MLB Player News

Flexen (0-2) took a loss Saturday in Kansas City, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 6.1 innings of work. He struck out four.

It was a scoreless tie heading into the bottom of the seventh inning and Flexen was still out there with his pitch count low. However, just three pitches into the frame Flexen had yielded a leadoff single and a two-run homer to MJ Melendez. He was pulled after a one-out walk and watched that runner eventually score to add another run to his ledger. Flexen wound up throwing just 77 pitches over his 6.1 frames and registered a quality start but nonetheless was saddled with his second loss.

Maeda (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Tigers were downed 4-0 by the A's, giving up three runs on two hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander got tagged for a two-run homer by Brent Rooker in the first inning, and Detroit's offense never responded. Maeda still came close to producing a quality start, but he got the hook after 87 pitches (47 strikes). He sports a 5:5 K:BB through 9.0 innings to go along with a 9.00 ERA, and Maeda lines up to make his next start at home against the Twins next weekend.

Gelof went 0-for-1 with three walks, three runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Tigers.

It was an impressive display of patience from the 24-year-old second baseman, who managed an 8.7 percent walk rate as a rookie in 2023 but routinely posted marks in double digits in the minors. Gelof has struggled so far this season when he's had to swing the bat, however, going 5-for-32 (.156) with 13 strikeouts to balance out his five free passes, while chipping in two doubles, two steals and five runs.

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Tigers.

The 29-year-old slugger took Kenta Maeda deep in the first inning for a two-run shot before driving in an insurance run with a single in the eighth. Rooker was streaky even in his breakout campaign last year, and his 2024 has already been a roller coaster -- after going 0-for-11 with nine strikeouts over his first three games, he's racked up three multi-hit performances in the last four with a double, two homers, five RBI and only five Ks.

Blackburn (1-0) picked up the win Saturday against the Tigers, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The veteran righty didn't allow a runner to get past second base as he fired 59 of 85 pitches for strikes. Blackburn has a pristine 0.00 ERA through 13 innings with a 7:1 K:BB, delivering two straight quality starts to begin his 2024 campaign. While he's been impressive so far, his hot streak may not last too much longer considering he hasn't posted an ERA below 4.28 since his 10-start debut in 2017. Blackburn does line up for a favorable matchup in his next start, however, at home against the Nationals next weekend.

Sborz was removed from Saturday's appearance versus the Astros with an undisclosed injury, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Sborz retired the first two batters of the eighth inning and got two strikes on Jose Abreu before being visited by the trainer and eventually walking off the field. It's not clear exactly what might have happened, but the Rangers should offer clarity soon enough.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Saturday downplayed the possibility of using Rafaela at shortstop following the injury to Trevor Story (shoulder), Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Rafaela is an excellent defensive shortstop, but he's also a gifted defender in center field and Boston intends to keep him there. Cora's stance would also seem to indicate that Rafaela has a good amount of leash in center field even if his bat is slow to come around. The 23-year-old entered play Saturday having gone just 5-for-25 with three RBI and one stolen base.

Boston recalled Hamilton from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Pablo Reyes started at shortstop Saturday and will probably get the first crack at filling in for Trevor Story (shoulder). Hamilton should also be in the mix, though, and is the more interesting of the two players for fantasy purposes after stealing 57 bases at Worcester and another two with the big club in 2023. He was 3-for-18 with two home runs in his first five games with Worcester this season.

Story was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Red Sox on Saturday with a dislocated left shoulder, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Story suffered the injury during Friday's game against the Angels when he landed awkwardly after attempting a diving stop on a grounder. He will undergo a more extensive exam Monday in Boston, during which he'll be checked for potential labrum damage. A determination could be made then if he needs surgery or will attempt the rest and rehab route. Pablo Reyes is starting at shortstop Saturday and David Hamilton -- who replaced Story on the active roster -- could also see some action at short.

The Red Sox are still awaiting the results of the MRI on Story's left shoulder, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story is not in the lineup Saturday after exiting Friday's game with what looked like a potentially serious shoulder injury. Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Story was "pretty sore throughout the night, during the day," but the club is waiting for MRI results before making a roster move. Pablo Reyes is starting at shortstop Saturday and David Hamilton has been added to the taxi squad.