MLB Player News

Nido went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Cardinals.

The 30-year-old backstop took Miles Mikolas deep in the fifth inning to get the Mets on the board and give Nido his first homer in the majors since Sept. 2022. He had a hot start to the season at Triple-A and hasn't slowed down in the majors yet, going 3-for-9 while starting three of the last five games. With Omar Narvaez struggling both at the plate and in controlling the running game, the door is open for Nido to take on a significant role while Francisco Alvarez (thumb) is on the shelf.

Perkins went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run during the Brewers' 7-6 win over the Yankees on Friday.

Perkins' two-run shot in the third inning gave Milwaukee a 4-2 lead over the Yankees, helping the Brewers to an extra-inning victory. The 27-year-old has been a pleasant surprise for the Crew early in the year, slashing .313/.421/.500 through 76 plate appearances. His role as a near-everyday outfielder will come to an end once Christian Yelich (back) returns from the injured list, but Perkins' recent production could allow him to enter the lineup somewhat regularly even after Yelich is healthy.

Rea gave up five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters across six innings during Milwaukee's win over the Yankees on Friday. He did not factor into the decision.

All five of the Yankees' runs against Rea came via the long ball, as Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo both hit solo shots in the first two innings, and Trent Grisham blasted a three-run homer in the fourth. Rea still boasts a 3.25 ERA through 27.2 innings despite his poor showing Friday, though his fantasy value could take a significant hit if he's unable to bounce back in his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Wednesday against the Rays.

Butto (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Mets fell, 4-2, to the Cardinals, giving up four runs on four hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

Homers by Alec Burleson in the second inning and Willson Contreras in the third accounted for all the damage off Butto, and were the first long balls he's served up this season. The right-hander tossed 94 pitches (56 strikes) before exiting, and while his 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 22 innings look sharp, he's walking a tightrope with his control and command -- Butto has issued at least three walks in three of his four starts, and he's hit a batter with a pitch in three straight. The 26-year-old will look for his first win of 2024 when he takes the mound next week at home against the Cubs.

De La Cruz went 0-for-2 with two walks, stole two bases and scored a run in Cincinnati's loss to Texas on Friday.

Despite not being able to tally a base hit during Friday's game, De La Cruz was able to make his presence felt by drawing a walk in the first inning and eventually stealing home to score Cincinnati's first and only run of the game. He walked again and stole second base in the fifth inning, giving him an MLB-best 17 thefts on the season. Along with his exceptional baserunning, the 22-year-old infielder has been outstanding at the plate, slashing .299/.419/.621 with seven homers and 18 RBI through his first 105 plate appearances.

Ashcraft allowed one earned run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters across 6.1 innings during Friday's loss against Texas. He didn't factor into the decision.

Ashcraft needed to bounce back nicely Friday after giving up five runs to the Angels in five innings during his last start. He managed to do just that, as his lone blemish came in the second inning via an Evan Carter solo home run. A lack of production from the Reds' offense forced Ashcraft to settle for a no-decision, and he will carry a 4.40 ERA and 1.29 WHIP into his next start -- currently projected to come Wednesday in San Diego.

Burleson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

His second-inning shot off Jose Butto gave Miles Mikolas and the Cardinals' bullpen all the offense they would need. It was Burleson's first long ball of the year, and his first extra-base hit since April 8. Jordan Walker's demotion cements Burleson into a strong-side platoon role, but his .259/.310/.352 slash line through 58 plate appearances with three runs and five RBI doesn't offer a lot of fantasy appeal.

Fraley (illness) was available off the bench Friday but did not enter a 2-1 loss to Texas, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Fraley returned to the team but was not in the starting lineup against a right-hander, against whom the lefty-hitter typically starts. "He's back," manager David Bell said. "I wanted him to go through a full day of work today and not start him." Bell added that Fraley will be available to start Saturday, when the Reds face right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

Helsley struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Mets.

The right-hander needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to convert his eighth straight chance after blowing a save March 30. Helsley hasn't allowed an earned run in seven straight appearances, and he sports a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 14 innings on the season. The 29-year-old's career high is 19 saves, but he's tracking to blow past that mark by the All-Star break.

McGough allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Mariners.

McGough entered the game on short notice in the sixth inning, inheriting one runner after starter Zac Gallen was removed with a hamstring injury. The reliever allowed a single, walk then a grand slam to Mitch Haniger, the second consecutive appearance in which McGough has ceded a home run. It was the fourth time in the last six outings he's allowed earned runs, and his ERA spiked to 7.30 following Friday's effort.