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Drew Rasmussen SP | TB
Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Pitches five innings once again
Rasmussen allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings Thursday against Arizona. He didn't factor into the decision.
Although Rasmussen did yield a season-high four runs and five hits, he still pitched at least five innings in his fifth straight start to open the campaign. The right-hander also gave up his first homer, a leadoff solo shot in the fifth frame to Tim Tawa, but it's been a steady beginning to the season overall. Rasmussen will be looking to reach the 90-pitch marker for the first time this year in his next start, which is poised to come versus the Royals at home. He boasts a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB over 25.2 innings.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Bounces back with solo homer
Jung went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics.
Jung snapped a 10-game homer drought with a fourth-inning shot off Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn. While Jung posted four multi-hit efforts in his first six outings of the year, he's cooled off considerably since then. The third baseman is hitting just .128 (5-for-39) with two doubles and two runs scored across his last 10 contests, but Jung should still see plenty of RBI opportunities as long as he's functioning from the heart of Texas' lineup.
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Jac Caglianone RF | KC
Royals' Jac Caglianone: Getting time in the outfield
Caglianone made his first career start in the outfield in right field Thursday for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, MLB.com reports. He's hitting .284/.356/.500 with four home runs in 18 games.
Kansas City has had very little production from their outfield this season, so this could get Caglianone to the majors faster if he's able to hold his own with his glove. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft is primarily a first baseman and hadn't previously played the outfield in the minors or college.
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Luke Jackson RP | SEA
Rangers' Luke Jackson: First blown save in second loss
Jackson (0-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk in one inning. He struck out one.
Jackson entered the game with a runner on base in the eighth inning and put out Brent Rooker to protect a 3-2 lead, but trouble arose in the ninth frame. The first of his two runs allowed was unearned due to a Leody Taveras fielding error, but Jacob Wilson's walk-off single saddled Jackson with his first blown save of the year. The veteran right-hander has still converted seven of his eight save chances to go with a respectable 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB over 10 frames, so he figures to remain the favorite for ninth-inning work in Texas' bullpen for the time being, despite Thursday's showing.
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Christian Vazquez C | HOU
Twins' Christian Vazquez: Breaks out of slump
Vazquez went 2-for-3 with two doubles in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the White Sox.
Vazquez entered the game hitting just .100/.152/.167 and was losing playing time, so this was a much needed performance. Manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minnesota Star Tribune Thursday that Ryan Jeffers will get more playing time with Vazquez's slow start.
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Jacob deGrom SP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Fans six in no-decision
DeGrom didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Athletics after allowing two runs on six hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out six.
DeGrom was able to keep the ball in the yard at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, and this was his second start of the year in which he didn't lend a free pass. The star right-hander also induced 12 whiffs Thursday. The Rangers are being careful with the oft-injured deGrom's workload, as he's reached the 90-pitch threshold in just one his first five outings. DeGrom holds a strong 3.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB across 27 innings ahead of his next scheduled appearance, currently set to come at home against these same Athletics.
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J.T. Ginn SP | ATH
Athletics' J.T. Ginn: Plagued by long ball vs. Rangers
Ginn didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rangers after allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out two.
The long ball proved to be a major problem for Ginn, who gave up a career-high three home runs Thursday. It was also the shortest outing of the year so far for the right-hander, and he recorded a season-low two punchouts. Ginn could have some streaming value in fantasy against softer lineups, as he entered play with an elite 61.5 percent groundball rate, but he has a 4.61 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 13.2 innings (three starts). He doesn't shape up as an appealing option in his next projected outing in Texas for a rematch with the Rangers.
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Bailey Horn P | DET
Tigers' Bailey Horn: Optioned back to minors
Horn was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.
Horn was recalled to the majors Saturday and appeared in a game Tuesday, completing 1.1 innings while striking out two. He will likely have the chance to contribute out of the big-league bullpen later in the campaign.
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Zachary Neto SS | LAA
Angels' Zach Neto: First multi-hit effort this season
Neto went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Thursday's win over the Pirates.
It was the first multi-hit effort of the year by Neto, who also totaled a season-high seven bases Thursday in his sixth game of the campaign. Despite hitting just .238 over his first 21 at-bats, the infielder is already up to two doubles and two homers with four RBI. Neto missed the first few weeks of the campaign while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but he should be a strong source of power and speed at the shortstop position for fantasy managers going forward. Neto clubbed 23 homers and stole 30 bases over 155 games last year.
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Zak Kent RP | WAS
Guardians' Zak Kent: Right back to Columbus
Kent was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, SI.com reports.
Kent joined the big-league club Monday and threw three innings Wednesday, allowing one earned run with four strikeouts. He'll immediately head back to Columbus but should have the chance to contribute again in Cleveland later in the campaign.