MLB Player News

Cano gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Craig Kimbrel worked the seventh inning and faced the bottom of the Arizona order, a strong sign that at least for the moment, manager Brandon Hyde is focused on building the veteran closer's confidence back up rather than throwing him into the fire in the ninth. Due to Kimbrel's recent struggles, Cano has picked up both his 2024 saves in his last three appearances, but Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe have also collected saves in the last couple weeks, although the former's came in the 12th inning. Even if the O's turn to a committee to protect leads at the end of games, Cano figures to see the majority of save chances until Kimbrel proves he's ready to resume his usual role.

Irvin (4-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 4-2 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out six.

The southpaw was sharp and had given up only a solo shot to Ketel Marte heading into the sixth inning, but Irvin got the hook after 95 pitches (62 strikes) with runners on first and second and two outs. Albert Suarez then promptly gave up a single to let one of the inherited runners score, but the O's bullpen took care of business the rest of the way. Irvin generated 30 called or swinging strikes as he won his fourth straight start, and after a bumpy beginning to the season he's posted a 1.19 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB in 30.1 innings over his last five outings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Blue Jays.

DeJong went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored Friday against the Guardians.

DeJong smacked his sixth home run of the season, three of which have come in his last four games. He's performed well in addition to the long balls of late, as he has at least one hit in eight of his last 10 starts, and he's also chipped in six RBI and nine runs scored in that span. DeJong has reclaimed his spot as the White Sox's primary shortstop, and he should continue to get playing time so long as he's hitting well.

Lee went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored Friday against the Guardians.

Lee took Carlos Carrasco deep in the seventh inning to tally his fourth home run of the season, three of which have come in his last 11 games. He's gone 11-for-33 in that span, also chipping in five RBI and four runs scored. Lee remains in a near even split for playing time with Martin Maldonado behind the plate.

Vaughn went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Guardians.

Vaughn finally popped his first home run of the season when he took Pedro Avila deep in the eighth inning. He entered the game with only eight extra-base hits across 146 plate appearances, all of which were doubles. Overall, Vaughn is slashing just .196/.253/.275 across 150 plate appearances.

Lowe (oblique) was pulled from Friday's rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham for precautionary reasons, MLB.com reports.

Lowe has been on a rehab assignment since Tuesday and gone 2-for-5 with a home run across three games. It's unclear why he was pulled or if this will push back his return timeline.

Palacios went 1-for-3 with a stolen base Friday against the Yankees.

Palacios lost playing time in the outfield upon Josh Lowe's return, but he has started four of the Rays' last six games at second base. That's primarily displaced Amed Rosario, though both Palacios and Rosario are likely to get further squeezed for playing time when Jonathan Aranda (finger) and Brandon Lowe (oblique) -- both currently on rehab assignments -- are activated from the injured list.

Abreu threw a scoreless eighth inning while allowing one hit and striking out three to record a hold Friday against the Tigers.

Ryan Pressly (back) hasn't pitched since May 3, leaving Abreu as Houston's primary setup man. He blew the lead in his first opportunity in the role Sunday, but he performed well in Friday's appearance to tally his sixth hold of the season. Since allowing six earned runs across his first 5.2 innings of the campaign, Abreu has allowed only five earned runs across his last 15.2 frames.

Melendez went 3-for-4 with a triple in Friday's 2-1 win over the Angels.

Melendez hasn't been able to string good performances together, but he's 7-for-24 (.292) over eight games in May. The outfielder was able to get aboard in the ninth inning before Garrett Hampson entered as a pinch runner and scored on Adam Frazier's home run. Melendez is up to a .202/.260/.395 slash line with four homers, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, six doubles, two triples and two stolen bases through 123 plate appearances. He continues to be a drag in batting average, but he's got intriguing power upside in formats where he's still catcher-eligible after playing 10 games behind the plate in 2023.

Frazier went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 2-1 win over the Angels.

Frazier put the Royals ahead with his ninth-inning blast. The second baseman has gone 3-for-7 over his last two games after enduring an 0-for-15 skid over his previous six contests. Frazier's playing time has become irregular since he lost the starting job at the keystone to Michael Massey, but he's seen some time in the corner outfield spots and at designated hitter. Frazier has a .188/.309/.250 slash line with one homer, eight RBI, eight runs scored, a stolen base and two doubles through 94 plate appearances this season, so his lack of an everyday role shouldn't come as a surprise.