MLB Player News

Castillo allowed two hits and issued two walks while striking out six batters over four scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Monday.

After struggling mightily as a traditional starter this season, Castillo was deployed out of the bullpen for the first time in his career in his previous appearance May 19. The veteran righty was then moved back into a starting role Monday, but the plan all along was to pair him with Bryce Miller. Castillo ended up thriving with that setup, holding the A's to just two hits while racking up 12 whiffs and six punchouts over four frames. He was pulled after 68 pitches in favor of Miller, who fared well himself in closing out the contest by giving up two runs over five innings. It remains to be seen how Seattle will use Castillo going forward, but he made a case to remain a starter -- at least as part of a tandem -- with his performance Monday. Of course, it will dampen his fantasy value considerably if he's limited to fewer than five innings and 70 pitches as he was against the A's.

Bibee (0-7) took the loss Monday against the Nationals, allowing seven runs on eight hits while striking out three over three innings.

Bibee's search for his first win of the season took a rough turn Monday, as he surrendered a career-high five home runs, which accounted for all seven runs he allowed. The right-hander had done a solid job limiting the long ball entering the outing, giving up only four homers total across his previous 10 starts. Prior to this blowup, Bibee had posted a strong 2.59 ERA over his last seven outings while allowing two or fewer runs in all but two of them. He now owns a 4.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 55:21 K:BB across 63 innings and will once again look for his first win of 2026 in his next scheduled start against Boston.

Smith (hamstring) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Smith had a slow start to 2026 after picking up a hamstring injury. However, he successfully completed a rehab assignment and has returned to High-A Bowling Green. He's now 3-for-13 with two stolen bases and three runs scored in four games since being activated.

Nichols (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

The nature of Nichols' injury remains a mystery, but he's been cleared to rejoin Double-A Montgomery. The 23-year-old drew the start in Friday's matchup against Knoxville, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two across 1.2 innings.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Monday's 9-0 win over the Rangers.

Amid the Astros' no-hit bid, Walker broke the game wide open with a line-drive, three-run homer to extend the lead to 7-0 in the seventh inning. It was deja vu for the first baseman, as it marked the second consecutive game in which he launched a three-run homer to left-center field after taking Shota Imanaga deep Sunday. On the heels of a relatively disappointing first campaign with Houston in 2025, Walker has re-emerged as a feared slugger at the plate in 2026, slashing .265/.339/.540 with 15 homers, 10 doubles, 40 RBI and 32 runs across 55 games.

Jimenez (finger) was activated from the 7-day injured list Thursday.

Jimenez was placed on the injured list to begin the 2026 campaign due to a fractured right ring finger, but he's been cleared to return to action at Single-A Fort Myers. The 20-year-old is 3-for-11 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored in three appearances since being activated.

Erceg (3-2) suffered a blown save and took the loss Monday against the Yankees, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with zero strikeouts in one inning.

Erceg entered in the top of the ninth to protect a 3-2 lead. He got Cody Bellinger to ground out to lead off the inning but then allowed four straight hits to suffer his fourth blown save of the season. The right-hander has now had back-to-back miserable outings after allowing three runs on four hits Sunday against the Mariners. With the two bad outings, Erceg's ERA has ballooned from 3.26 to 5.06 with an 18:13 K:BB across 21.1 innings in 2026.

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a home run, an additional RBI and a walk in Monday's win over the Rangers.

After sitting out Sunday's contest due to back spasms, Alvarez returned to the lineup and got back to mashing, tallying a sacrifice fly in the first inning before blasting a 110.6 mph rocket over the right-center field wall for a solo homer in the fourth frame. The star designated hitter entered Monday's game in a mini-slump, going 4-for-25 (.160) across the previous three series. On the year, the 28-year-old has been one of the top hitters in MLB, slashing .301/.415/.606 with 16 homers, 11 doubles, 33 RBI, 32 runs and a stolen base across 54 games.

Escarra went 3-for-4 with three singles in Monday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

Escarra made just his eighth start of the month behind the dish and snapped an 0-for-13 skid at the plate with the three-hit day. He raised his average from .157 to .200 with the three singles, as Escarra now owns a .541 OPS with seven RBI across 60 plate appearances in 2026.

Paez (hip) struck out four across three scoreless innings during Saturday's game against Double-A Reading.

Paez received some time to recover after experiencing soreness in his right hip, but he was cleared to toe the rubber Saturday and looked sharp. He owns a 4.22 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with a 10:1 K:BB across 10.2 innings so far this season while pitching for Double-A Portland.