MLB Player News
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Lazaro Estrada RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Lazaro Estrada: Sharp in bulk relief duties
Estrada didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the White Sox, walking two and striking out three over four scoreless, no-hit innings of relief.
Entering the game to begin the second inning after opener Mason Fluharty spotted Chicago an early 1-0 lead, Estrada fired 44 of 66 pitches for strikes in an effective 2026 debut. The right-hander was briefly the pitcher of record when the Blue Jays took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth, but the White Sox immediately struck back in the bottom of the frame. Estrada's performance may earn him another turn through the rotation, either as a traditional starter or a bulk reliever, but with off days coming Thursday and next Monday, Toronto may elect to simply skip employing a fifth starter in the short term.
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Brooks Lee SS | MIN
Twins' Brooks Lee: Returning Saturday
Lee (illness) will start at shortstop and bat eighth against the Rays on Saturday.
After missing two games due to an illness, Lee seems to be feeling better and will return to the starting nine Saturday to face left-hander Steven Matz. Lee had recorded hits in back-to-back contests before falling ill.
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Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Big day against Cards
McKinstry went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 11-6 win over St. Louis.
Getting the start in right field and batting seventh before shifting to third base later in the contest, McKinstry got in on a 12-hit, four-homer barrage from the Tigers by launching a Dustin May sweeper into the right-field seats for a two-run shot in the fourth inning. It was McKinstry's first extra-base hit, first run and first RBI of the year, and through five games the 30-year-old utility player is batting .250 (4-for-16) with an 0:4 BB:K.
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Kerry Carpenter RF | DET
Tigers' Kerry Carpenter: Belts first homer in Saturday's win
Carpenter went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 11-6 win over the Cardinals.
The 28-year-old slugger took Dustin May deep for a two-run shot in the first inning, helping to spark a 12-hit, four-homer barrage from the Tigers. It was Carpenter's first long ball of the season, and through eight games he's batting .172 (5-for-29) with four RBI and a 4:14 BB:K.
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Jack Flaherty SP | DET
Tigers' Jack Flaherty: Falls short of win Saturday
Flaherty didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 11-6 win over the Cardinals, getting charged with five runs on three hits and four walks over four-plus innings. He struck out six.
Facing the team he made his big-league debut with in 2017, Flaherty was cruising with a 7-1 lead heading into the fifth inning, but he put the first four batters of the frame on base before getting the hook after 86 pitches (47 strikes). Jordan Walker then greeted reliever Drew Anderson with a grand slam, tacking three more runs onto Flaherty's ledger. The veteran right-hander has fallen short of lasting five innings in both his starts to begin the year, posting a 7.56 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:8 K:BB through 8.1 innings. He'll try to find some consistency in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Minnesota.
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Slade Cecconi SP | CLE
Guardians' Slade Cecconi: Saturday's start postponed
Cecconi won't make his scheduled start against the Cubs on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Chicago and Cleveland will make up Saturday's contest in a doubleheader Sunday, and Cecconi is penciled in to start the early game, per Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. The 26-year-old righty got off to a poor start to the season by allowing six earned runs in 4.1 innings during his season debut against the Mariners last Sunday.
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Byron Buxton DH | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Not in Saturday's lineup
Buxton (forearm) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
X-rays on Buxton's forearm came back negative after he was hit by a pitch Friday, but the Twins will keep him out of the lineup Saturday as a precaution. An extended absence doesn't seem likely, however, as manager Derek Shelton said he believes the 32-year-old outfielder could be back in the starting nine within a day or two and could even be available off the bench for Saturday's contest.
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Carson Williams SS | TB
Rays' Carson Williams: Getting breather Saturday
Williams isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Williams has gone 0-for-11 at the plate and struck out six times over his last three starts, and the Rays will now give him a day off to reset. Ben Williamson will fill the void at shortstop and bat seventh.