MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora said Casas suffered a significant knee injury during Friday's game against the Twins, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Casas stepped on first base awkwardly while trying to beat out a throw in the second inning. He left the field on a stretcher and was transported to a hospital. The Red Sox will know more about the extent of his injury Saturday, but it doesn't seem like the 25-year-old will be back in the lineup anytime soon. Romy Gonzalez will likely take over as Boston's primary first baseman going forward.

O'Hearn went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 3-0 win over the Royals.

O'Hearn put the Orioles on the board in the seventh inning when he took Michael Wacha deep to center field for a two-run shot. It was O'Hearn's sixth home run of the season, three of which have come over his last five games. He's started the season slashing .303/.384/.579 with one stolen base, 12 runs scored and 13 RBI in 86 plate appearances.

Pepiot (2-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one batter over 4.1 innings.

Pepiot allowed at least one baserunner in each of the first four innings, but was able to maneuver out of trouble without allowing a run. He was lifted in the fifth inning after giving up a walk and a double, and Pepiot was tagged for two runs after Paul Goldschmidt belted a three-run home run off Mason Montgomery. Pepiot generated just 10 first-pitch strikes and five whiffs on 88 pitches (55 strikes) and wasn't able to complete five innings for the first time in seven starts. He's in line to face the Phillies at home next week.

Fried (6-0) picked up the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Rays, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out six over seven scoreless innings.

It was another dominant performance by Fried, who faced the minimum number of batters in four of the seven innings. He generated 11 whiffs on 92 pitches (61 strikes) while inducing 10 groundball outs. Fried has recorded five straight quality starts and has allowed two or fewer runs in all seven of his outings this season. His six wins leads the majors and his 1.01 ERA through 44.2 innings is second best behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto (0.90). Fried is lined up to face the Padres at home next week.

Weaver earned the save against the Rays on Friday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Weaver came in for the ninth inning to preserve a three-run lead, and he did so with ease. He needed only 11 pitches (nine strikes) to close things out and finished the frame with back-to-back punchouts. Weaver has yet to yield a run over his 13 outings this season and has a 16:5 K:BB across 15 innings. He's taken over as the Yankees' go-to closer due to Devin Williams' poor start the season.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 3-0 win over the Rays.

Goldschmidt was the man responsible for all of Friday's scoring, belting a three-run shot off Mason Montgomery in the fifth inning. Goldschmidt is up to three home runs on the season, two of which have come in back-to-back games. He's recorded at least one hit in five of his last six games, going 8-for-23 with six runs scored and seven RBI over that span.

Ramirez was diagnosed with a mild right ankle sprain after leaving Friday's game against Toronto early.

Ramirez injured himself while trying to beat out a throw to first base in the third inning. The mild nature of his injury may allow him to avoid spending time on the injured list, though it's possible the Guardians play it safe and give their star third baseman a day or two off.

O'Neill (neck) may not need a minor-league rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 10-day injured list, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

General manager Mike Elias said Friday that O'Neill's return timeline from neck soreness is closer to "days" and not "weeks," so the outfielder seems to have a chance to be activated as soon as Sunday, when he's first eligible. While O'Neill is slashing only .215/.284/.385 with two home runs, three doubles and 10 RBI over 75 plate appearances this year, his elite 17.4 percent barrel rate suggests he's been a bit unlucky in the slugging department. Until O'Neill is cleared to return, Ramon Laureano should continue to play nearly every day in Baltimore's outfield.

Ramirez left Friday's game against the Blue Jays in the third inning with an apparent leg injury, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ramirez appeared to injure his right leg while stepping on first base to beat out a throw. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, and an update from the Guardians should be provided once he undergoes further tests. Daniel Schneemann pinch ran for Ramirez and will remain in the game at second base while Gabriel Arias shifts to third.

Westburg (hamstring) may not require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

General manager Mike Elias said Friday that Westburg's return timetable from a strained left hamstring is being measured in "days" and not "weeks," which appears to give the infielder a chance to be reinstated as early as Wednesday, when he's first eligible. Although Westburg is batting just .217 with four home runs and six RBI over 92 at-bats this season, he had gone 9-for-29 (.310) with one homer, two doubles and two RBI across his last seven games before going down. With Ramon Urias now dealing with hamstring tightness, the Orioles are left to lean on Emmanuel Rivera to handle the bulk of the action at third base in the interim.