MLB Player News

Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.

After going 0-for-8 in the first two games of the series, Rodriguez's bat woke up against Chris Sale. The 23-year-old outfielder has only had one sustained hot streak so far in 2024, but he's capable of sparking another one at any time. Through 129 plate appearances, Rodriguez is slashing .270/.310/.328 with one homer, seven steals, 11 RBI and 12 runs.

Hancock (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs (one earned) on five hits and four walks over 3.2 innings as the Mariners fell 5-2 to Atlanta. He struck out four.

The right-hander's own throwing error in the third inning led to the game's first run, while a Mitch Haniger misplay in the fourth set the stage for a four-run outburst by Atlanta. Hancock tossed 47 of 77 pitches for strikes before exiting as he failed to complete four innings for the second time in six starts. The 24-year-old has had his moments in the Seattle rotation, but he could be headed to the bullpen or the minors soon with Bryan Woo (elbow) closing in on his return. Hancock should get at least one more turn while Woo finishes getting stretched out and will take a 4.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 30.1 innings into his next outing, which could come early next week in Minnesota.

Toro went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Pirates.

Getting the start at second base and batting fifth, Toro launched a second-inning Quinn Priester sinker up in the zone off the top of the wall in center field. Toro has hit safely in six straight games, and he's making a case to be an everyday player for Oakland -- through 99 plate appearances, he's slashing .264/.323/.440 with three homers, 11 RBI and 11 runs. He's played at least three games at first base, second base and third base so far in 2024 in addition to spotting in at DH, and while Ryan Noda's demotion to Triple-A after Wednesday's game likely has more to do with J.D. Davis (thigh) being nearly ready to come off the IL, it does give Toro a little less competition for playing time.

Nevin went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Pirates.

The 26-year-old took Quinn Priester deep in the third inning, extending an impressive stretch that has seen Nevin record four straight multi-hit performances as part of a nine-game hitting streak. He's left the yard four times during the heater, accounting for all of his homers on the season, and since joining Oakland at the beginning of April he's slashed .325/.375/.500 in 88 plate appearances with 10 runs and 10 RBI. Nevin posted consistently solid numbers in the minors but never got much of an opportunity in Baltimore, and he stumbled with Detroit in 2023. If this is his last chance to establish himself as a big-league player, he seems to be making the most of it.

Smith started at first base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Giants.

Smith is the latest through the revolving door that is first base on Boston's roster. He was signed earlier in the day and made his debut for the Red Sox. With Triston Casas (ribs) on the 60-day injured list, the Red Sox have added two new first baseman over the last week -- Smith and Garrett Cooper (wrist). Once the righty-hitting Cooper is ready, a job share between him Smith (a lefty) seems likely. Bobby Dalbec is also around.

Stripling (1-5) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out two without walking a batter.

It's been a long drought for Stripling, who prior to Wednesday had collected his last big-league win on the final day of the 2022 season while with the Blue Jays. The quality start was the second of the 2024 campaign for the right-hander, and he's allowed three runs or less in four straight outings. Despite his poor record, Stripling will take a respectable 4.24 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 40.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Rangers.

Wong went 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over San Francisco.

Wong has been a consistent producer at the dish, never going more than one game without a hit. The catcher, who recorded his eighth multi-hit game Wednesday, is slashing .366/.367/.620 through 75 plate appearances. Those numbers are sure to correct -- a .412 BABIP indicates that -- but Wong has improved his contact rate on pitches in the zone, jumping up to 84.2 percent compared to 74.3 percent in 2023.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Royals.

He spoiled Seth Lugo's shutout bid in the seventh inning, but it was the only bright spot on the day for the Toronto offense. Jansen has three homers since making his season debut April 16, all solo shots, but they've all come in his last four starts. The 29-year-old catcher has gone 8-for-30 (.267) in 10 games, but six of those hits have gone for extra bases, including three doubles.

Bassitt (2-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over six innings as the Blue Jays fell 6-1 to the Royals. He struck out four.

The veteran righty took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but a leadoff double by Kyle Isbel kicked off a three-run frame for Kansas City, and with Seth Lugo also pitching extremely well, Bassitt had no margin for error. He tossed 62 of 92 pitches for strikes in his third quality start of the season, but Bassitt will carry a shaky 5.45 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB through 36.1 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

Massey went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Blue Jays.

After bringing home a run in the sixth inning with a groundout, Massey lofted a Nate Pearson curveball off the right-field foul pole in the eighth for a three-run shot. The second baseman has homered in back-to-back games, his first long balls since making his season debut April 19, and he's hit safely in five straight contests.