MLB Player News

Waguespack came away with a no-decision in Friday's 2-1 win over the Giants, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Making his first start of the season, Waguespack wasn't stretched out enough to qualify for the win -- he got lifted after 71 pitches (45 strikes) -- but he certainly pitched well enough to earn one. The 30-year-old right-hander has had a bumpy beginning to 2024, posting a 5.40 ERA and 11:10 K:BB through 10 innings, but this performance may keep him in the mix for further spot starts or bulk relief assignments.

Buxton isn't in the Twins' lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Detroit, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Buxton struck out in all three of his at-bats during Friday's loss and will take a seat to begin Saturday's action. Austin Martin will step in to cover center field and bat ninth in Game 1, but Buxton will likely return to the lineup for the second game.

Jeffers isn't in the Twins' lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jeffers will get a breather to begin Saturday's activities after going 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored during Friday's loss. Christian Vazquez will fill in behind the plate and bat eighth in Game 1, likely setting up Jeffers to start in the nightcap.

Lopez (1-2) was hit with the loss in Friday's game versus the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters across four innings.

Lopez got behind early after giving up a solo shot to Mark Canha in the first inning, but most of the damage done against the right-hander came in the fifth when he allowed four consecutive hitters to reach base to begin the inning. He left with the Twins down 4-0 and two runners on base before recording an out in the frame, and reliever Kody Funderburk allowed an additional run to score before closing out the inning. Lopez now holds a 4.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through his first three starts and will look to improve upon those numbers his next time out, which projects to come in Baltimore on Wednesday.

Canha went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk during Friday's 8-2 victory over the Twins.

The 35-year-old outfielder put the Tigers in front early with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. He later walked and came around to score on a Matt Vierling single during the fifth frame before driving in Jake Rogers on an RBI single of his own in the sixth. Canha is now slashing .243/.404/.541 with three homers and six RBI across his first 47 plate appearances with the Tigers.

Skubal (2-0) earned the win Friday against Minnesota, striking out five batters over five scoreless frames while giving up two hits and two walks.

After throwing two perfect innings to begin the game, Skubal ran into a bit of trouble by allowing two runners to reach base during the third and fourth innings, but both times the left-hander was able to secure the final out and prevent any runs from coming across the plate. He now owns an impressive 2.08 ERA and 0.75 WHIP through 17.1 frames across his first three outings with a 20:4 K:BB. Skubal is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Rangers, who currently own an AL-best .769 team OPS.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said after Friday's game that Leclerc will be working low-leverage situations temporarily, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Leclerc took his first blown save and second loss of the season Tuesday and said afterward that he's still working to refine his mechanics. The Rangers will have him iron out his issues in lower-leverage spots before revisiting a return to the ninth inning -- the club was said to be pleased with Leclerc's scoreless sixth inning during Friday's win in Houston. Veteran David Robertson has a 1.08 ERA in eight appearances so far this season and is an obvious candidate to step into the closer role, though Kirby Yates worked the ninth Friday in a non-save situation.

Stanek picked up the save Friday against the Cubs. He pitched one inning, allowing one run on one hit with no walks and no strikeouts.

Stanek collected the save after Mariners manager Scott Servais elected to use Andres Munoz in the eighth inning. However, Munoz was tasked with retiring the heart of the Cubs lineup (Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel), leaving the bottom of the order for Stanek in the ninth. Stanek will likely see additional save chances this season, as it has become clear Munoz is Servais' reliever of choice for high-leverage situations instead of filling a traditional closer role.

Miller (2-1) earned the win Friday, allowing one unearned run on three hits and three walks over 6.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out four.

Miller continued his stellar start to the season. The unearned run he allowed only scored after he exited the game after 100 pitches. Miller has a 1.96 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over his first 18.1 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start against the Reds at home.

Jimenez blew the save Friday against the Nationals. He allowed one run on two hits and no walks with two strikeouts in one inning.

After Mason Miller collected saves in two of the three previous games, Oakland manager Mark Kotsay called upon Jimenez for the save opportunity Friday night. It didn't take long for Kotsay to regret that decision as the 30-year-old reliever allowed a solo home run to his first batter faced, Jesse Winker. Jimenez's performance in Friday's save situation only further solidifies Mason Miller's grip on the Athletics' closer role.