MLB Player News

Estevez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Astros.

Estevez retired the side on six pitches, all strikes, to earn his seventh save of the season. The right-hander ceded a save chance to Lucas Erceg on Friday, but that was likely because Estevez had pitched two of the previous three days. He's still got the upper hand for save chances in the Royals' bullpen, having converted seven of nine opportunities so far this season. Estevez has a steady 2.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB over 13 innings. He's no stranger to having a high walk rate -- his 2.0 BB/9 over 55 innings last year was by far the lowest mark of his career. That said, it could become an issue if he starts allowing more hits.

Robert went 1-for-4 with a homer, a steal, three runs scored and a walk in Saturday's 10-3 victory over the Athletics.

The White Sox center fielder opened the game's scoring when he cracked a 352-foot solo shot off starter Jeffrey Springs in the first frame. Robert also tallied his first game with three runs scored this season, marking the first time he's done that since May 7, 2023. It's been a challenging start to the season for the 27-year-old, as he's now slashing .148/.269/.273 across 106 plate appearances.

Wacha (1-3) earned the win Saturday over the Astros, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six over six shutout innings.

This was Wacha's best start of the campaign so far, with six innings and six strikeouts both being season highs. He walked multiple batters for the fourth time in six starts but didn't allow a runner to get past second base en route to his first win of the season. Wacha has pitched pretty well, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB across 32 over six starts. His 3.4 BB/9 is elevated compared to recent seasons -- he posted a 2.4 BB/9 last year and his highest in the last four years is the 2.9 mark he had in 2023 with the Padres. If he can get that area under control, Wacha should again be an even more reliable innings eater in the middle of the Royals' rotation. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at Baltimore.

Valdez (1-3) tossed a complete game in Saturday's loss to the Royals, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over eight innings.

Valdez allowed a sacrifice fly for the opening run in the first inning and also gave up a solo home run to Vinnie Pasquantino in the fifth. This was Valdez's fourth quality start in six outings this season. He's also allowed just three homers while maintaining a 4.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB across 36 innings. He's lined up for a favorable matchup in his next outing, which is projected to be on the road versus the White Sox.

Cannon (1-3) picked up the win Saturday against the Athletics, yielding three runs on six hits and two walks over 7.2 innings. He struck out five.

The Chicago right-hander looked sharp in this outing, working behind opener Tyler Gilbert, who fired a clean first inning. Cannon generated a respectable 14 whiffs out of 95 total pitches. The 24-year-old now sports a 4.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB across 32 innings. Given his success pitching behind an opener, it would not be surprising to see the White Sox use Cannon in the same role for his next appearance, which currently lines up to be against the Astros at home.

Woods Richardson (2-2) earned the win against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Woods Richardson limited the Angels to just four base runners, and his only blemish came in the third inning when gave up a solo homer to Zach Neto. It was the second time in his last three outings that Woods Richardson gave up just one earned run, and the 24-year-old right-hander has a 4.07 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 26:6 K:BB across 24.1 innings this season. His next start is slated for next week on the road against the Guardians.

Springs (3-3) took the loss Saturday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The 32-year-old southpaw was unsteady out the gate against the lowly White Sox, who managed to lace four extra-base hits (one homer and three doubles) in the first inning. Springs was unable to recover from there, but he tossed 100 total pitches to absorb innings for the bullpen. Springs has floundered in his first season with the Athletics, pitching to a 6.04 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB across 28.1 innings. He currently lines up to make his next start at Texas this upcoming week.

Correa went 2-for-5 with one run scored and two RBI in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Angels.

Correa got the Twins on the board in the first inning on an RBI single, and he extended the lead to four in the second when he brought Byron Buxton home on a single to left field. Correa has struggled at the dish this season, but he's 3-for-7 with two walks and three RBI through the first two games of this series.

Kikuchi (0-4) took the loss against the Twins on Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits and four walks over two innings. He did not strike out a batter.

Kikuchi yielded three runs in the first frame off six singles (including four straight to start the game) and a walk. The veteran southpaw gave up another run in the second inning and was lifted ahead of the third after tossing 66 pitches (37 strikes) and generating just three whiffs. Saturday's outing was a stark contrast to his previous start against the Giants on April 20, when he tossed 5.1 innings without giving up an earned run. Kikuchi is now up to a 4.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through 31.1 innings, and his 18 walks is tied with Carlos Rodon for second most in the American League behind Charlie Morton (20).

Neto went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Twins.

Neto gave the Angels their only run of the game when he took Simeon Woods Richardson deep to left-center field in the third inning for a solo home run. Neto has recorded three hits in two of his last three games, and over that span he has gone 7-for-13 with two solo home runs.