MLB Player News

Smith allowed four hits while striking out seven over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Marlins on Saturday. He did not issue a walk.

It was another strong performance by the 25-year-old right-hander, who generated 17 whiffs on 87 pitches (58 strikes) and faced the minimum number of batters in three of the six innings he worked. However, Smith wasn't able to come away with the win, as the Marlins tacked on three runs over the seventh and eighth innings. He sports a 2.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 43.1 innings, which rank seventh and 16th, respectively, in the American League among qualified starters. Smith is slated to take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field next weekend in a Windy City duel.

Caratini went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 13-9 loss to the Reds.

Caratini finished off the Astros' six-run third inning with a two-run homer off Brady Singer. It was Caratini's second home run of the season, both of which have come over his last five starts. He is slashing .255/.356/.431 with nine runs scored, two home runs and four RBI this season.

Pena went 3-for-6 with a stolen base, two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 13-9 loss to the Reds.

Pena smacked an RBI single and double in the fifth and ninth innings, respectively, for his ninth multi-hit game of the season, and he was one of four Astros batters to record two RBI. Pena has reached base safely in 12 of his last 13 games, and over that span he has slashed .357/.390/.536 with two home runs, seven runs and 11 RBI.

Wallner (hamstring) has started up a running program that includes turns, and he's also taking batting practice, MLB.com reports.

Wallner is making progress in his recovery from the hamstring strain he suffered nearly a month ago, but a timetable for him to begin a rehab assignment isn't clear. He was diagnosed with a Grade 3 strain, with the team initially giving him an estimated return of early June. Since he's only starting to run full speed and hasn't yet run the bases, that timetable may be a little optimistic, however.

Tonkin (shoulder) suffered a setback during his rehab assignment, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He's made six rehab outings between Low-A Fort Myers and Triple-A St. Paul, allowing eight earned runs with a 10:4 K:BB ratio in 7.2 innings.

Details on his setback are not clear, but his timetable to return is now uncertain. Tonkin suffered a right shoulder strain early in spring training and began the season on the injured list.

McCullers (0-1) took the loss against the Reds on Saturday, allowing seven runs on three hits and three walks while recording just one out in the first inning. He did not record a strikeout.

It was a brutal outing for McCullers in just his second start since being activated from the 15-day injured list May 4. He gave up a three-run home run to Elly De La Cruz, and after recording a groundout, McCullers proceeded to put the next four batters he faced on base before being mercifully lifted for Logan VanWey. McCullers will look to put Saturday's outing behind him and hit the reset button ahead of his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Rangers.

Laureano hit a solo home run as a pinch hitter in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.

Laureano is 4-for-12 (.333) over his last four games, logging two homers and two doubles in that span. The outfielder is up to a .212/.264/.515 slash line with five long balls, eight RBI, eight runs scored and a stolen base over 28 contests. Laureano is seeing more than a strict platoon role, but he's competing with Heston Kjerstad for one spot in the lineup versus right-handed pitchers now that Tyler O'Neill (neck) is back from a stint on the injured list.

Gibson (0-2) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Angels.

Gibson has been awful since he was added to the big-league roster April 29. He's pitched to a 13.11 ERA, 2.49 WHIP and 9:6 K:BB across 11.2 innings over three starts after signing with the Orioles in late March. The 37-year-old could be at risk of losing his place on the major-league roster when Zach Eflin (lat) returns Sunday, as Gibson hasn't done enough to warrant sticking around. However, it's also possible Gibson stays in the rotation since Charlie Morton pitched out of the bullpen Saturday, tossing two perfect innings. In any case, Gibson is not an option for fantasy managers given his current level of performance.

Lugo went 1-for-4 with an RBI triple in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Lugo made his first career start Saturday, patrolling left field and batting ninth after making his major-league debut as a pinch runner Friday. The 24-year-old needed just two at-bats to deliver his first big-league hit, an RBI triple that stretched the Angels' lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning. It's unclear how much playing time Lugo will be able to carve out while the Angels contend with the absences of Mike Trout (knee) and Gustavo Campero (ankle). Given abysmal offensive performance from the team's outfielders, the opportunity for Lugo to steal a job is there.

Adell went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Adell is clawing back some playing time with power -- he's homered three times over his last five games. All of those long balls have been solo shots, but it's part of a 5-for-14 run at the plate in that span. The outfielder is up to five homers, 17 RBI, eight runs scored, one steal and a .200/.236/.381 slash line through 32 contests. Adell's numbers wouldn't warrant a full-time role if the Angels' outfield was fully healthy, but the team is missing Mike Trout (knee) and Gustavo Campero (knee), and neither of those players is expected to return within the next week.