MLB Player News

Horwitz went 1-for-2 with a single, two walks and a run scored Sunday against the Orioles.

Horwitz started his fourth straight game at first base, and he's reached base in each of those contests. He's been particularly patient, with his two free passes Sunday bringing his walk rate to 14.3 percent. Despite the value he has brought to Pittsburgh's lineup, he has only two runs and two RBI with only a .174 batting average across 28 plate appearances.

Bender picked up the save in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Yankees despite allowing two runs on a hit and three walks over one inning. He struck out two.

With Pete Fairbanks serving as the opener Sunday, the Marlins turned to Bender in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. After issuing a pair of walks, Bender gave up a two-run double to Jazz Chisholm before ultimately striking out J.C. Escarra to escape with a 7-6 win and his first save this season. After two scoreless appearances to open the year, Bender has given up four runs in just 1.1 innings in his last two outings. The right-hander logged four saves in 2025 while posting a 2.16 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP across 50 innings.

Vodnik secured his first save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Phillies, allowing two hits with three strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Vodnik blew his first save opportunity of the season last Sunday against the Marlins but worked around a pair of singles in the ninth inning to eventually strike out the side. Vodnik has a 4.50 ERA and 4:0 K:BB across four innings early on in the 2026 campaign.

Cruz went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, three RBI and two runs scored Sunday against the Orioles.

Cruz delivered his third three-RBI performance in his last five games. He kicked off the effort with an infield single in the second inning before popping a two-run home run four frames later. More impressive was that this was Cruz's third long ball and sixth hit against a lefty this season, which comes directly after logging only 11 knocks across 125 plate appearances against southpaws in 2025.

Fried (2-0) did not factor into the decision Sunday against Miami, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

After delivering 13.1 scoreless innings in his first two starts this year, Fried was tagged for a run in the first inning Sunday. However, the left-hander would settle in and hold the Marlins to two runs over his final 5.2 frames, logging his third straight quality start. Fried now sports a 1.35 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB through 20 innings this season. He's currently in line to face the Rays on the road his next time out.

Rumfield went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.

After Mickey Moniak took Taijuan Walker deep for a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning, Hunter Goodman singled before Rumfield swatted a two-run shot to give Colorado an early 3-0 lead. Rumfield has fared well at the plate in his first nine career big-league games to begin the 2026 season, slashing .345/.406/.586 with two home runs, five RBI, four runs scored and a 3:7 BB:K across 32 plate appearances.

Moniak went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.

Both home runs came off Taijuan Walker, who allowed three round-trippers in the loss. Moniak was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday after missing Colorado's first six games of the season. He's now got his first two homers of the 2026 campaign and went 3-for-9 with three runs scored in the three-game set against the Phillies. Moniak is unlikely to play against many left-handed starters, but he had an .857 OPS against right-handed pitching last season.

Bolton is slated to start Monday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bolton will be tasked with making a spot start Monday after Hunter Brown (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, leaving a significant void in the rotation. The start will be the first of Bolton's major-league career, and it'll be his first appearance since he tossed three innings while allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five in his season debut last Tuesday against Boston. The three innings marked the longest outing of his major-league career, so he likely won't be asked to work deep into his start against the Rockies.

Garcia went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 8-6 loss to the Dodgers.

Garcia put the Nationals ahead early, launching a two-out homer off Roki Sasaki in the third inning, giving Washington a 2-1 lead. The home run was Garcia's first of the season, though he's been swinging the bat well, going 11-for-34 with five extra-base hits and six RBI in his first nine games this season.

Sugano (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Phillies, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across six innings.

Making his first start at hitter-friendly Coors Field, Sugano couldn't have asked for better results against Philly's talent-laden offense. After a 2025 season in which he allowed an MLB-high 33 home runs with the Orioles, Sugano had few suitors in free agency and inked a one-year, $5.1 million deal with Colorado. Through two starts with his new club, Sugano owns a 1.69 ERA and 9:3 K:BB across 10.2 innings. He's slated to take the mound again Friday in San Diego.