MLB Player News

Kopech (0-1) allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out three to take the loss Friday against the Royals.

Kopech entered the game in the eighth inning of a tied contest and walked the second batter he faced, which ultimately became the game-deciding run. He's now walked five batters across his first 5.1 innings of work, resulting in a 1.69 WHIP. Kopech's usage was also particualrly notable, as he was deployed in the perceived highest-leverage situation rather than being reserved for a save chance. He's still likely to regularly serve as the closer for the White Sox, though the door could be open for another reliever to pick up a handful of saves.

Toro is not in the Athletics' starting lineup Saturday against the Tigers.

Toro got his first hit of the season Friday with a two-run home run. He'll be in the dugout to start Saturday's contest, with Brent Rooker drawing the start at DH and batting in the cleanup spot against Tigers right-hander Kenta Maeda.

Nevin is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Tigers.

Nevin has started in left field in Oakland's last two games, going 1-for-4 with one walk over that span. He'll retreat to the bench against Tigers right-hander Kenta Maeda on Saturday, with Seth Brown drawing the start at left field.

Vierling is not in Saturday's starting lineup against the Athletics.

Vierling got the start Friday against left-hander JP Sears and finished the game 1-for-3 with a solo home run. Against Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn on Saturday, the Tigers have shifted Mark Canha to right field, while Kerry Carpenter starts at DH.

Rogers is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Athletics.

Carson Kelly will draw the start at catcher and bat ninth Saturday against Oakland right-hander Paul Blackburn. Rogers has struggled at the plate to start the season, posting just one hit and one walk while striking out 10 times over 16 plate appearances.

Ibanez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics.

Ibanez is batting .308 with three RBI over 15 plate appearances to start the season, but he will take a seat against right-hander Paul Blackburn. Expect Ibanez to start primarily against left-handed pitching while moving around the diamond.

Duran went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 8-6 win over the Angels.

Duran rescued the Red Sox, who had earlier blown a four-run lead, with a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning. He continued a hot stretch with a fourth consecutive multi-hit game, during which he's 11-for-17 with a homer, four RBI, four runs scored and four stolen bases.

Smith was removed from a save situation Friday against the White Sox. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.

Called upon to protect a one-run lead, Smith struck out Yoan Moncada but then allowed a double and a walk to the next two batters he faced. That was enough for manager Matt Quatraro, who replaced Smith with James McArthur. The right-handed McArthur came through with a double play to secure the save, and with that, we may have witnessed a changing of the guard in the ninth inning for Kansas City. There have been no formal announcements in that regard, but Smith already had two losses, one blown save and six earned runs allowed in 2.2 innings this season before Friday's messy outing.

McGuire went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 8-6 win over the Angels.

McGuire started for the fourth time in the last five games which is a surprising development. In spring training, Connor Wong was the presumed primary catcher, but he's made just three starts. McGuire is 6-for-19 with two extra-base hits and three RBI over seven appearances.

Foley (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts to earn the win in Friday's 5-4 victory over the A's.

Foley now has two wins across five appearances after recording only three wins in 70 games last season. While he likely won't be able to sustain his current vulturing pace, the righty does seem to be Detroit's top option for saves at the moment, though the likes of Alex Lange, Andrew Chafin and Shelby Miller are also in the mix in a fluid Detroit bullpen. Foley leads the team with two saves so far, while Lange has one and no one else has any.