MLB Player News

Armstrong walked one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Astros.

This was a game played on narrow margins, and Armstrong got the job done after Jacob deGrom outdueled Hunter Brown over the first eight innings. This was Armstrong's second save in three days, and it appears he's the next man up while Luke Jackson (hand) and Chris Martin (elbow) are unavailable. Armstrong has done fairly well this year with a 2.89 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB across 18.2 innings, earning two saves and two holds as well as one blown save in 17 appearances. He's just a temporary closer for now, and it's likely Armstrong will resume more of a middle-relief role once the Rangers' bullpen is healthier.

DeGrom (4-1) allowed five hits and one walk while striking out seven over eight shutout innings to earn the win over the Astros on Thursday.

DeGrom turned in a vintage performance while battling Hunter Brown in a pitching duel. A Jake Burger home run was all the support deGrom needed to secure his fourth straight win. He's allowed two runs or less in six straight starts while racking up a fantastic 40:5 K:BB across 36.1 innings in that span. For the season, deGrom is sporting a 2.29 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 53:11 K:BB across 51 innings through nine starts. He's projected for a tough road outing versus the Yankees next week.

Brown (6-2) pitched a complete game despite taking the loss versus the Rangers on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out nine without walking a batter over eight innings.

Brown started with four perfect innings before giving up a double to Adolis Garcia in the fifth. Brown also allowed a solo shot to Jake Burger in the sixth, which was the lone run of the game. This was the fifth start in a row with exactly nine strikeouts for Brown, who continues to be superb. He's allowed one run or fewer in six of nine starts, and he's logged eight quality starts on the year. The 26-year-old is now at a 1.43 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 67:14 K:BB over 56.2 innings.

Sugano (4-3) took the loss Thursday against Minnesota, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Depth has been the primary source of Sugano's fantasy value this season, and he pitched into the seventh frame for the fourth time in six starts. However, he surrendered a season-high four runs and gave up multiple home runs for the third time in that six-start stretch. On the year, Sugano has a 3.08 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and a 29:9 K:BB over 52.2 innings.. He's slated to make his next start Tuesday at Milwaukee.

Paddack (2-3) picked up the win Thursday against Baltimore, allowing three hits and one walk with three strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.

Paddack cruised to his second consecutive victory, logging his first scoreless start of 2025. He's now allowed one or fewer runs in three of his last four starts, and he owns a 1.85 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 24.1 innings during that stretch. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Guardians.

Valera (knee) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, SI.com reports.

Valera is returning from a ruptured patellar tendon that has kept him sidelined since last September. He'll likely get plenty of time to find a rhythm at the dish and then begin his season at Triple-A Columbus when activated.

Bichette went 3-for-4 with a double in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Rays.

This was Bichette's fourth multi-hit effort over his last six games. He's also made some progress in the power department in that span, racking up two home runs and three doubles while going 9-for-23 (.391). Overall, the shortstop is slashing .290/.338/.415 with three homers, 21 RBI, 18 runs scored, 14 doubles and four steals over 43 contests.

Lukes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Rays.

Lukes went yard in the eighth inning, but the Blue Jays weren't able to make a comeback push out of it. He has been steady at the plate in May, going 10-for-30 with two homers and eight RBI over 11 contests this month. Lukes is up to a .273/.372/.439 slash line with three homers, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored and no stolen bases over 79 plate appearances. He doesn't have a defined position but has managed to sustain decent playing time as a fourth outfielder. Lukes has primarily been in competition with Jonatan Clase and Myles Straw over the last week.

Barger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Rays.

Barger's two homers this season have come over the last four games. His multi-hit effort Thursday salvaged a difficult divisional series for the third baseman, who was 0-for-7 with three strikeouts across the previous two contests to follow up a five-game hitting streak. On the year, he's at a .231/.286/.415 slash line with nine RBI, seven runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 70 plate appearances. Barger has started seven games in a row at third base and will likely continue to see ample playing time until Andres Gimenez (quadriceps) is able to return.

Matthews was placed on Triple-A Sugar Land's 7-day injured list after suffering a concussion Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Matthews suffered the injury on a slide. It's unfortunate timing, as he had been showing significant skills growth with Sugar Land prior to the injury. Notably, he had maintained a .269/.398/.462 line across his last 23 games.