MLB Player News

Machado went 1-for-3 with one walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Machado tied things up at 1-1 in the seventh inning, when he took Bailey Falter deep to left field for a 391-foot solo homer. Machado has recorded at least 28 home runs in each of his last four seasons, but he has only three homers through 131 plate appearances this season. He is slashing .280/.344/.441 with six stolen bases, 20 runs scored and 14 RBI.

Cruz went 1-for-1 with an RBI single and four walks in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Padres.

Cruz supplied the Pirates' lone run of the game on an RBI single to right field in the second inning, and he proceeded to draw a walk in each of his next four plate appearances. Cruz has reached base safely in each of his last 11 games, and over that span he has gone 12-for-41 (.293) with 11 walks, four stolen bases, nine runs scored, three home runs and seven RBI.

Harper went 0-for-4 with a walk in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Harper's recent slump continued Saturday, as he's now without a home run in 13 consecutive games. He has only four extra-base hits during this span and is batting just .176 (9-for-51) with five RBI, four runs scored and two stolen bases since April 19. Harper has reached base safely in 11 of these 13 outings, so fantasy managers should remain patient while the All-Star first baseman looks to get back on track.

Bednar (0-3) took the loss against the Padres on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

It wasn't a save situation for Bednar, who came in for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1. He allowed a double to Fernando Tatis, who later scored on a wild pitch to give the Padres the go-ahead run. Since being recalled by the Pirates on April 19, Bednar has allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out nine over seven innings, and it's unclear whether he'll be the Pirates' go-to closer once Dennis Santana (personal) is activated from the bereavement list.

Falter did not factor into the decision of Saturday's game against the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings.

Falter scatted four baserunners over seven strong innings, with his only blemish coming on a Manny Machado solo homer in the seventh frame. It was Falter's third quality start of the season and the second time he has made it through seven innings. He has a 5.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB across 37.1 innings, and his next start is slated for next weekend at home against Atlanta.

Manager Rob Thompson said Saturday that Walker will move from the rotation to the bullpen, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ranger Suarez (back) returned from the 15-day injured list Saturday and will be reclaiming his spot in the Phillies' rotation from Walker. Thompson did leave the door open for Walker to make spot starts this season as part of a six-man rotation, but the 32-year-old right-hander will shift to the bullpen and likely serve in a bulk-relief role. In six starts this season, Walker has gone 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 28.1 innings.

Blalock did not factor into the decision in Saturday's game against the Giants, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Blalock registered only nine first-pitch strikes and six whiffs on 75 pitches (47 strikes), but he limited the Giants to one run through his first five innings. He was tagged for another run after being lifted in the sixth frame and was in line for the win, but that didn't come to fruition after Matt Chapman knocked a go-ahead grand slam off Jake Bird. Blalock could stick in the Rockies' rotation for as long as Ryan Feltner (back) is on the 15-day injured list, and the former is lined up to face the Padres at home next weekend.

Hicks allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven in five innings against the Rockies on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision.

Hicks limited the Rockies to one walk and one hit over the first five innings but was tagged for three runs in the sixth, and he finished with 11 whiffs and 12 first-pitch strikes while tossing 88 pitches (55 strikes). Hicks' seven punchouts were his most in a start this season, but he has given up at least three earned runs in five of his last six outings and is up to a 6.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 37.1 innings. He's slated to face the Twins on the road next weekend.

Walker earned the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rockies, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

With Camilo Doval being deployed in the seventh inning, Walker was brought in for the ninth to preserve the Giants' three-run lead. Walker forced the first two batters to ground out and came away with the save after retiring Adael Amador on a seven-pitch strikeout. It was Walker's first save since April 19 as he and Camilo Doval have formed a closer committee after Walker initially opened the campaign as the clear No. 1 option.

Matos went 1-for-1 with two walks, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

Matos, who served as the designated hitter Saturday, put the Giants on the board in the third inning when he took Bradley Blalock deep to left-center field for a solo homer. Matos has struggled at the plate this season and has gone 2-for-28 over his last nine games (including Saturday). Even with his slow start to the season, Matos should still see starts in the outfield in a platoon with Mike Yastrzemski.