MLB Player News

Soler went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta.

Soler was able to eat into the Angels' steep deficit in the ninth inning as he smacked a solo homer off Dylan Dodd to left-center field. It was Soler's ninth home run of the season, and he has gone 2-for-6 in his two games since returning from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Zeferjahn (5-2) was tagged with a blown save and the loss in the Angels' 8-3 defeat to Atlanta on Wednesday. He allowed five runs on four hits and two walks without recording an out.

With two on and two out, Zeferjahn replaced Yusei Kikuchi in the sixth to protect the Angels' two-run lead. That lead didn't last long, as the first pitch Zeferjahn threw was smacked deep to left-center field by Sean Murphy for a three-run homer. Things didn't get better for Zeferjahn, who allowed the next three runners on base before giving up a grand slam, and he ended his outing tossing just seven of 16 pitches for strikes. Zeferjahn has given up at least one run in four of his last five outings and has logged three blown saves in that span. Wednesday's outing ballooned his numbers to a 6.19 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 32 innings this season.

Kikuchi did not factor in the decision in the Angels' 8-3 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday. He allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven across 5.2 innings.

Kikuchi was able to escape from a bases-load situation in the first and was in line for the win as he entered the sixth looking to log a third consecutive quality start. He was lifted after giving up two consecutive singles and was tagged for those runs after Sean Murphy launched a three-run homer off Ryan Zeferjahn. Kikuchi is in the midst of a career season, and his 106 strikeouts and 2.81 ERA (across 101.2 innings) rank ninth and 11th, respectively, among qualified starters in the American League. He's slated to start against the Rangers at home next week.

Sousa secured the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Rockies, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Josh Hader was presumably unavailable after notching the save in Tuesday's victory over Colorado, opening up a rare save opportunity for Sousa. Through 32.1 frames, Sousa has emerged as a weapon out of Houston's bullpen with a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB. The southpaw has also converted each of his three save chances to go with two holds this year, but he should continue to serve primarily as a middle reliever and setup man going forward.

Judge went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-9 loss to the Blue Jays.

Judge hit an RBI double in the fifth inning and tied the game at 9-9 with a 440-foot homer in the eighth. The two-time MVP has hit safely in seven of his past 10 games, collecting seven extra-base hits, nine RBI and 10 runs scored in that span. He leads the majors with a .363 batting average and also ranks second in home runs (31), third in RBI (70) and second in runs (77) while adding six stolen bases across 383 plate appearances.

Schneider went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's 11-9 win over the Yankees

Schneider hit a two-run homer in the first inning and went deep again in the seventh. The 26-year-old went 5-for-10 with three extra-base hits and four runs scored in the series against the Yankees after entering it just 3-for-23 over his previous 10 games. For the season, he's slashing .228/.380/.421 with three home runs, eight RBI and 11 runs scored across 71 plate appearances.

Fry went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs.

Fry cranked his second homer of the season and logged only his second multi-hit game through his first 21 outings. The righty-hitting 29-year-old has served strictly as a designated hitter after missing the start of the season due to offseason elbow surgery, and he's mostly struggled in a weak-side platoon role. Fry is slashing .163/.226/.306 with the aforementioned two long balls, one double, four RBI and one stolen base over 53 plate appearances.

Seager went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-0 victory over the Orioles.

That's now four homers in Seager's last six games, and he's up to 11 big flies in 55 games this year. The star shortstop was stuck in a dismal 2-for-32 skid at the plate between June 1 and June 13, but he's rediscovered his form following that dry spell. Over his last 76 plate appearances, Seager is slashing .279/.408/.590 with five long balls, four doubles and 11 RBI.

Barger went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, four RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 11-9 win over the Yankees.

Barger crushed a three-run homer in the first inning and later added an insurance run with an RBI single in the ninth. The 25-year-old has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, a stretch that includes four extra-base hits, six RBI and eight runs scored. For the season, he's slashing .263/.325/.493 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 33 runs scored and two steals across 229 plate appearances.

The Orioles are expected to activate O'Neill (shoulder) from the injured list Friday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

A left shoulder impingement forced O'Neill onto the injured list in mid-May, and his rehab was extended slightly after he suffered a setback in June. During his 10-game rehab assignment, the 30-year-old outfielder went 10-for-31 (.323) with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored. He'll likely take over as Baltimore's primary DH upon returning and aim to carry momentum over from his time in the minors, as he's posted just a .605 OPS over his first 24 games as an Oriole.