MLB Player News

Melton went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base during Thursday's 8-2 win over the Pirates.

Melton picked up a couple of career firsts in Friday's big win. First, he picked up the first two RBI of his big-league career with a two-run single. Then, he showed off his speed and stole second for the first stolen base of his career. The 24-year-old has started five straight games since his promotion, seeing time at all three outfield spots, and Melton should continue to get an extended look with Yordan Alvarez (hand) on the injured list for the foreseeable future and the Jose Altuve experiment in left field losing steam.

Paredes went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI during Thursday's 8-2 win over the Pirates.

Paredes smoked two home runs Thursday to finish the series against the Bucs with three, bringing his season total up to 14. The 26-year-old is slashing .252/.347/.474 with 37 RBI on the season, numbers in line with his 2023 season, when he hit 31 home runs and drove in 98 runs for the Rays. Paredes also didn't strike out in a game for the first time in seven contests, bringing his strikeout rate down to 16.6 percent for the season.

Pena went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base during Thursday's 8-2 win over the Pirates.

Pena turned in his first performance of the season with multiple two-baggers and showed off his speed in a different way by swiping his 11th base of the year. The 27-year-old shortstop has been a tough out lately, batting .432 (19-for-44) with four doubles, three home runs and six RBI over a 12-game hit streak.

Valdez (6-4) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out 11 in seven innings during Thursday's 8-2 win over the Pirates.

Valdez turned in one of his best performances of the season Thursday, striking out a season-high 11 batters on the way to the win. The 31-year-old has been dominant of late, notching six straight performances of at least six innings with three runs or fewer. Over that stretch he has a 1.84 ERA in 44 innings with 47 strikeouts. The left-hander's next scheduled start is a favorable home matchup with the White Sox on Wednesday.

Wright (shoulder) struck out five and gave up one hit and one walk over 3.2 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Wright's rehab assignment moved up to Triple-A Omaha after beginning at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. The 29-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since September 2023 with Atlanta due to shoulder surgery and subsequent setbacks. The road back has been long and challenging, and while there may not be a clear spot in Kansas City's rotation, Wright is expected to be activated soon and could contribute out of the bullpen.

Rooker went 3-for-4 with one double, three RBI, three runs scored and one walk in Thursday's 14-3 victory over the Twins.

Rooker opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning of what turned into a blowout. The 30-year-old has been especially impressive over his past 15 games, slashing .373/.448/.610 with eight extra-base hits. On a struggling Athletics team, Rooker has emerged as one of the league's top power hitters with 82 homers since the start of 2023.

Muncy went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 14-3 victory over the Twins.

Muncy was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday after being optioned to the minors April 20. The 22-year-old struck out three times in his return Tuesday but redeemed himself with a three-run homer in the first inning Thursday. The 2021 first-round pick has posted markedly different results across levels, slashing .325/.397/.504 in 31 Triple-A games compared to .195/.225/.325 over 23 contests in the majors.

Butler went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, two walks and one steal in Thursday's 14-3 victory over the Twins.

Butler didn't drive in a run, but he extended his hot streak in Thursday's lopsided win. The 24-year-old has been on a tear lately, slashing .383/.464/.700 with 12 extra-base hits in his past 15 games. Sporting a .805 OPS on the season, the right fielder has been a major bright spot atop the lineup for a struggling Athletics team.

The Twins intend to promote Adams to the majors Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The Twins' pitching staff is shorthanded in the absence of Pablo Lopez (shoulder), and David Festa was crushed filling in for a start Thursday. Meanwhile, Adams is another of the team's top pitching prospects and has turned in a 37:10 K:BB across 42 innings with Triple-A St. Paul this season while working in a bulk-relief role. That usage suggests Adams will begin his big-league career in the bullpen, but it wouldn't take him long to stretch back out to pitch as a traditional starter.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.

Smith was caught stealing on his first attempt of the game, but he found success on his second try. The utility player has upped his speed productivity lately, swiping three bags while going 8-for-28 (.286) over his last seven games. He's at a .266/.333/.397 slash line with five home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored and eight steals on 11 attempts through 54 contests this season. Smith continues to find a place in the lineup without having a set position -- he's seen time at first base, third base, shortstop and designated hitter in the last week alone.