MLB Player News

Ruiz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Padres.

The backstop took Lucas Giolito deep in the second inning as the Nationals grabbed an early lead the bullpen let slip away. Over 15 games in May, Ruiz is slashing .364/.368/.727 with four of his five homers on the season along with eight doubles, 10 runs and 16 RBI.

Warren (1-1) picked up the win Friday against the Marlins, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning.

The 30-year-old right-hander needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to strand the phantom runner before becoming the pitcher of record when MJ Melendez walked it off in the bottom of the 10th. Warren has been used in a low-leverage role this season -- he has zero saves or holds in 13 appearances -- but he's been effective, producing a 1.47 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB in 18.1 innings.

Fairbanks (2-3) took the loss Friday against the Mets, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit while recording one out in the 10th inning.

Brought on to keep the game tied at 7-7, Fairbanks instead served up a walk-off homer to MJ Melendez. The right-hander has allowed two homers in 5.1 innings over six appearances since returning in mid-May from nerve irritation in his hand, suggesting his command may not be as sharp as it was prior to the issue cropping up. Fairbanks has converted six of eight saves chances for the Marlins this season, but his 7.53 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB through 14.1 innings are far from his career ratios.

Fuentes (4-0) picked up the win Friday over the Reds, giving up one hit and striking out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

The 20-year-old right-hander took the mound in the fifth inning with Atlanta ahead 4-2 after Grant Holmes got the hook, and while Fuentes did allow an inherited runner to score, he did enough to be credited with the win. He's been tagged for an earned run in only one of his 11 appearances in May, posting a 0.71 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in 12.2 innings on the month. His long-term future still lies in the rotation, but Fuentes is giving Atlanta valuable long-relief innings this season.

Smith went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in Friday's win over the Reds.

All three knocks were singles, but it was still the third time in his last seven games that Smith has recorded multiple hits and multiple runs scored. The 30-year-old is putting together his best campaign since 2020, slashing .336/.362/.513 through 128 plate appearances with five homers, 20 runs and 25 RBI while being Atlanta's primary DH against right-handed pitching.

Mead went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

The former Rays top prospect gave the Nationals an early 2-1 lead when he launched a mediocre Lucas Giolito fastball 414 feet to center field in the first inning. Mead is up to eight homers on the season, and four of them have come in his last six games as he seizes the starting job at third base. During that heater, the 25-year-old is batting .320 (8-for-25) with six RBI and six runs.

Alvarez didn't factor into the decision Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over three relief innings in a 7-5 loss to the Padres. He struck out one.

The 26-year-old southpaw handled his biggest workload of the season, needing 74 pitches (45 strikes) to record nine outs after Paxton Schultz got the nod as the opener, and the results weren't impressive. Alvarez earned a look as a bulk reliever with a solid start to the season as he bounced between the majors and Triple-A, but through five appearances and 15.2 innings for Washington he now carries a 4.02 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB. Jake Irvin (shoulder) will miss at least one more start, likely leaving Alvarez to work behind an opener again during a home series next week versus the Marlins.

Cruz went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and two RBI on Friday against the Twins.

Cruz drove in a run in the first inning and then blasted a solo home run in the third frame. He has 12 homers on the season, and two in his last six starts. Cruz has hit .333 with four RBI and three runs scored in that span, continuing his breakout campaign.

Merrill went 1-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 7-5 win over the Nationals.

The center fielder took Mitchell Parker deep in the seventh inning for what proved to be the game-winning hit -- Merrill's first long ball since May 4 and his first of the season against a left-handed pitcher. During his 19-game homer drought, he slashed a paltry .162/.250/.235 with five doubles, three RBI and four runs, but he did chip in four steals. Friday's clutch blast could be a sign he's beginning to find his rhythm at the plate.

Feltner (elbow) is expected to start Saturday's game against the Giants, MLB.com reports.

Feltner has been sidelined since April 24 but is ready to return after making two rehab appearances. He worked five innings in his last outing with Triple-A Albuquerque, so he should be able to handle a relatively normal workload. The Rockies will still need to activate Feltner before Saturday's contest to make the move official.