MLB Player News

Allen didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four across 5.2 innings.

It was a nice bounce-back effort for Allen on Friday after he gave up seven runs to the Red Sox on April 27. He tallied 16 first-pitch strikes and nine whiffs across 104 pitches (66 strikes), and he was one out shy from logging his first quality start of the season. He's yielded two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings and has a 4.02 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 22:15 K:BB across 31.1 innings. Allen's next start is slated for next week on the road against the Nationals.

Hoffman logged a save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Guardians, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hoffman was brought in for the ninth inning to preserve a two-run lead, but it wasn't an easy going for the 32-year-old right-hander. He had runners on second and third after yielding a walk and a double, but Hoffman was able to escape unscathed after getting Gabriel Arias to ground out to third base. Hoffman needed 26 pitches (16 strikes) to secure his seventh save of the season, which may impact his availability for Saturday's contest.

Bassitt didn't factor into the decision in Friday's game against the Guardians, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four over 5.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Bassitt gave up solo home runs to Carlos Santana and Bo Naylor in the second and fourth innings, respectively, and Bassitt was tagged for a third run in the sixth before being lifted for Chad Green. Bassitt was able to generate 11 whiffs on 98 pitches (65 strikes) but fell two outs short of logging his third quality start of the season. He's allowed 11 runs over his last three outings and is up to a 2.95 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 39.2 innings. Bassitt is in line to face the Angels on the road next week.

Kirk went 3-for-4 with a two-run single in Friday's 5-3 win over Cleveland.

Kirk put the Jays on the board in the third inning on a single to left field that brought Vladimir Guerrero and Anthony Santander home. It was Kirk's ninth multi-hit game of the season, four of which have come over his last six games. Over that span, the 26-year-old backstop has gone 10-for-24 with one home run and six RBI.

Lukes went 1-for-2 with a two-run single in Friday's 5-3 win over the Guardians.

Lukes pinch hit for Myles Straw in the sixth inning and struck out, but the former bounced back in the eighth, when he smacked a two-run single to right field to give the Blue Jays a two-run lead. With Daulton Varsho back from the injured list, Lukes is competing with Straw, Alan Roden and Addison Barger for reps in the outfield. Lukes has gone 7-for-17 with one home run and four RBI over his last six games.

Springer went 1-for-1 with two walks, two runs scored, one stolen base and a solo home run in Friday's 5-3 win over the Guardians.

Springer was back in the starting lineup after getting Thursday off and played a key role in the Blue Jays' victory Friday. He belted a solo home run off Logan Allen in the fifth inning to give Toronto a lead, and after stealing second base in the eighth, Springer came around to score on a two-run single by Nathan Lukes. Springer ranks fourth and sixth in the American League in OPS (.946) and batting average (.314), respectively.

Joyce (shoulder) said Friday that he's no longer throwing but will try again next week, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The fireballing reliever indicated that he has paused his throwing program because he didn't feel right while recently playing catch. Joyce was placed on the injured list April 11, and given his continued shoulder discomfort, he's likely at least a few weeks away from a potential return. Per Fletcher, tests on Joyce's shoulder haven't revealed anything beyond his original diagnosis of inflammation.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 13-1 loss to the Mariners.

Smith's ninth-inning blast off Troy Taylor kept the Rangers from getting shut out, but that was about the only positive they could take from the game. Smith had gone just 5-for-28 (.179) over nine contests since his last homer against the Athletics on April 22. The utility player has slowed down a bit but still has a .296/.380/.457 slash line over 93 plate appearances this season. He's added three homers, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, four stolen bases and four doubles in 27 games.

Leiter (2-1) allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Mariners.

Leiter was doing alright initially, but he started to falter when he allowed a solo shot to Cal Raleigh in the fourth inning. Raleigh added a grand slam in the fifth as the Mariners batted around, knocking Leiter from the game. Those were the first two homers the 25-year-old right-hander has allowed across four starts this season. He's failed to complete five innings in either of his last two outings following a stint on the injured list due to a blister on his right middle finger. He's now at a 4.58 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across 17.2 innings this season. Leiter will have some ups and downs as a young pitcher finding his footing in the majors. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Boston.

Tellez went 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 13-1 win over the Rangers.

Since a three-game stretch with three homers and seven RBI from April 18-20 in Toronto, Tellez had gone just 2-for-12 across his last eight games. The first baseman broke out of that funk with a trio of singles Friday, making him one of six Mariners to log multiple hits in this blowout win. He's batting .194 with a .680 OPS, four homers, 13 RBI, nine runs scored and no stolen bases over 69 plate appearances this season. Tellez is in a strong-side platoon role at first base, though Donovan Solano has poached a few at-bats versus righties.