MLB Player News

Walker suffered a blown save Saturday against the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts across two innings.

With the Giants leading 6-5 headed into the bottom of the ninth, Walker was called on to protect the one-run lead. He gave up a leadoff double to Jorbit Vivas and later the game-tying single to Brady House. Walker allowed two more baserunners in a scoreless 10th inning. Prior to Saturday, Walker hadn't entered in a save situation since March 30. Three different Giants are tied for the team lead with one save apiece, so Walker's position in the closer committee is tenuous, at best. The right-hander has a 4.00 ERA and 10:5 K:BB across nine innings this season.

Alexander is not in the Orioles' starting lineup against the Guardians on Saturday.

Alexander will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game, with Coby Mayo starting at third base and batting eighth. Alexander is slashing .227/.292/.250 with three steals (in four attempts), one RBI, six runs scored and a 3:15 BB:K across 49 plate appearances this season.

Loperfido (quadriceps) is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Loperfido injured his right quad during Friday's series opener. He'll rest up Saturday in hopes that he is cleared to return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Houston will instead start Yordan Alvarez, Taylor Trammell and Cam Smith in the outfield from left to right.

Paredes (leg) will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Paredes entered Friday's game in the fourth inning as a pinch hitter but was later removed due to a leg injury, though the issue doesn't appear to be a serious one as he's back in the lineup for Saturday's contest. He has struggled at the plate as of late, going 0-for-11 with four walks and three strikeouts over his last four games.

The Phillies selected Reyes' contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Reyes has gotten off to a strong start at Lehigh Valley, slashing .333./.345/.654 with six homers, 15 RBI and 12 runs scored through 84 plate appearances. The 25-year-old has experience at first and third base as well as the corner outfield positions, so he'll replace the struggling Otto Kemp as Philadelphia's bench utility player. Reyes will be making his MLB debut while starting in left field Saturday against Atlanta.

The Phillies optioned Kemp to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Kemp has appeared in 10 games for the Phillies this season, during which he's managed just a .282 OPS through 22 plate appearances. He'll head back to the minors to get back on track, and Felix Reyes will come up from Triple-A to fill the open roster spot.

Pauley (oblique) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Oblique discomfort forced Pauley to make an early exit Friday and will officially keep him out of Saturday's contest as well. However, he said he was feeling better before the game and has taken swings, per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com, so he may be able to avoid a trip to the injured list. In the meantime, Javier Sanoja will start at the hot corner for Miami.

House isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against San Francisco.

House will take a seat after making four straight starts, during which he went 3-for-19 (.158) with two RBI and a run scored. His absence will allow Jorbit Vivas to pick up another start at third base.

Tena went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Giants.

The utility infielder got the start at designated hitter and hit eighth, putting together his first multi-hit performance in April. Tena has seen most of his action to begin the season at DH and has been used exclusively against right-handed pitchers, and while he's hit .355 (11-for-31) in that role, he has zero homers or steals, and that batting average is inflated by a .478 BABIP.

Walker (1-3) took the loss Friday as the Phillies were routed 9-0 by Atlanta, coughing up seven runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander served up homers to Austin Riley in the second inning and Dominic Smith in the third, the second time in four starts that Walker has been taken deep multiple times. It's been a brutal beginning to the year for the 33-year-old, and he carries a 9.16 ERA, 2.04 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB through 18.2 innings. Zack Wheeler (shoulder) will make what could be his final rehab start Sunday, but that schedule would allow Walker to get one more turn through the rotation on the road next week against the Cubs before being replaced.