MLB Player News

Pasquantino went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Nationals.

The first baseman did his best to get the Royals back into the game after they fell behind 5-0 in the top of the first inning, driving in Kansas City's first run with a groundout in the bottom of the first and then adding a three-run shot off Jake Irvin in the fourth. Pasquantino has three homers and 11 RBI in the last four games, and over 19 contests since his last day off July 22, he's batting .240 (18-for-75) with seven of his 22 long balls on the season, plus 23 of his 80 RBI.

Maton (2-4) was stuck with the loss and a blown save in Wednesday's 6-4 defeat against Arizona. He allowed four runs on two hits and a walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings.

With the Rangers protecting a one-run lead, Maton managed to strike out Tyler Locklear for the final out in the eighth inning. However, it was a different story in the ninth -- after striking out the first two batters in the frame, Maton gave up a solo home run to James McCann. He'd proceed to hit a batter and issue a walk before Ketel Marte launched a go-ahead, three-run blast. Maton had allowed just one home run this season before Wednesday and had given up one run on two hits in his first five innings with the Rangers. Despite the hiccup, Maton figures to share closing duties with Robert Garcia down the stretch. His ERA sits at 3.02 with a 1.10 WHIP and 55 strikeouts across 44.2 innings between Texas and St. Louis this year.

Estevez (4-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up one run on two hits and one walk in the ninth inning as the Royals fell 8-7 to the Nationals. He struck out one.

The Kansas City closer entered a tie game in the top of the ninth and couldn't hold the visitors at bay, serving up a one-out double to Luis Garcia and an RBI single to Daylen Lile. Estevez has 30 saves on the season, one shy of the career high he set with the Angels in 2023, but he's struggled to find consistency since the beginning of July -- over his last 17.2 innings, he's posted a 4.58 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB while blowing three of his 11 save chances.

Campero was diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain Wednesday and is expected to miss a significant amount of time, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear if Campero's injury will force him to miss the rest of the season, but the Angels likely won't be in a hurry to rush him back given their unfavorable position in the race for a postseason spot. With the 27-year-old out, Taylor Ward, Bryce Teodosio and Jo Adell will presumably work as the Angels' primary outfield trio until Jorge Soler (back) returns from the IL.

Lugo came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Nationals, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out two.

The veteran righty served up two homers, including a first-inning grand slam to Nathaniel Lowe, before getting the hook after 92 pitches (53 strikes), but Lugo escaped a loss when Kansas City was able to tie the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth. Lugo's two worst outings of the season have been his last two, as he's been tagged for 13 earned runs in just eight innings. Over 30.1 innings since the All-Star break he's labored to a 7.42 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB. The Royals have a day off Thursday and have some options if they want to give Lugo extra rest, but he currently lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rangers.

Smith came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Tigers, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander put together one of his stingiest performances of the season, although it wasn't exactly efficient as he needed 92 pitches (56 strikes) to record 15 outs. Smith wasn't rewarded for his efforts, however, as the White Sox offense managed only two hits on the afternoon. Smith has looked good since returning from an ankle injury at the beginning of August, giving up four runs in 14.1 innings (2.51 ERA) with a 17:8 K:BB over three starts, but all three resulted in no-decision. He'll look for his first win since June 10 in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Atlanta.

Vest struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 18th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the White Sox.

Kyle Finnegan worked the eighth inning against the bottom part of Chicago's order and got his first hold since coming over to Detroit, while Vest got the call in the ninth against the 9-1-2 hitters and got the job done on 11 pitches (six strikes). Vest has the Tigers' last two saves, but Finnegan got the three before that, and the duo could continue to split chances the rest of the way, with Vest perhaps being viewed by manager A.J. Hinch as the slightly higher-leverage option. On the season, Vest sports a 2.61 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 58:15 K:BB through 51.2 innings.

Melton (3-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the White Sox, allowing just one hit over five scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Making his first big-league start since July 28, the rookie right-hander retired the first 12 batters he faced before Luis Robert doubled to lead off the fifth inning, but Melton made sure he would advance no further. Despite being on a limited pitch count, Melton lasted long enough to qualify for the win, firing an efficient 56 pitches (43 strikes). The Tigers don't have a vacancy in their rotation, so this was likely just a spot start to buy the team's regular starters some extra rest. Melton will head back to a long-relief role with a 2.82 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB over his first 22.1 MLB innings.

Jensen will not be in Triple-A Omaha's lineup Wednesday due to a right wrist contusion, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Jensen suffered the injury after his hand hit a batting helmet on a throw during Tuesday's game. The 22-year-old top prospect is considered day-to-day, and he could return to the lineup before the end of the week. Jensen is slashing .252/.358/.574 with two steals, eight doubles, nine home runs and 26 RBI over 135 plate appearances in Triple-A this season.

Kurtz is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Rays on Wednesday.

Kurtz will begin Wednesday's game on the bench after starting in the Athletics' last 14 games, with Tyler Soderstrom shifting over to first base and batting in the cleanup spot. Over that 14-game span, Kurtz has gone 13-for-50 (.260) with 10 runs, two doubles and three RBI.