch hit Wednesday and will be available in the same capacity Thursday. Pasquantino has a good chance of returning to the lineup Friday in Seattle.