MLB Player News

Rice went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals.

Rice gave the Yankees an early lead with a two-run blast in the fourth inning before adding a single and scoring a run in the eighth. It marked his second straight game with a homer and his sixth overall this season. While he's sitting against most lefties to open the campaign, the 27-year-old is slashing an impressive .339/.459/.746 with 12 extra-base hits, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored and one steal across 74 plate appearances.

Pasquantino went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees.

Pasquantino provided the only offense for the Royals, driving in a run on a groundout in the sixth inning before tying the game with a solo shot in the eighth. After a slow start, the first baseman has recorded hits in three straight contests, highlighted by back-to-back games with home runs. For the year, he's slashing .173/.256/.293 with four extra-base hits, 10 RBI and six runs scored across 86 plate appearances.

Wacha did not factor into the decision in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings.

Wacha surrendered a two-run homer in the fourth inning but otherwise kept the Yankees in check. It actually marked a season high in runs allowed for the 34-year-old, and he's now 4-for-4 in quality starts to open the campaign. He'll carry a sterling 1.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB over 27 innings into a home matchup against the Orioles next week.

Bednar earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals, allowing one walk and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bednar was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and worked around a leadoff walk to slam the door on 17 pitches. It marked his second straight scoreless outing after he blew his first save of the season Saturday. On the year, the 31-year-old is 6-for-7 in save opportunities with a 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings.

Schlittler did not factor into the decision in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings.

Schlittler opened with five scoreless frames before allowing an unearned run in the sixth. He generated 16 swinging strikes on 93 pitches to notch his second quality start of the season in a strong rebound after yielding six combined runs over his previous two outings. The 25-year-old will carry a stellar 1.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 36:3 K:BB across 27.2 innings into a road matchup against the Red Sox next week.

Martinez (0-1) took the loss against the Pirates on Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings.

It wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Martinez, who allowed 11 baserunners during Friday's loss. He did limit the Pirates to just one run through five innings before being pulled with one out in the sixth, but he was tagged for another run after Griffin Jax yielded a two-run to Oneil Cruz. Martinez has given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his four outings this season for a 2.45 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 22 innings, though he has yet to record a win. He's slated to take on the Reds next week.

The Blue Jays placed Estrada on the MLB 15-day injured list April 5 with a right shoulder impingement, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Estrada was originally optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, but the team later discovered a shoulder issue that he suffered while playing in the big leagues, so he'll land on the major-league IL. He'll be eligible to return to action Monday, and when he is ready to return the Blue Jays will likely send him back down to Buffalo.

Lewis (knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Lewis has been on the injured list since last Saturday due to a sprained left knee. The Twins haven't revealed how long they plan to keep the 26-year-old in the minors, but the fact that he's been cleared to play in games just a week after suffering the injury could point to him returning when eligible Tuesday.

Yates (knee) will embark on a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday.

Yates opened the regular season on the 15-day injured list due to left knee inflammation. He has progressed enough in his rehab to start a rehab assignment and may need just a couple of outings, given that he is not dealing with an arm issue. Yates could be in the mix for saves upon his return, especially given the recent struggles of Jordan Romano.

Ponce underwent surgery Friday to repair the ACL in his right knee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ponce sprained his right ACL in late March, which was a severe enough injury to require season-ending surgery, but he should be available for the start of spring training. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays in December after spending three seasons in Japan. Ponce's start against the Rockies on March 30 -- when he suffered his injury -- was his first appearance in an MLB game since 2021, when he played with the Pirates.