MLB Player News

The Rays assigned Walls (hip) to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

After developing inflammation in his surgically repaired right hip earlier this spring, Walls was shut down from activity for a bit, but he's progressed to the point that he's ready to test himself in a game setting. The infielder will eventually move up to a higher affiliate, but he'll likely be looking at a lengthy rehab assignment since he's been on the injured list all season. Walls will probably be in store for a role as a utility infielder once he's activated.

Hamilton started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 5-0 win over Tampa.

Hamilton made his fourth start in the last six games and has hit safely in five straight. Once a forgotten man on the roster -- he started just 12 times and had 50 plate appearances over 35 games after being called up April 6 -- Hamilton is 6-for-15 with four extra-base hits, three runs and three RBI during the hit streak. Vaughn Grissom (.135) has yet to establish himself as the everyday second baseman, so there is an opportunity for Hamilton to become a fantasy-relevant option.

Rafaela went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Monday's 5-0 win over the Rays.

Rafaela's two-run shot in the fifth inning was his fifth of the season and snapped an 0-for-16 skid. There have been several skids for Rafaela during his first full season in the majors; the 23-year-old is batting just .195 through 47 games.

Fry went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and two RBI in Monday's 3-1 win against the Mets.

Fry plated two of Cleveland's three runs with a single in the first inning. He has been swinging a hot bat in May, slashing .353/.488/.647 with three homers, seven RBI and 10 runs along with an 8:8 BB:K over 43 plate appearances. Fry also has a stolen base in each of his past two games after swiping just one bag across his first 30 games this season.

Clase earned a save against the Mets on Monday, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Clase inherited a two-run lead when he entered in the ninth frame and made quick work of New York, needing just 12 pitches to set down the side in order. The right-hander has yielded just one earned run all season, giving him a sparkling 0.37 ERA through 24.1 frames. Clase has posted an outstanding 24:2 K:BB and is tied for first in the majors with 14 saves.

Lively (3-2) earned the win over the Mets on Monday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings.

The only run Lively allowed in the outing came via a Tomas Nido solo homer in the third inning. Lively was otherwise excellent, matching a season high with seven punchouts and falling one out shy of recording a quality start. The right-hander is in the midst of the best season of his career, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB over 38 innings. Prior to this season Lively owned a 5.05 ERA across 208.2 career frames.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-3 win over the Tigers.

It was a close game until the sixth inning, when Perez ignited a six-run rally for the Royals with his solo shot. The catcher has hit safely in six straight games, going 10-for-21 (.476) in that span. the homer was his first since May 3. Perez remains one of the top hitters in baseball this season with a .341/.404/.565 slash line, nine long balls, 38 RBI, 19 runs scored and 11 doubles over 47 contests.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Angels.

Pena is hitting .324 (23-for-71) over 19 games in May. It hasn't been a totally empty average -- he's picked up five extra-base hits, three steals, nine RBI and 14 runs scored. The shortstop is slashing .326/.365/.457 with seven steals, five homers, 20 RBI and 30 runs through 48 contests overall. He's in an everyday role and on pace for a 20-steal season, so there's a fair amount to like about Pena's game in his third major-league season.

Tucker went 1-for-3 with two walks, one RBI and two stolen bases in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Angels.

After a two-homer game versus the Brewers on Sunday, Tucker showcased his speed Monday. The outfielder is in the midst of another excellent stretch with seven homers and four steals over his last 14 contests. For the season, he's up to a .288/.421/.618 slash line with 15 home runs, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored, nine steals and 11 doubles over 47 games. Tucker has had 30 homers and 30 steals in separate seasons, but he's on pace to hit both milestones in the same campaign for the first time in 2024.

Dubon went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and two additional runs scored in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Angels.

Dubon's hits continue to come in bunches. He's logged three or more hits in three of his last 10 games, but he has just one other hit in that span. The homer was his second of the year and briefly put the Astros ahead 6-1 in the fourth inning before the Angels' comeback rally in the fifth. Dubon is slashing .301/.321/.427 with 19 RBI, 13 runs scored, one stolen base and seven doubles across 37 contests this season. His splits are not too far apart this season, but the Astros are soon to be at full health among their hitters, so there's unlikely to be consistent playing time for the right-handed Dubon against same-handed pitching.