MLB Player News

Hoffman gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Saturday to record his 13th save of the season in an 8-7 win over the A's. He struck out one.

Keeping the ball in the yard was once again an issue for Hoffman, who served up a two-run blast to Brent Rooker with two outs. The right-hander's woes didn't end there -- his next pitch after the homer resulted in a double for Tyler Soderstrom, and Hoffman only avoided blowing the save when Ernie Clement robbed Shea Langeliers of a line-drive RBI single with a diving catch. Hoffman wraps up a nightmarish May with a 13.50 ERA over 10 innings thanks largely to five home runs allowed, and he blew three of his 10 save chances. Toronto hasn't indicated his job as closer is in jeopardy as of yet, but the 32-year-old will need to turn things around quickly in June to keep it that way.

Skubal allowed two hits and no walks while striking out seven in seven scoreless innings against the Royals on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision.

Skubal had all the momentum behind him heading into Saturday's game after firing a complete-game shutout against the Guardians last Sunday. He was locked into a fierce duel with Michael Wacha, with both pitchers tossing seven scoreless innings. Skubal needed just 90 pitches (63 strikes) and generated 14 whiffs while limiting the Royals to two baserunners. He has recorded at least seven strikeouts in each of his last seven outings, and his 99 punchouts (across 75.2 innings) is second most in the majors behind MacKenzie Gore (101). Skubal is lined up to face the White Sox on the road next week.

Lucas (3-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 8-7 victory over the A's, allowing four hits and a walk over 4.2 scoreless innings of relief. He struck out three.

The southpaw entered the game with one out in the second inning after opener Braydon Fisher coughed up five runs, and Lucas looked like he would have no more success than the right-hander did, quickly loading the bases on three straight singles. Lucas buckled down and escaped the jam, however, and cruised through the next four frames while the Toronto offense took control. This was expected to be just a spot outing in the rotation for the 28-year-old, who tossed 70 pitches (46 strikes), so he could be optioned right back to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for a fresh bullpen arm. If Lucas does stick around, however, Saturday's performance could give him a case to push Eric Lauer for the fifth starter role.

Pasquantino went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in Saturday's 1-0 win over Detroit.

Pasquantino was responsible for the game's lone run in the eighth inning, when he smacked a single to left field that brought Nick Loftin home. Pasquantino will end the month of May with a .330/.375/.464 slash line with three doubles, four home runs and 13 RBI in 120 plate appearances.

Wacha did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Tigers, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out six across seven scoreless innings.

Wacha was locked into a fierce duel with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on Saturday. Wacha retired 19 of the first 20 batters he faced, but he saw his no-hit bid come to an end in the seventh on a Colt Keith single to center field. Wacha managed to close out the inning without allowing another baserunner, finishing with his fifth quality start and third outing this season in which he yielded zero runs. He has a 2.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB across 68.2 innings this season. Wacha is lined up to face the White Sox on the road next weekend.

Buehler (4-3) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing five runs on 10 hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

He was primarily hurt by two long balls in the fourth inning, including a two-run blast off the bat of Ronald Acuna. Acuna managed just nine swinging strikes on 106 pitches, snapping a streak of six consecutive starts yielding three earned runs or fewer. The 30-year-old will bring a 4.44 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 42:15 K:BB over 46.2 innings into a tough road matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

Clarke went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays.

The 25-year-old Toronto native lofted a second-inning fastball from Braydon Fisher down the left-field line for the first homer of his big-league career, in his eighth career game. Clarke has had a tough time in the majors so far, posting a 1:16 BB:K while batting just .160 (4-for-25), but Saturday's performance might provide him with a jolt of confidence.

Hoglund (1-3) took the loss Saturday, surrendering eight runs on 10 hits -- including four home runs -- and two walks over six innings as the A's fell 8-7 to the Blue Jays. He struck out only one.

Long balls in the first, second, third and fifth innings sent the rookie right-hander to his third defeat in his last four starts, with Hoglund serving up multiple homers in each loss. Through his first 32.1 big-league innings, he's been taken deep 10 times, leading to a 6.40 ERA to go along with a 1.52 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB. It's not clear how much longer the A's will stick with the 25-year-old in the rotation, but he's currently scheduled to make his next start at home next week against the Twins.

Estevez earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Tigers, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Estevez was brought in for the ninth to maintain the Royals' lead and shutout bid. He allowed a single after retiring the first two batters, but he closed things out by inducing a Riley Greene groundout. Estevez has converted 16 of his 18 save opportunities this season and has not allowed a run over his last eight outings. He has a 1.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB across 25.1 innings this season.

Dezenzo was removed in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Rays due to left hand discomfort, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Dezenzo felt discomfort in his left hand during his last plate appearance in the fourth inning, and he was replaced by Mauricio Dubon in left field at the top of the sixth frame, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Dezenzo went 1-for-2 with a run scored prior to his exit.