MLB Player News

Watson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the White Sox.

One day after collecting his first major-league hit, Watson reached another milestone by belting his first career MLB home run Tuesday. The solo shot came off Sean Burke in the fifth inning and accounted for Cleveland's only run of the night. It was an encouraging performance for the 23-year-old, who has had a slow start to his big-league career. Through his first six games in the majors, Watson is batting 3-for-17 (.176) with nine strikeouts.

Baz (4-8) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Angels.

Baz gave up a two-run home run to Nolan Schanuel in the first inning, and the Orioles never got enough going on offense to bail him out. The five earned runs allowed matched Baz's season high. He's given up 16 runs (11 earned) across 22.2 innings over his last four starts, going 1-3 in that span. For the season, he has a 4.31 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 81:35 K:BB across 94 innings through 16 starts. Baz is projected to make his next start at home versus the White Sox.

Eaton went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs, two RBI, a walk and a stolen base against Colorado in a 5-2 win Tuesday.

Eaton picked up a start in left field with Jarren Duran getting a turn at DH. Manager Chad Tracy decided to put Eaton in the leadoff spot for the first time, and that worked out very well, as the 30-year-old reached base four times. Eaton came into Tuesday having gotten on base just three times over 10 plate appearances, so there probably weren't many who foresaw this big performance coming. Eaton has started three of Boston's past four games, and his effort Tuesday could prompt Tracy to continue including him in the lineup.

Newcomb earned the save Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing one walk while striking out two over 2.2 scoreless innings.

With the closer committee of Seranthony Dominguez, Grant Taylor and Bryan Hudson all pitching each of the previous two days, Newcomb was called upon after Sean Burke delivered 6.1 innings of one-run ball. The veteran left-hander took over from there and worked around a lone walk to secure his second save of the season. Newcomb has been excellent since the start of May, posting a 1.50 ERA during that stretch. He now owns a 2.44 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 46:12 K:BB across 48 innings this season.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, a walk, a stolen base and two total RBI in a 5-2 victory versus the Rockies on Tuesday.

Abreu kicked off the scoring in the contest with an RBI triple in the first inning. He added a 443-foot solo homer in the fifth and also logged a stolen base following a walk in the third. Abreu went deep only twice over 34 games from May 10 to June 19, but he's now homered twice in his past three contests. That's pushed him to 10 long balls and 38 RBI through 75 games, and his .795 OPS in on pace for a career-best mark over a full season.

Sullivan (0-2) took the loss against Boston on Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Sullivan was able to complete five frames for the first time as a big leaguer, but that's where the positives end. The southpaw put himself in constant danger by handing out five free passes, with two of the batters he walked eventually coming around to score. Sullivan was at least better than in his previous start, when he was rocked by the Cubs for eight runs over four innings, but his performances so far have given fantasy managers no reason to consider adding him to their rosters.

Messick (7-4) took the loss Tuesday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out 10 over 7.2 innings.

Messick gave Cleveland arguably the best start of his career Tuesday, as he threw 63 of his 95 pitches for strikes and generated an impressive 17 whiffs while racking up a career-high 10 strikeouts. The left-hander retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced before Colson Montgomery delivered an RBI single to open the scoring. Messick later surrendered a solo homer to Miguel Vargas in the sixth, which ultimately proved to be the deciding run in a low-scoring contest. The outing continued an excellent stretch for the 25-year-old, who has now allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last nine starts and has recorded 19 strikeouts over his last 13.2 innings. He'll carry a 2.67 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 101:29 K:BB into his next scheduled start at home against Texas.

Gray (9-1) earned the win over Colorado on Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks while striking out 11 batters over seven innings.

Gray was magnificent Tuesday, racking up 16 whiffs and a season-high 11 punchouts. It was particularly promising for his fantasy managers to see his swing-and-miss stuff working, as the veteran right-hander entered the contest with a career-low 7.1 K/9. Gray did give up another long ball -- his fifth across his past four starts -- but it was a solo shot that accounted for the only run Colorado scored while the hurler was in the game. Gray lowered his season ERA to 2.91 with the impressive performance, and he's tied for second in MLB with nine victories.

Manager Mark Kotsay said after Tuesday's game against San Francisco that Gelof didn't suffer a fracture in his hand and won't require stitches, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old suffered a laceration and contusion when Matt Chapman stepped on his hand in the second inning of Tuesday's contest, but it doesn't seem like Gelof suffered any major injuries during the encounter. That said, Max Muncy could still see an uptick in playing time if Gelof needs to miss a game or two.

Burke (5-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out six over 6.1 innings.

Burke kept Cleveland off the board through four innings, aided by stranding two runners in scoring position during the third, before the right-hander served up a solo homer to Kahlil Watson to lead off the fifth. Burke again escaped trouble later in the inning, stranding the bases loaded. The 25-year-old has now earned a win in three of his last four starts while recording 27 strikeouts during that span. Burke will carry a 3.71 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 87:30 K:BB into his next scheduled start on the road against Baltimore.