MLB Player News

Sano went to have his sore left knee examined Saturday afternoon, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Sano was in the starting lineup Friday after battling soreness in the knee for several days, but his knee "flared up again" after two at-bats, per manager Ron Washington. The Angels have not provided an update as of Saturday evening, and it's especially concerning given that Sano's left knee is what cost him the better part of the last two seasons. Sano got off to a decent start with the Angels and went yard last weekend for his first MLB homer in over two years, but his status is up in the air at the moment.

Yoshida went 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's victory over the Cubs.

He did not start the previous five games, as the Red Sox utilized Rafael Devers and Tyler O'Neill at designated hitter as they returned from injuries. Yoshida did his best to make up for lost time Saturday, doubling in a run while also adding three singles. While he has been used very little this week, the expectation is that Yoshida will remain the team's primary DH moving forward.

O'Neill went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three runs scored in Saturday's win over the Cubs.

O'Neill got the scoring started with a blast over the Green Monster in the bottom of the first inning. It was the first home run this season for the 28-year-old that wasn't a solo shot. O'Neill also added a double, a single and a walk. Only Mike Trout (10) has gone deep more times so far this season.

Rafaela went 4-for-4 with a home run and seven RBI in Saturday's 17-0 victory over the Cubs.

There were big numbers throughout the Red Sox' lineup in this laugher, but Rafaela takes top billing. His home run came in the seventh inning off reliever Colten Brewer, and he also had a pair of doubles, one of which that cleared the bases in the fifth inning. As if that wasn't enough, Rafaela also stole his fourth base of the season and scored three runs. The 23-year-old had just 14 hits all season coming into Saturday's action, along with a 26.8 percent strikeout rate. While Saturday's performance was a peak at Rafaela's upside, he'll likely remain a volatile fantasy play.

Winckowski took a no-decision Saturday versus the Cubs, spinning three shutout inning while yielding only three hits. He struck out one.

Winckowski was making his second start following seven relief appearances, hence the reason he was pulled after just three innings and 52 pitches. He permitted a pair of baserunners in both the first and second frames but had a clean third inning to finish off his night. With Nick Pivetta (elbow) unlikely to be ready next week, Winckowski will probably be needed for at least one more start. However, he's simply still not stretched out enough to offer mixed-league value.

Lorenzen (2-1) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on six hits and a walk over six-plus innings in an 8-4 loss to Cincinnati. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander came out firing, striking out the first two batters he faced, but things began to go sideways for Lorenzen in the second frame. Even so, he'd put together a quality start through six innings, but manager Bruce Bochy let him begin the seventh and Lorenzen hit Tyler Stephenson with a pitch before serving up a homer to Jonathan India. He left the mound after exactly 100 pitches (68 strikes), and Lorenzen will take a 4.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB through 17 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Kansas City.

Henderson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-0 win over the A's.

The 22-year-old shortstop capped the scoring on the afternoon by taking JP Sears deep in the seventh inning. The long ball was Henderson's third in the last four games, continuing a blistering stretch that has seen him rack up eight multi-hit performances in his last 12 contests while batting .408 (20-for-49). The surge has boosted Henderson's slash line on the season to .302/.361/.642 with nine homers, six steals, 22 RBI and 23 runs in 106 plate appearances.

Irvin (2-1) picked up the win Saturday, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 7-0 victory over the A's. He struck out five without walking a batter.

For the second straight start, Irvin led the Orioles to a combined shutout. The southpaw retired the first 10 batters he faced, and Oakland failed to get a baserunner into scoring position until he'd left the mound. Irvin tossed 63 of 89 pitches for strikes as he extended his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings, and his impressive stretch may have come in the nick of time to save his rotation spot -- Kyle Bradish (elbow) is ready to come off the IL, and John Means (forearm) may not be far behind. Bradish lines up to take Irvin's spot next Wednesday at home against the Yankees, but Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reported prior to Saturday's game that Baltimore could shift to a six-man rotation in the short term. Irvin sports a 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 28.1 innings.

Brash has been shut down after having a setback with his right elbow while playing catch Friday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Brash is headed to Dallas to receive an opinion from Dr. Keith Meister on his injured elbow. It sounds like the setback is a significant one, with Mariners general manager Justin Hollander saying the team is "concerned." Brash had been closing in on a rehab assignment, but his status is very much up in the air.

Sears (1-2) took the loss Saturday as the A's were dropped 7-0 by the Orioles, surrendering seven runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out eight.

The lefty looked great the first time through the order, retiring the first nine batters he faced, but Baltimore jumped on Sears for three runs in the fourth inning and back-to-back solo shots by Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle in the fifth, before Gunnar Henderson chased him from the game in the seventh with a two-run blast. Sears did set a new season high in strikeouts and generated 33 called or swinging strikes among his 98 pitches, but he was made to pay when he missed his spots in the strike zone. He'll carry a 4.64 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB through 33 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Marlins.