MLB Player News

Ozuna went 2-for-6 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Rays.

After batting an abysmal .051 through the Pirates' first 14 games, Ozuna has now hit safely in six straight appearances and has two homers over the last three contests. The 35-year-old might be finding his swing and has boosted his slash line to .185/.254/.292 with two homers, seven RBI, six runs scored and a 6:16 BB:K across 71 plate appearances.

Hoffman (1-2) took the loss Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing four runs on three hits and one walk in the eighth inning. He struck out two.

Summoned to keep the game tied at 2-2 in the eighth frame, Hoffman proceeded to allow three consecutive baserunners to reach before a grand slam by Corbin Carroll before escaping the frame. The right-hander's grip on Toronto's closer role continues to loosen, as he's produced a 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP while converting just two of his five save opportunities through 9.1 innings. Louis Varland was warming up for the ninth had the game remain tied or if a save situation had arose, and he appears to be the next man up in the bullpen should the Blue Jays consider other alternatives for saves. However, manager John Schneider stated that Hoffman remains the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

Benintendi went 1-for-6 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

After Colson Montgomery led off the top of the second inning with a solo homer, Benintendi capped the frame with a three-run shot off Luis Severino. It was Benintendi's first homer of the season, and he's now 4-for-12 with three extra-base hits, four RBI and three runs scored in the first two games of the weekend series against the Athletics. Benintendi is slashing just .200/.262/.367 across 65 plate appearances this season.

Montgomery went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Montgomery got the scoring started in this one, taking Luis Severino deep for a solo shot to lead off the top of the second inning. The second-year shortstop continues to struggle to hit for average as an all-or-nothing type at the plate. Montgomery is slashing just .194/.310/.417 with four homers, 12 RBI, six runs scored, one stolen base and an 8:27 BB:K across 84 plate appearances. He's struck out at least once in 16 of 21 contests and has multiple strikeouts in eight games.

Allen was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals due to back spasms, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The severity of Allen's injury isn't clear, but he can be viewed as day-to-day until the Astros offer another update. Allen has logged just 22 plate appearances all season for Houston, though he had seen action in each of the previous three contests in the wake of Jeremy Pena's (hamstring) recent move to the injured list.

Scherzer took a no-decision Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out one.

After yielding eight runs his last time out versus the Twins, Scherzer got back on track Saturday with his second quality start of the year and his first since his 2026 debut. It was also the veteran right-hander's first start of the season that he didn't serve up a home run. While Scherzer still has an ugly 7.16 ERA through his first 16.1 frames, he does hold a more palatable 1.29 WHIP and is set for a fairly soft matchup against the Guardians for his next start.

Murakami went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and three walks in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Murakami entered play Saturday with a putrid .063 average and 4:10 BB:K across 21 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Facing lefty Hogan Harris in the top of the seventh inning, Murakami took him deep to center field. Both of his hits against left-handers this season are home runs, and overall the Japanese slugger is slashing .209/.386/.522 with seven homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs scored and a 20:29 BB:K across his first 88 major-league plate appearances. Murakami still needs to cut down on his 33 percent strikeout rate, but a 23 percent walk rate and his power have made up for the swing-and-miss thus far.

Fedde didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Athletics, allowing three runs on two hits and four walks with three strikeouts across 4.2 innings.

Fedde struggled with his control and was probably fortunate to not have a worse result, as multiple walks are a recipe for disaster with his command-centric approach. Jacob Wilson took Fedde deep for a solo homer in the second inning, the third homer he's allowed in four starts. Fedde will carry a 3.92 ERA and 15:7 K:BB across 20.2 innings into his next start at home against the Nationals.

Manager Joe Espada said Loperfido (quadriceps) will likely be placed on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Loperfido suffered a quad injury in Friday's game against the Cardinals and was held out of the lineup Saturday. An official transaction could be coming on Sunday, though a more detailed diagnosis and timeline for return remain unclear.

Butler went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI, two walks, two stolen bases and one run scored in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the White Sox.

Butler tried to turn a leadoff double into a triple in the bottom of the eighth inning but was thrown out at third base. His two stolen bases were his second and third thefts of the season. It's been a slow start to the 2026 campaign for Butler, who is slashing just .197/.274/.318 with four extra-base hits -- including a pair of homers -- seven RBI, eight runs scored, three steals and a 7:18 BB:K across 73 plate appearances.