MLB Player News

Soroka (3-0) picked up the win Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 5-4 victory over the Phillies. He struck out 10.

Things looked bleak for the right-hander when he got tagged for four runs in the first inning, with most of the damage coming on a three-run blast by Brandon Marsh, but Soroka buckled down and gave his offense a chance to rally, finally getting lifted after 93 pitches (61 strikes). In the process, he became just the second pitcher in Arizona history to strike out double-digit batters in two of his first three starts for the team -- with Hall of Famer Randy Johnson having been the first to do it, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Soroka will take a 2.87 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB through 15.2 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Blue Jays.

Langford will undergo imaging on his right quadriceps Saturday morning, Jacob Gurvis of MLB.com reports. "I think it's pretty minor," Langford said after leaving Friday's game. "And then hopefully based on what we see on the imaging, be able to avoid the IL."

Langford finally connected for his first home run of the season Friday, but he injured himself on the swing. "I think it was on the swing when I hit the home run, I guess I kind of reached down to get it," Langford said. "And when I started jogging, I just kind of felt tight." While the outfielder seems optimistic about his chances of avoiding the IL, Saturday's imaging should determine whether or not that's realistic. Ezequiel Duran replaced Langford in Friday's game and Sam Haggerty later took over in left field, moving Duran to third base.

Baez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-0 win over the Marlins.

Getting the start in center field and batting ninth, the veteran utility player took Chris Paddack deep in the fifth inning for his first long ball of the season. Baez will still get reps at shortstop, but he'll be part of the solution in the outfield while Parker Meadows (concussion/arm) is sidelined, a role Baez thrived in last season. He's had a quick start to 2026 at the plate as well, slashing .324/.351/.500 through 10 games with three doubles, a steal, four runs and four RBI.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 4-1 win over Philadelphia.

Vargas extended a season-opening hit streak to eight games with a run-scoring single in the middle of Arizona's five-run fifth inning. He started at first base again, his third start there in the last four games since Carlos Santana (groin) joined Pavin Smith (elbow) on the 10-day injured list. Vargas has been a serviceable utility player throughout his career, but the 34-year-old's production early in 2026 (.429 AVG, 1.146 OPS) is off the charts.

Jansen struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Marlins.

The veteran closer continued a solid start to his Detroit tenure. Friday's appearance marked the first time this season that Jansen actually relied on his defense for outs, and through 2.2 innings he's posted a 3.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 6:1 K:BB while converting two of three save chances.

Montero (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 2-0 victory over the Marlins, allowing two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Taking his second turn in the rotation in place of Justin Verlander (hip), Montero fired 55 of 80 pitches for strikes as he delivered his first quality start since July 7 of last season. The 25-year-old righty has looked very good since being called up, posting a 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 10.1 innings, a performance that takes the pressure off Detroit to get Verlander back on the mound quickly. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer has a bullpen session scheduled for Saturday, and how he emerges from that will likely determine whether Montero will get the ball next week during a home series against the Royals.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Friday that Bergert will receive a second opinion on the right elbow injury he sustained during his most recent start with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals are currently terming Bergert's injury as right elbow discomfort, but the fact that he's receiving a second opinion on the matter suggests that surgery could be on the table for the 26-year-old righty. Omaha placed Bergert on its 7-day injured list Friday.

Paddack (0-2) took the loss Friday as the Marlins fell 2-0 to the Tigers, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

It was the best outing so far this season for Paddack, who tossed 65 of 96 pitches for strikes but got no run support. The veteran right-hander is still climbing out of the hole he dug when he served up eight runs in his Miami debut, and through three starts and 14.2 innings he carries a 6.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB. Paddack will look for his first win of 2026 in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Atlanta.

McCann went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.

McCann's two-run double completed the Diamondbacks' comeback from a 4-0 deficit. The catcher came off the bench after Gabriel Moreno (back) was removed and delivered the decisive hit in Arizona's five-run fifth inning. It was just the second hit and first RBI of the season for McCann, who is 2-for-16 (.125) through seven games played. McCann will serve as the primary backstop until Moreno, who is considered day-to-day, is ready to play.

Carter went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 8-7 loss to the Dodgers.

Carter was part of a ninth-inning comeback for the Rangers, lifting his first homer of the season off Edwin Diaz. The outfielder has four extra-base hits this season, and he's also up to two steals after swiping a bag earlier in the game. Carter could be more consistent at the plate -- he's batting .237 with a .736 OPS, three RBI and six runs scored over 13 contests, but he is seeing steady playing time in center field and should stick there regularly against right-handed pitchers.