MLB Player News

Fairbanks blew a save opportunity against the Red Sox on Monday, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter in 1.1 innings.

Rays manager Kevin Cash turned to Fairbanks in a key spot with two outs and a runner on base in the bottom of the eighth frame. The right-hander got Jarren Duran to strike out to preserve a one-run lead, and he looked to be in a great position to close things out after Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. However, Fairbanks couldn't get the job done -- he allowed two runs in the bottom of the inning to allow the game to go into extra frames. The blown save was just the second in 14 attempts for Fairbanks this season, and it was his first since May 8. Prior to Monday, the veteran closer hadn't allowed an earned run in any of his previous nine appearances.

Baz completed 5.1 innings against Boston on Monday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five batters in a no-decision.

Baz was excellent through four innings, giving up zero runs and allowing just three baserunners. The right-hander was struck by a 111.2 mph comebacker off the bat of Roman Anthony in the bottom of the fourth however, and he then gave up a run in the fifth. Baz still entered the sixth frame in line for a victory, but he allowed the first two batters he faced in that inning to reach base (on a walk and a hit-by-pitch), and both came around to score after his departure. He's been mediocre but consistent in his past three outings, giving up exactly three runs while completing between 5.0 and 5.2 frames in each start. Baz's numbers on the campaign -- including a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP -- are also mediocre, though he's managed to compile a 5-3 record. He'll look to improve upon that mark in his next start, which lines up to be a tough road test against the Mets.

Bleday hit a two-run home run in his lone at-bat in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Angels.

Bleday could get shuffled out of the lineup more frequently now that Nick Kurtz (hip) is back from a stint on the injured list. Bleday was on the bench to start Monday, but he delivered when entering as a pinch hitter for Willie MacIver in the eighth inning. Kurtz's return will likely mean more of Tyler Soderstrom in left field, though Bleday could also push Denzel Clarke in center field, which is a place where Bleday would have a platoon advantage. He'll still need to hit his way into a job, as he's sporting a mediocre .200/.300/.367 slash line with seven homers, 21 RBI, 27 runs scored and a stolen base over 207 plate appearances this season.

Muncy went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Angels.

Muncy has found his power with three homers over his last four games. He has gone 6-for-21 (.286) across five games since his recall from Triple-A Las Vegas. The infield prospect started slow during his first stint in the majors, but he looks to be putting the pieces together the second time around. He's at a .202/.228/.382 slash line with four homers, 10 RBI, seven runs scored, four doubles and no stolen bases over 92 plate appearances. He has a short-term path to a starting role at third base, but Gio Urshela (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment soon and could pose a threat to Muncy's playing time later in the month.

Springs (5-5) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over six innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Angels.

Springs worked behind an opener for the second outing in a row, and the results have been mixed at best. He's allowed eight runs (six earned) over 12.2 innings in that span, though he also has a 15:2 K:BB across those two bulk-relief appearances. He's gone winless in five straight outings and now has a 4.64 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 64:31 K:BB through 73.2 innings over 14 appearances (12 starts) this season. Springs is tentatively scheduled for a road outing versus the Royals in his next appearance, though it's not yet clear whether he'll operate as a starter or follow an opener once again.

Neto went 2-for-4 with one RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in Monday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.

Neto is taking advantage of his hot bat this month to make some noise on the basepaths. He has three steals on four attempts over his last four games, and he's batting .286 (10-for-35) over eight contests in June. The shortstop is up to 11 thefts on 14 attempts this season, though his running shouldn't come as a surprise after he swiped 30 bags last year. Neto has added a .272/.307/.497 slash line, 10 home runs, 26 RBI and 37 runs scored over 202 plate appearances.

Schanuel went 2-for-4 with one RBI, one stolen base and one run scored in Monday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.

Schanuel has hit safely in five of his last six games, going 8-for-24 (.333) with four doubles and six RBI in that span. The steal was just his second of the season, as the first baseman typically doesn't add much speed or power despite steady contact skills. For the year, he's up to a .276/.374/.385 slash line with three home runs, 20 RBI, 34 runs scored, 13 doubles and a triple over 63 contests.

Adell went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two additional RBI in Monday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.

Adell's fourth-inning homer stretched the Angels' lead to 4-0, and he added a two-run single for insurance in the eighth. The outfielder is up to 12 homers on the year, six of which he's swatted over his last nine games, a span in which he is 9-for-29 (.310) with 10 RBI. Adell is now at a .226/.297/.469 slash line over 58 contests, but he's added 90 points to his OPS just since the end of May (.676 to .766), which is enough to keep him firmly in a starting role in center field.

Jansen recorded the final out in Monday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.

Shaun Anderson allowed two runs in a non-save situation in the ninth inning, prompting Jansen's entry with two outs and the bases empty. Jansen was tidy, getting a groundout from Luis Urias on three pitches to end the game. Jansen has pitched much better in save situations than non-save situations this season, in part because he gave up six earned runs May 2 in a non-save situation. He's now at a 4.57 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB while earning 14 saves over 21.2 innings this season.

Kikuchi (2-5) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over 7.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Monday.

Kikuchi retired the first 13 batters he faced. While he allowed both baserunners in the fifth inning, he was able to keep runs off the board in what was easily his best performance of the year. This is the first time he's completed seven innings all season, and it was his first quality start since May 12 versus the Padres since he had failed to finish six frames in each of his last four outings. Kikuchi had also walked at least four batters in those contests before showing better control Monday. He's at a 2.92 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 68:41 K:BB through 77 innings over 14 starts this season. Kikuchi is lined up for a road start in Baltimore this weekend.