MLB Player News

Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Hamilton got the Red Sox on the board with his third-inning homer. He's poised to see more consistent playing time moving forward -- he's started four straight games at second base and no longer has to worry about competing with Kristian Campbell, who was demoted to the minors to accommodate the return of Wilyer Abreu (oblique). Hamilton isn't safe in the lineup by any means -- he's slashing just .186/.218/.309 on the year with three homers, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored and 12 stolen bases over 103 plate appearances. He had gone 0-for-14 over 12 games prior to Friday's multi-hit effort. At some point, Alex Bregman (quadriceps) will return from the injured list to play third base, which likely means Marcelo Mayer will get starts at second.

Rafaela went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a second RBI and two total runs scored in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Rafaela had gone just 2-for-15 (.133) over his previous six games, and he hadn't homered since going yard in three straight games versus the Angels from June 2-4. The 24-year-old delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning and a go-ahead solo shot in the sixth, which put the Red Sox ahead for good. He's now at a .255/.303/.407 slash line with seven homers, 10 stolen bases, 28 RBI, 39 runs scored, 12 doubles and two triples through 72 contests this season. Rafaela continues to hold down a starting role in center field.

Chapman struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Chapman has been perfect over his last five outings, striking out eight over 4.2 innings while earning three saves and a hold in that span. He's given up just one unearned run with a 14:1 K:BB across nine innings in June. For the season, the closer is 14-for-15 in save chances with a 1.41 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 45:9 K:BB across 32 innings. He's added two holds and a 3-2 record.

Dobbins allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out one over four innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Giants.

Dobbins' five walks were a season high, which is disappointing after a stretch in which he'd walked just two batters over 16 innings across his last three starts. The rookie right-hander struggled early Friday, though he was a bit unlucky, as one run was scored on an error and two others came on double-play grounders. He ended this start with just 39 of 75 pitches landing for strikes. Dobbins has a 4.10 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB across 59.1 innings over 12 outings (10 starts) -- he typically hasn't had control issues during his time in the majors, though his walk rates in the upper levels of the minors aren't very impressive. He's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Angels next week, though Dobbins is likely to exit the rotation once Tanner Houck (elbow) completes his rehab assignment. Houck is expected to need at least two more rehab outings, though it hasn't been decided if he'll return as a starter or a reliever. The newly acquired Kyle Harrison could also be an option to bump Dobbins from the rotation if the latter's performance drops.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Athletics.

Martinez has hit safely in five of his last six games, going 8-for-21 (.381) in that span. His homer Friday was his fifth of the season, but it was his first since June 4 against the Yankees. Martinez is now at a .246/.265/.379 slash line with 25 RBI, 23 runs scored, 10 doubles, one triple and four stolen bases over 58 contests. He's not seeing an everyday role, but he's offered a challenge at multiple positions, mainly in competition with Daniel Schneemann at second base and Lane Thomas in center field.

Bibee (4-7) pitched a complete game but took the loss Friday versus the Athletics, allowing five runs (four earned) on 11 hits while striking out 10 over eight innings. He did not walk a batter.

Bibee had his longest outing of the season, which included a season-high 10 strikeouts. He also avoided issuing a walk for the fourth time this year, but the Guardians didn't offer enough run support. Bibee is winless in his last five starts, going 0-3 with 16 runs allowed (15 earned) over his last 30.2 innings. For the season, he's at a 3.86 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 75:26 K:BB through 88.2 innings over 15 starts. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at home versus the Blue Jays.

Soderstrom went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 5-1 win over the Guardians.

Prior to Friday, Soderstrom had gone just 4-for-31 (.129) with five walks and six strikeouts over a nine-game span since his previous multi-hit effort. He's up to five steals this season, three of which have come in June, but he's not expected to be a big source of speed. The 23-year-old is batting .249 with a .776 OPS, 14 home runs, 45 RBI, 41 runs scored, 11 doubles and a triple over 77 contests this season. With Nick Kurtz having retaken a starting role at first base after a stint on the injured list due to a hip issue, Soderstrom has settled in as the Athletics' starting left fielder once again.

Butler went 3-for-4 with one RBI in Friday's 5-1 win over the Guardians.

Butler supplied an RBI single with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. The outfielder has gone 9-for-30 (.300) with three extra-base hits and three RBI over his last seven games. For the season, he's up to a .264/.325/.459 slash line with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, 44 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. As a leadoff hitter, Butler's RBI chances are likely to remain limited, but he continues to offer a decent combination of power and speed with steady playing time in right field.

Kurtz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-1 win over the Guardians.

Kurtz took a break from his recent stretch of late homers, instead delivering a first-inning blast Friday. He's gone deep five times during his six-game hitting streak, accounting for half of his 10 long balls on the year. The first baseman has added a .252/.307/.526 slash line, 25 RBI and 18 runs scored over his first 150 plate appearances in the majors.

Springs (6-5) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six over 7.1 innings to earn the win Friday over the Guardians.

Springs kept the Guardians off the board until Angel Martinez's solo home run in the eighth inning. This was Springs' longest outing of the year, and he threw 69 of 104 pitches for strikes to earn his second quality start in a row. He seems to have benefited from making a couple of appearances behind an opener. Springs is now at a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 72:32 K:BB over 87 innings through 16 outings (14 starts), and he's walked just three batters over 26 innings in June. The southpaw is projected for a tough road matchup versus the Tigers next week.