MLB Player News

Valenzuela went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 13-3 loss to the Orioles.

Valanzuela handed the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead after taking Brandon Young deep to right-center field for a 417-foot, two-run home run. Valanzuela has gone deep in back-to-back games and is up to six homers on the season. He has stepped up as the Blue Jays' primary catcher ahead of Tyler Heineman, but Valenzuela could soon see his workload drop dramatically, as Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is trending toward returning from the 60-day IL early next week, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.

Yesavage (2-3) took the loss against the Orioles on Friday, allowing six runs on fits hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

Yesavage was excellent through the first five innings of Friday's start outside of a solo home run that he yielded to Adley Rutschman in the first. Yesavage was brought back out for the sixth, but he did not come away with the quality start after giving up five runs in the frame, with his night coming to an end after giving up a two-run homer to Coby Mayo. Yesavage has allowed at least five runs in two of his last three starts and sits at a 3.16 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB across 42.2 innings this season. His next start is slated for next weekend at home against the Yankees.

The Yankees will recall Sanchez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees sent J.C. Escarra down to Triple-A shortly after Friday's game, so Sanchez will join the active roster to take over as New York's backup catcher. The 29-year-old owns just a .454 OPS across 133 plate appearances in his big-league career but has slashed .227/.327/.375 with six homers, 11 RBI and 18 runs in 40 games at Triple-A this year.

Mullins went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during the Rays' 6-0 win over the Marlins on Friday.

Mullins extended the Rays' lead to 5-0 in the sixth by taking Tyler Phillips deep to right-center field for a solo home run. Mullins has gone deep in back-to-back games and is up to five homers on the season. It's been a tough 2026 campaign at the plate for the veteran outfielder, but perhaps his recent play is a sign of things to come for the 31-year-old.

The Yankees optioned Escarra to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Friday's loss to the Red Sox.

Escarra has slashed just .177/.235/.258 across 68 plate appearances while operating as the Yankees' backup catcher. No longer satisfied with his performance, the team will send the 31-year-old down to Triple-A to right the ship and promote Ali Sanchez to take Escarra's spot on the bench.

Caminero went 3-for-3 with two walks, two doubles and three runs scored during the Rays' 6-0 win over the Marlins on Friday.

Caminero reached base safely in all five of his plate appearances Friday and came home to score in the first, fifth and seventh innings. His three hits were a season high, and it was his 16th multi-hit game of the year. Caminero is on a seven-game hitting streak, and in that span he has gone 12-for-24 with nine runs, three RBI and six extra-base hits.

Vilade went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored during the Rays' 6-0 win over the Marlins on Friday.

Vilade helped the Rays build an early 3-0 lead with an RBI single in the first inning before driving in another run in the seventh. It was the sixth multi-RBI game of the season for Vilade, three of which have come over his last six outings. He has gone 13-for-44 (.295) with one steal, two home runs and 13 RBI over his last 15 games.

Buxton was removed from Friday's game against the Royals with a right shoulder contusion after colliding with the outfield wall, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton initially remained in the game after running into the wall while making a catch in the third inning, but he was later lifted for a pinch hitter. The Twins haven't yet offered any information on the severity of their star outfielder's injury, but more details should come in the near future.

Rasmussen (5-2) earned the win against the Marlins on Friday, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out nine across seven scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

Rasmussen was looking to bounce back from his last outing against the Angels on Saturday, when he gave up five runs over four innings. He did so in convincing fashion Friday, limiting the Marlins to just one baserunner while logging a season-high nine strikeouts. It was the sixth quality start of the season for Rasmussen, whose 0.92 WHIP over 66 innings is second-best in the American League among qualified starters, behind only Cam Schlittler (0.86). Rasmussen is slated to make his next start next week at home against the Red Sox.

Soler was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers due to hip tightness.

Soler's hip forced him to make an early exit from Wednesday's contest, and although it originally seemed like he was good to go for Friday's game, the Angels will instead keep him on the bench as a precaution. Adam Frazier will replace Soler as the Halos' designated hitter and bat ninth.