MLB Player News

Valenzuela went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and four RBI in Saturday's 14-1 rout of the Angels.

The rookie catcher helped break open the game with a three-run homer off Mitch Farris in the fifth inning. It was Valenzuela's fourth long ball in 22 games since his promotion, and he's slashing .246/.306/.474 with nine runs and 10 RBI to begin his first stint in the majors.

Barger went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in Saturday's 14-1 win over the Angels.

Making his return from a month-long stint on the IL due to sprains on both ankles, Barger wasn't able to get anything going with his bat, but he did make a stunning defensive play. With the game still scoreless in the second inning, Barger caught what should by all rights have been a sacrifice fly to right field, but instead he unleashed a throw at 101.2 mph that got Jorge Soler at the plate for an inning-ending double play -- the top velocity on any outfield assist in the majors this season, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Barger batted second in the game, and that could become his usual spot in the lineup against right-handers as the Jays try to get him better pitches to hit by parking him in front of Vladimir Guerrero.

Yesavage didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 14-1 rout of the Angels, allowing four hits and two walks over four scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Making his second start since coming off the IL, Yesavage was dominant but had the Halos run up his pitch count with 24 foul balls compared to 25 called or swinging strikes, forcing his exit after 87 pitches (57 total strikes). Over three outings in 2026, the young right-hander sports a 0.68 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over 13.1 innings. Yesavage has completed five frames in just one of those starts. He will look to improve his efficiency in his next appearance, which is set to come on the road next weekend in Detroit.

Stowers went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Nationals.

Stowers finished a triple shy of the cycle, highlighted by a two-run blast that got the Marlins on the board in the fourth inning. It was the first homer of the year for the 28-year-old and his first three-hit effort since April 24. On the season, he's slashing .239/.320/.343 with five extra-base hits, three RBI and 10 runs scored across just 75 plate appearances.

King retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to earn a one-out save in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Nationals.

King entered to protect a one-run lead with a runner on first and two outs in the ninth inning and got CJ Abrams to fly out for his first career save. It was likely a lefty-on-lefty matchup play by manager Clayton McCullough, but the 31-year-old southpaw also owns a stellar 0.54 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings this season. Closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) is hopeful to return soon, but King has at least worked his way into the ninth-inning equation until that happens.

Kochanowicz (2-2) took the loss Saturday, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks over four-plus innings as the Angels were routed 14-1 by the Blue Jays. He failed to strike out a batter.

The right-hander's pitch-to-contact ways kept the Halos in the game for four frames, but the wheels came off for Kochanowicz in the fifth as the first six Toronto batters reached base before he got the hook after 84 pitches (49 strikes). It was his worst outing of the season, and Kochanowicz has now gone five straight starts without getting into the win column while posting a 4.39 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB in 28.2 innings over that stretch. He'll try to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Dodgers.

Carpenter was removed from Saturday's game against the Royals due to a left shoulder injury, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Carpenter slammed his left shoulder against the outfield wall on a misplay while attempting to field the ball, which resulted in an inside-the-park home run for Bobby Witt in the first inning. Carpenter didn't immediately leave the game, but he was eventually pulled before the bottom of the third inning and was replaced by Wenceel Perez. The Tigers should have an update on Carpenter's injury once the veteran outfielder undergoes more tests on his shoulder.

Steer went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros.

Steer kicked off a three-run fifth inning for the Reds when he laced a single, stole second and then came around to score the team's first run. The 28-year-old has now hit safely in 11 of his past 12 games, tallying three extra-base hits, six RBI and four runs scored during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .248/.324/.434 with six homers, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored and two steals across 145 plate appearances.

Johnson threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros. He did not record a strikeout.

With Emilio Pagan (hamstring) expected to miss significant time and presumed replacement Tony Santillan struggling, the Reds turned to Graham Ashcraft in the eighth inning and then Johnson in the ninth. Johnson needed just 12 pitches to retire the heart of the Astros' order, and he now owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings with two holds and a save. While the Reds' closer situation is likely still unsettled, the 34-year-old certainly helped his case for future save chances with Saturday's performance.

Miles will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher for Sunday's series finale against the Angels, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Miles will likely work for an inning or two before turning the game over to Eric Lauer, who had been scheduled to start but will instead work in bulk relief. Across 11 appearances on the season out of the Toronto bullpen, Miles has posted a 3.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 18 innings.