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Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Collects trio of hits
Baez went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Monday's 9-6 win versus the Mariners.
Baez drew his first start at the hot corner since 2019 with the Cubs and made the most of his opportunity, producing his first three-hit game since May 18, 2024. The veteran infielder had a rough Grapefruit League, slashing .184/.279/.368 with a 4:9 BB:K across 43 plate appearances, so he will have to continue hitting like this performance to stay in the lineup.
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Emerson Hancock SP | SEA
Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Shellacked in loss
Hancock (0-1) took the loss Monday against Detroit, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning with no strikeouts.
The Seattle right-hander failed to escape the first inning as the Tigers whacked three extra-base hits (two doubles and a homer) off Hancock before he was mercifully relieved by Tayler Saucedo. Despite the rough 2025 debut, Hancock has a chance to keep a spot in the Mariners rotation while George Kirby (shoulder) is on the injured list, but he'll need to show improvement. Hancock, a 2020 first-round pick, currently lines up to make his next start at San Francisco this weekend.
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Jackson Jobe SP | DET
Tigers' Jackson Jobe: Shaky in season debut
Jobe did not factor into the decision in Monday's 9-6 victory over Seattle, pitching four innings while allowing three runs on three hits and four walks. He struck out three.
The Tigers rookie failed to reach the fifth inning and be eligible for the win despite his offense plating six runs in the first inning. Jobe struggled with his command in this outing, issuing four free passes after yielding six walks across 16.1 spring innings, and allowed two homers before being lifted after 79 pitches. Jobe will look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled to be against the White Sox at home this weekend.
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Brant Hurter RP | DET
Tigers' Brant Hurter: Tallies three-inning save
Hurter picked up the save in Monday's 9-6 win over Seattle, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks over three innings. He struck out two.
The lefty reliever entered in the seventh inning and finished off the victory to secure his first career save. The only blemish on Hurter's performance was a ninth inning two-run homer off the bat of Cal Raleigh when Detroit held a five-run lead. This was a rare save for Hurter, who should continue to serve in middle relief for the Tigers.
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Andres Gimenez SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Andres Gimenez: Power surge continues Monday
Gimenez went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a stolen base, a walk and an additional two runs scored in Monday's 5-2 win over Washington.
Gimenez got the Blue Jays into the scoring column with a solo shot in the second inning Monday. The 26-year-old former All-Star has put together an impressive power display during the very early stages of the campaign, as he's now slashing .333/.455/.944 with three long balls, two doubles, five RBI, and seven runs scored through five games. Although the slugging percentage is unsustainable, the speedy Gimenez is certainly thriving as Toronto's cleanup batter so far.
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Bowden Francis RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Takes no-hit bid into sixth inning
Francis (1-0) picked up the win after allowing two runs on two hits and three walks in six innings Monday against Washington. He struck out four.
Although Francis gave up just two hits, both were home runs. In fact, the right-hander had tossed five no-hit innings before CJ Abrams and James Wood went back-to-back for a couple of solo shots in the sixth frame. Francis is set to function as a full-time member of the rotation in 2025 and how has a 1.50 ERA over his last nine starts dating back to last year, with his next showing tentatively set for this weekend on the road against the Mets.
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Ronel Blanco SP | HOU
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Goes five in loss
Blanco (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Giants, pitching five innings while allowing three runs on three hits and three walks. He struck out six.
Blanco was not sharp during the Grapefruit League, pitching to an 8.44 ERA and 2.25 WHIP across 10.2 innings, and carried that malaise into this performance. The Houston right-hander labored across his five frames, requiring 92 pitches, only 43.5 percent of which found the strike zone, to complete the task. Blanco will look to bounce back in his next start this weekend, currently scheduled to be at Minnesota.
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Kumar Rocker SP | TEX
Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Crushed in Cincinnati
Rocker (0-1) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks over three innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against Cincinnati.
The Reds jumped on Rocker right out of the gate with a three-run first inning, spearheaded by Matt McLain's two-run homer. Things got worse in the second with Elly De La Cruz's three-run jack. Rocker gave up just one long ball through 11.2 frames at the MLB level last year. He touched 97 mph with the fastball and forced 10 swinging strikes on 74 total pitches (45 strikes). His next start is lined up to be at home against the Rays this weekend.
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Jake Mangum CF | PIT
Rays' Jake Mangum: Perfect at plate with two steals
Mangum went 4-for-4 with two RBI and two stolen bases in Monday's 6-1 win over Pittsburgh.
Mangum tallied his first major-league RBI with a two-run single in the fourth inning, also adding two steals in the victory. The switch-hitting outfielder has made his way onto Tampa Bay's roster due to Josh Lowe (oblique) being sidelined, and Monday's effort could earn him additional reps in the outfield while Lowe is on the shelf.
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Drew Rasmussen SP | TB
Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Shines with five two-hit innings
Rasmussen (1-0) picked up the win after allowing two hits and no walks in five scoreless innings Monday against the Pirates. He struck out four.
Rasmussen was sharp in his season debut Monday, scattering two singles against a Pittsburgh lineup that offered little to no resistance. The right-hander made just four starts (16 appearances) a year ago after missing most of 2023 due to an internal brace procedure, but he should serve as a full-time member of Tampa Bay's rotation this season. Rasmussen's next appearance is slated to come this weekend in Texas, which would be a tougher test.