MLB Player News

Polanco went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

Polanco's two-run blast in the sixth were the only runs and the only extra-base hit the Mariners were able to muster up on the afternoon. Polanco now has two long balls on the year which also happen to be his only extra-base hits on the season so far. He's gotten off to a sluggish start with his new ballclub, slashing .196/.318/.304 with five RBI, three runs scored and a 9:22 BB:K in 66 plate appearances.

Castillo (0-4) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings. He struck out nine.

Castillo had his best outing of the early season but failed to get much run support to put him in line for a win. The Cubs scored on in the opening frame before Michael Busch connected on a no-doubter to right field in the fourth to give them a 3-0 cushion. Still, it was the first time Castillo managed to reach six innings this year and issue zero free passes while striking out a season-high nine batters, as he seems to be trending in the right direction. He'll be in search of his first win his next time out, which currently projects to be on the road against the Rockies.

Pasquantino went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Mets.

Pasquantino was the only Royal to get on base multiple times in the low-scoring loss. He got Kansas City on the board with a ninth-inning homer, his second long ball in four games. After an ice-cold start to the season, he's gone 8-for-15 with nine RBI over his last four contests. Pasquantino remains the Royals' top option at first base, though he could also lose some at-bats versus left-handed pitchers if Nick Loftin sees more time at first once Michael Massey (back) joins the competition for playing time at second base.

Stratton (1-1) allowed two runs on a hit and four walks without striking out a batter over one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Mets.

Stratton lost his control Sunday, throwing just 11 of 28 pitches for strikes in the poor appearance. He's kept runs off the board in four of his six outings while also earning a save, but he has an ugly 5:7 K:BB that belies trouble ahead. The right-hander is in the high-leverage mix as one of three Royals to log a save this season, but it's fair to say he shouldn't be manager Matt Quatraro's first option in the ninth inning most of the time.

Florial hit a solo home run as a pinch hitter in Sunday's 8-7 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Florial enjoyed a vengeful weekend, hitting his first two homers of the season against his former team over the last two days. The outfielder is still batting .190 through 25 plate appearances, to go with a 4:10 BB:K, but it looks like he's starting to build some momentum. Florial remains in a crowded competition for playing time between center field, right field and designated hitter, and he should have chances to draw into the lineup at least versus right-handed pitchers.

Arias went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two total runs scored in Sunday's 8-7 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Arias' playing time has been limited this season as he serves in a utility role off the bench. He got a start at shortstop Sunday and delivered with his first homer and second extra-base hit of the season. The 24-year-old also made defensive shifts to first base and right field during the contest. He's hitting just .227 with four RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base over 23 plate appearances. With Brayan Rocchio batting .217 so far, there could be a chance for Arias to avenge his position battle loss from spring training as the regular season progresses.

Beede (1-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk without striking out a batter over one inning, earning the extra-inning win Saturday over the Yankees.

Beede gave up a two-run single to Anthony Rizzo in the top of the 10th inning, but the Guardians were able to rally with two hits, two fielder's choices and a sacrifice fly to pull off the comeback. Prior to this weekend's series, Beede had started the year with six scoreless innings over five outings. He allowed four runs (three earned) over his last two innings against a dangerous Yankees offense. The Guardians' bullpen has been a strength so far this season, and as long as Beede pitches well, he'll likely continue to contribute to that success as a middle reliever.

Henderson went 2-for-3 with a stolen base, one RBI and one run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Henderson hit a game-tying RBI single in the seventh inning. The shortstop has turned things around by hitting safely in five of the last six games while adding four RBI in that span. He's batting .233 on the year with a 5:16 K:BB through 67 plate appearances, but he's also provided well-rounded production in the counting stats with three home runs, four steals, 10 RBI and 10 runs scored. Henderson has yet to hit anywhere other than leadoff in 2024.

Mullins went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Mullins has hit safely in six straight games, including Saturday's effort off the bench. The center fielder remains in a starting role, but manager Brandon Hyde will have to get creative about how he balances playing time for four outfielders with Colton Cowser's torrid start to the season. To his credit, Mullins has defended his place in the lineup well, batting .261 with an .827 OPS, three homers, two stolen bases, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored over 15 contests.

Cowser went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Cowser has gone 10-for-23 (.435) with four homers and 12 RBI over the last six games, which corresponds with him joining the lineup on a full-time basis. He initially broke in by unseating Austin Hays from the starting job in left field, but Cowser also has one start each in center and right during his recent hot stretch. He's batting .441 with a 1.445 OPS through 38 plate appearances, and while those numbers are sure to drop, he's proving exactly why he won a crowded battle for one of the Orioles' last roster spots out of spring training.