MLB Player News

Butler went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and two RBI in Friday's win over the Nationals.

Butler opened the game's scoring with his first homer of the season in the third inning, a 445-foot solo blast off Jake Irvin. The Oakland outfielder also singled home the game-winning run in the 10th inning. Butler has struggled to start the season, slashing .179/.304/.308 over his first 46 plate appearances, so perhaps Friday's stellar game could be the jump start he needs.

Blackburn did not factor into the decision Friday against the Nationals, pitching 6.1 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Blackburn has now has thrown 19.1 consecutive innings without allowing a run over his first three starts. The 30-year-old right-hander's 0.00 ERA has come along with a 0.72 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB. Blackburn's next start is scheduled to come against the Cardinals at home.

France (0-2) allowed eight runs on eight hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Texas.

France gave up one run through two innings before he was lit up for six runs in the third. Most of the damage that frame came via Jonah Heim's three-run blast. In each of his first two starts of 2024, France had yielded exactly three runs over 5.2 innings. Now, he owns a brutal 8.22 ERA with a 12:7 K:BB across 15.1 innings. France is currently in line for a tough home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Dunning (2-1) yielded three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over Houston.

Dunning served up a homer to Kyle Tucker in the first inning and Houston scratched two more runs across in the fourth. Dunning wasn't very efficient Friday, throwing just 46 of 80 pitches for strikes with only five whiffs. It was his lowest pitch total of the year but Texas was up 12-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The 29-year-old righty has allowed exactly three runs in each of his first three starts this season. Dunning is lined up to take the mound in Detroit next week.

Heim went 1-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Friday's win over the Astros.

Heim belted a three-run shot during the Rangers' six-run third inning. It was his second long ball of the year, both of which have come in the last four games. Heim entered Friday's contest with just four RBI over his previous seven appearances.

Cowser went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a walk in Friday's 11-1 loss to the Brewers.

Cowser was responsible for two of the Orioles' five hits off Freddy Peralta -- he poked an opposite-field double in the first inning before leading off the fourth with a home run, his third long ball in his last two games. The 24-year-old Cowser has gotten off to a tremendous start this year, going 13-for-27 (.481) with a 1.537 OPS, 12 RBI and a stolen base through his first 27 at-bats. While he opened the year as Baltimore's fourth outfielder, Cowser has certainly earned a regular starting role moving forward.

Garcia went 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored, two steals and two walks in Friday's win over Houston.

Garcia has already belted four home runs this season but chose to flash his speed and on-base skills instead Friday. The 31-year-old slugger has just four multi-hit games so far this season despite an impressive .315/.377/.593 slash line. Garcia has two extra-base hits -- both doubles -- over his last seven appearances.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Friday that he expects Correa (side) to land on the injured list, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Correa had to exit Friday's loss to the Tigers early after suffering a right oblique strain during his at-bat in the third inning. The Twins will likely hold off making any decisions until the infielder's MRI results come back, but Baldelli's words suggest Correa's odds of avoiding the IL are slim. Willi Castro entered Friday's game as his replacement at shortstop and will likely remain there while Correa is out, opening up third base for Kyle Farmer or Jose Miranda.

Tucker went 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and a walk in Friday's loss to Texas.

Tucker launched a solo shot in the first inning and later belted a two-run homer in the seventh. The star outfielder was stuck in a nine-game homeless drought since another multi-homer game April 1 against Toronto. Tucker is slashing .258/.333/.484 with six extra-base hits and 10 RBI through 69 plate appearances.

Flexen (0-3) yielded six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings Friday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Reds.

Flexen gave up just one run through the first two frames before the Reds tagged him with five in the third inning. His day was ended after serving up back-to-back home runs to Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson. Flexen's ERA jumped to 8.78 with a lackluster 7:6 K:BB through three starts. He's projected to face the Royals at home next week.