MLB Player News

Kelly went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run off the bench in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

The veteran catcher initially received the day off with Miguel Amaya starting behind the plate, but Kelly was called on to pinch hit against lefty Brooks Raley in the sixth inning and responded with his second home run of the year, breaking a 1-1 tie. Kelly has an outstanding .970 OPS through 17 games, which would easily be a new career high, and he should remain Chicago's clear top backstop with Amaya around to spell him once or twice per week.

Happ went 1-for-2 with two walks, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

Happ went deep for the second consecutive day, pushing his season home run total up to six. The veteran outfielder is batting only .222, but he's walking at a 13 percent clip and delivering extra-base hits when he does connect, which has helped him post a strong .861 OPS so far. That would be Happ's highest OPS since the shortened 2020 regular-season campaign, when he had an .866 OPS. In a season in which he's played at least 100 games, his highest career OPS is .842.

Perdomo went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-2 win over Toronto.

It was an uneven performance from Perdomo. He extended a hit streak to four games (8-for-16) but was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double, was nearly picked off first base, and had a defensive miscue that led to the Blue Jays tying the game in the sixth inning. Aside from the negative plays, it's encouraging to see Perdomo's bat finding life after a slow start to the season. His batting average climbed to .229, its highest point since the beginning of the month.

Vargas started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Vargas made a third consecutive start at second base, as Ketel Marte served as the designated hitter again while nursing a minor back issue. Vargas has hit safely in all 14 games he's played to start the season, going 20-for-53 (.377) with eight extra-base hits (two home runs), eight RBI and 11 runs. Once Marte is ready to handle defensive duties, Vargas can still find opportunities at first base with both Pavin Smith (elbow) and Carlos Santana (thigh) on the shelf.

Gurriel started in left field and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 6-2 win over Toronto.

Gurriel made his season debut and return from ACL surgery. It was also significant that he played left field, as manager Torey Lovullo earlier suggested that Gurriel would be given a slow buildup as the designated hitter. With Jordan Lawlar (wrist) out until at least early June, however, Arizona's roster needs have changed since then.

Johnston went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, a stolen and a run scored Saturday against the Dodgers.

Johnston entered Saturday's game having collected only two hits across his last 17 at-bats while also striking out at a 30 percent clip. He turned things around against the Dodgers, delivering a two-RBI double in the sixth inning to put Colorado ahead for good. Johnston has started 13 of the team's last 15 games against right-handed pitchers, splitting his time between right field and first base.

Miller picked up the save Saturday against the Angels, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

The hard-throwing right-hander has been nearly untouchable this season, though the Angels did put up a fight Saturday. Los Angeles brought the potential tying run to the plate, but Miller got Adam Frazier to ground out to close it out. Miller's scoreless streak is now up to 31.2 consecutive innings, dating back to the 2025 regular season, and he's also gone 7-for-7 on save chances to go with a 25:2 K:BB over his first 10.1 frames of 2026.

Marquez took a no-decision Saturday against the Angels, allowing no runs on two hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The veteran right-hander put together his longest outing of the year in what was also arguably his finest effort of 2026 so far. He surrendered a season-low two hits while also matching a season high in punchouts. Marquez has worked his way back into fantasy relevance following a couple of tough seasons in Colorado, posting a respectable 3.86 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 18.2 innings for the Padres this year. His next start tentatively projects to come versus Arizona.

Kikuchi took a no-decision Saturday against the Padres, allowing no runs on four hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out eight.

It was easily a season-best performance by the southpaw, who worked his longest outing of the year, turned in his first scoreless start and tied a season high with eight punchouts. Despite Saturday's strong showing, Kikuchi still has a rough 5.63 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB over his first 24 innings. His next start tentatively lines up to come against the Royals, who have a poor .605 OPS versus left-handed pitching thus far in 2026.

Seymour recorded a hold while allowing two hits and no walks in 1.2 scoreless innings of relief Saturday against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

Seymour is still recovering from a disastrous Opening Day outing, when he surrendered five runs and failed to record an out. The left-hander logged hold No. 4 on the campaign Saturday and submitted his fourth scoreless appearance in his last six, but his ERA still stands at 8.68 with a 1.50 WHIP across his first 9.1 innings.