MLB Player News

Altavilla recorded a save against the Royals on Saturday, walking one batter in a hitless and scoreless inning of work.

Chicago held a 4-1 lead heading into the ninth inning, and Altavilla was given the chance to slam the door. He threw just eight of 15 pitches for strikes and issued a two-out walk but was able to get the job done without allowing any runs to cross the plate. Altavilla has been quite good since joining the big-league roster May 30, tossing five scoreless innings over five appearances, though he's issued four walks in that brief span. His save Saturday was just the second of his big-league career in 129 regular-season outings. That being said, Chicago doesn't have a dedicated closer -- seven different relievers have exactly one save this season, and none have more than one -- so Altavilla is just as likely as anyone in the bullpen to get the next save opportunity that arises.

Houser (2-1) earned the win over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings.

Houser gave up a second-inning solo homer to Vinnie Pasquantino but didn't allow any other runs or extra-base hits. The right-handed hurler tied his season high with six punchouts -- a mark he's tallied in each of his past three outings -- and has now notched a quality start in each of first four appearances this season. Houser hasn't finished a campaign with an ERA below 4.12 or a WHIP under 1.39 since 2021, so fantasy managers are justified in being skeptical about the red-hot start to his White Sox tenure. That being said, Houser now holds a sparkling 1.48 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with a 20:6 K:BB through 24.1 innings, so he's becoming hard to ignore on waiver wires.

Tonkin (shoulder/biceps) threw a scoreless inning Saturday with a walk and strikeout in a rehab outing with Triple-A St. Paul.

Tonkin started the season on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain. He was cleared for a rehab assignment in mid-April and made six appearances in the minors, but his throwing program was paused due to right biceps tendinitis. He's started up another rehab assignment and could be activated from the injured list later this month.

Akin didn't suffer an injury during Saturday's game against the Athletics, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Akin was spotted walking across the field at Sutter Health Park with trainers in between the fifth and sixth innings, suggesting he had suffered an injury. However, the team quickly clarified that it was just a coincidence that Akin departed at the same time as the training staff. He allowed a hit and recorded one out, earning the win Saturday versus the A's.

Akin exited Saturday's game with three trainers, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Akin threw only one pitch and allowed a hit, but the Orioles threw out JJ Bleday at home to end the fifth inning. Rather than stay out for the sixth, Akin was seen walking to the visitors' clubhouse with three trainers. The nature of the issue is currently unclear.

Westburg (hamstring) went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double and a walk in Saturday's rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk.

Westburg is up to seven minor-league appearances during his assignment, having now slashed .360/.429/.760 with two homers, four doubles and five RBI over 28 plate appearances. It seems as though the Orioles are taking a cautious approach with the 26-year-old infielder, who has been sidelined since late April due to a left hamstring strain and subsequent setback. It remains unclear how much more action Baltimore wants Westburg to get in the minors, but he appears to be on the verge of a return.

Rodriguez was helped off the field by athletic trainers after being hit in the ankle by a line drive Saturday against the Angels, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez attempted to steal third base in the top of the third inning and was struck by a 98.1-mph liner off the bat of Randy Arozarena. Rodriguez will likely undergo medical imaging, which should provide a clearer picture of the severity of the issue.

Paddack came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander needed 86 pitches (55 strikes) to deliver his fourth quality start in his last six trips to the mound, a stretch in which he's posted a 1.85 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB over 39 innings. Paddack has stayed healthy in 2025, and the 29-year-old has emerged as an incredibly consistent option for Minnesota, pitching five innings or more and giving up three earned runs or fewer in 12 straight trips to the mound. Paddack will look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Houston.

Springer went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Twins.

The 35-year-old played hero by taking Griffin Jax deep in the eighth inning to put the Blue Jays in front 4-3, before the teams traded runs in the ninth. Springer is up to 10 homers on the season, with half of them coming in the last nine games -- a stretch in which he's batting .281 (9-for-32) with nine RBI and 10 runs scored.

Hoffman struck out one and gave up a solo home run in the ninth inning Saturday to record his 15th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Twins.

Kody Clemens made things interesting by turning on a 96.6-mph fastball, but Hoffman otherwise had little trouble handling the bottom of the Minnesota order. The right-hander has converted five straight save chances, but keeping the ball in the yard remains an issue -- Hoffman has served up seven homers in 28.2 innings this year, saddling him with a 5.65 ERA despite a 1.12 WHIP and 42:8 K:BB.