MLB Player News

Cowser went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a double in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Rays.

Cowser has homered in three straight games. His long ball came in the sixth inning Thursday, giving the Orioles a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The outfielder is struggling a bit for consistency at the plate, but the power is there. He's posted a .210/.269/.532 slash line with six homers, 10 RBI, seven runs scored, two doubles and one stolen base over 67 plate appearances this season, but he could be held back by a 34.3 percent strikeout rate. He's avoided striking out in each of the last two games, but Cowser will need to continue improving his plate discipline, without sacrificing power, to be a reliable fantasy asset.

Bautista struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Rays.

Bautista had to work for it, throwing 12 of 21 pitches for strikes despite not allowing a baserunner. He's on an eight-inning scoreless streak with a 13:5 K:BB and has allowed just one hit during that span. Bautista struggled at times in May with a 5.59 ERA in 10 outings, but he's rounded back into form with his recent dominant stretch. He's at a 2.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB through 25.2 innings while converting 15 of his 16 save chances this season.

Morton (4-7) allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Thursday over the Rays.

Morton gave up the opening run, a Danny Jansen RBI single in the third inning, but that was it. This was Morton's third quality start in his last five outings since rejoining the rotation May 26 versus the Cardinals. During that span, the veteran right-hander has earned all of his wins on the year while allowing just eight runs (seven earned) over 26 innings. His ERA is down to 5.64 with a 1.60 WHIP and 74:32 K:BB through 67 innings over 17 appearances (11 starts) this season. Morton is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.

Kwan went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the Giants.

Kwan tallied his eighth game with at least three hits this season, snapping a brief 0-for-13 stretch over his prior four outings entering Thursday. The contact-hitting outfielder has been quiet at the dish across his last 22 contests, during which he's slashing .259/.333/.370 with two homers, three doubles and six RBI covering 93 plate appearances. Four of Kwan's three-hit attacks in 2025 have come during that period, however.

Bigge (lat) is being evaluated at a local hospital after taking a 105-mph liner to the side of his face while in the dugout of Thursday's game against Baltimore, Ryan Bass reports.

Bigge suffered a scary injury that was originally believed to be related to his neck or eye. Fortunately, the issue wasn't sustained in either area, and he is coherent at the hospital. More details will likely become available Friday.

Montero did not factor into the decision in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

It was a solid outing for Montero, who came out of the bullpen in the second inning, with the lone blemish coming on an Andrew McCutchen solo home run in the third. The 24-year-old Montero has allowed just three runs over 10 innings in his last two appearances. His ERA is down to 4.02 with a 1.39 WHIP and 39:20 K:BB across 56 innings this season.

Vasil did not factor into the decision in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

Vasil opened with two scoreless innings but was tagged for six runs before failing to escape the fourth. He recorded a season-high six strikeouts but also surrendered two home runs for the first time in 21 appearances (three starts). On the season, the rookie owns a 2.94 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 38:27 K:BB across 49 innings. It has yet to be confirmed whether he will make another start or return to his long-relief role.

Benintendi went 4-for-9 with a grand slam, a triple and two runs scored in Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Benintendi had a productive twin bill, including a game-tying grand slam in the seventh inning of Game 2. It was his first homer since May 28, and Thursday marked the first time this season the 30-year-old has delivered back-to-back multi-hit performances. On the year, he's slashing .246/.309/.444 with seven long balls, 27 RBI and 22 runs scored across 192 plate appearances.

Manager Joe Espada said Thursday Alvarez (hand) still hasn't started hitting, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez originally landed on the shelf May 3 due to inflammation in his right hand, but he was diagnosed with a fracture in late May while dealing with lingering discomfort. The fracture was labeled about 60 percent healed when discovered, and he won't return to hitting until it's fully healed. Alvarez's return timeline is likely to remain murky until he's able to ramp up his activities.

Bigge (lat) was struck in the head by a foul ball while in the dugout during Thursday's game against the Orioles, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The exact severity of the issue is unclear, but it appeared to be a serious injury. Bigge was taken out on a stretcher after having his neck stabilized but was able to give a thumbs up to the crowd, per Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.