MLB Player News

Duran started in left field and went 0-for-2 in Monday's 4-2 win over Oakland.

Duran made his first outfield start of 2024, coming against lefty Alex Wood. He was eventually pinch hit for by Evan Carter when a right-handed reliever entered the game. Duran, who started 32 games in the outfield last season, will be part of the crew that replaces the injured Wyatt Langford (hamstring), who is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. Duran is the lone righty-hitting outfielder in that replacement mix, joining lefties Carter and Travis Jankowski. Of the trio, Carter is expected to get the bulk of the starts. Duran wielded a capable backup bat in 2023, posting 14 home runs and a .767 OPS, but he's off to less enticing start this year (.226/.293/.264).

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Monday's 2-1 win over the Tigers.

Ramirez provided the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, tagging Jack Flaherty for a solo homer. Ramirez has now generated a home run in back-to-back games but is still trying to dig his way out of a slump. In his last 10 appearances, Ramirez is 5-for-35 (.143) with five RBI, five runs scored and no multi-hit games.

Flaherty (0-2) took the loss Monday against Cleveland, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Flaherty struggled with the Guardians' power, yielding three extra-base hits, including a solo homer in the sixth frame to Jose Ramirez. While the veteran righty has been an excellent source of strikeouts with 56 K's through 42 innings, he hasn't been as dominant in the run department but still owns a 3.86 ERA and has walked merely six batters. Flaherty will likely take the mound Sunday against the Astros for his next start.

McKenzie didn't factor into the decision Monday against Detroit, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.

McKenzie settled in nicely after allowing a solo home run to Riley Greene on his first pitch of the day, striking out three straight to close out the first and keeping the Tigers from adding on more runs. He's now allowed two or fewer runs and struck out at least six batters in four consecutive starts, bringing his ERA to 3.97 through 34 innings. However, McKenzie still appears to have the training wheels on after missing most of the 2023 season with elbow and shoulder injuries, as he's been kept under 85 pitches in five of his seven starts this year. McKenzie is tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday.

Clase picked up the save Monday against Detroit, striking out one batter across a perfect ninth frame.

Clase turned in a third consecutive perfect outing, throwing merely nine pitches to earn his 11th save of 2024. The 26-year-old has been incredible thus far, boasting a 19:1 K:BB and a 0.49 ERA through 18.1 innings and is tied for the league lead in saves.

Seager went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run Monday in a 4-2 victory against Oakland.

Texas was down 2-0 heading into the eighth frame before Seager turned the team's fortunes around with a two-out, three-run blast to center field. It was a much-needed big moment for the star shortstop, as he came into the contest batting just .190 in May and .228 overall on the season. After slugging 33 homers and driving in 96 runs last year, Seager has just three homers and 13 RBI through 33 games in 2024. Monday marked the first time he has driven in multiple runs in a contest since Texas' second game of the season.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in Monday's 2-1 win over the Tigers.

Freeman opened May 1-for-12 across four contests, and his last multi-hit effort before Monday was April 19. The 24-year-old is slashing just .204/.301/.347 this season while adding three home runs, four steals, 12 RBI, 17 runs scored and five doubles across 113 plate appearances. With Steven Kwan (hamstring) landing on the injured list Monday, Freeman should have more job security in center field while Estevan Florial, Ramon Laureano and Will Brennan combine to fill the corner outfield spots.

Wood pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two runs and one walk while striking out three batters in a no-decision against Texas on Monday.

Wood tamed the Rangers' bats in his season-high six innings of work, allowing just three baserunners and keeping all of those from reaching second base. The left-hander departed in line for the win with Oakland clinging to a 2-0 lead, but the team's bullpen couldn't hold on late, saddling Wood with a no-decision. Nonetheless, this was another promising outing for the veteran hurler, who has allowed just three runs over 15.2 frames across his past three starts. His season ERA is still a poor 5.30, but that's a dramatic step forward after it sat at 7.89 over his first five starts of the campaign.

Sandlin (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over 1.1 innings to earn the win Monday over the Tigers.

Sandlin is on a six-inning scoreless streak, during which he has permitted three baserunners (two hits, one hit batsman). The right-hander has been a go-to option for manager Stephen Vogt -- Sandlin is already up to 19 appearances this season, tied with teammates Emmanuel Clase and Scott Barlow for the major-league lead. Through 17.2 innings, Sandlin has pitched to a 2.04 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB while adding a save and two holds. He's not a full-time high-leverage reliever, but he's been steady for a strong Guardians bullpen when called upon.

Yates picked up a save against the A's on Monday, walking one batter in a scoreless inning of work.

Yates got the ball with Texas holding a two-run lead in the ninth inning and walked the second batter he faced to bring the tying run to the plate. However, the veteran reliever got Brett Harris to line into a double play to end the contest and secure his sixth save. Yates still hasn't given up a run this season, and he's yielded just three hits over 15 innings. After resurrecting his career in Atlanta's bullpen last year, he's emerged as one of fantasy's most valuable closers early in the 2024 campaign.