MLB Player News

King (1-1) earned the win Saturday against the Royals after pitching a perfect eighth inning, striking out one.

King entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 7-7 tie, but he needed just 17 pitches (10 strikes) to retire Nick Loftin, Lane Thomas and Kameron Misner. King, who's back in a setup role now that Josh Hader has come off the IL, hasn't given up a run in each of his last seven appearances. He owns a 1.05 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB across 6.2 innings over that stretch.

Alonso went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 9-3 loss to the Padres.

The slugging first baseman accounted for most of the Orioles' offense on the day, launching a solo shot off Randy Vasquez in the first inning and adding an RBI double in the seventh. Alonso has gone yard three times in the last four games, and through 12 contests to begin June he's slashing .326/.407/.674 with five of his 16 homers on the season, along with 10 runs and 12 RBI.

Burrows didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Royals after allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out five.

The five strikeouts were Burrows' best output since he fanned six in a win over the Rangers on May 27, but that was the lone bright spot for the right-hander. He's given up at least four earned runs in five of his last six starts and owns a 6.95 ERA with a 1.72 WHIP over that stretch. Even more worrying is that his peripherals over that span look troublesome, as he's produced a 6.1 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and 2.7 HR/9. Burrows is scheduled to make his next start at home against the Guardians next weekend.

Gibson (1-2) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on three hits and five walks over 4.1 innings as the Orioles were downed 9-3 by the Padres. He struck out seven.

The rookie right-hander did set a new career high in strikeouts in his fifth big-league appearance and fourth start, but Gibson threw only 53 of 93 pitches for strikes and got hit hard when he did get the ball in the strike zone, serving up homers to Jackson Merrill and Samad Taylor in the top of the first inning as San Diego jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Gibson has a 5.91 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 12:13 K:BB in 21.1 innings for Baltimore, and with Chris Bassitt (back) expected to return from the IL next week, he could be headed back to Triple-A Norfolk before getting another start.

Schneemann went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's win over the Tigers.

Schneemann entered the game in the bottom of the first inning as a pinch runner for the injured Chase DeLauter (ribs), and he'd end up playing a key role offensively by taking a returning Tarik Skubal deep in the bottom of the third inning. This was Schneemann's fifth long ball of the season, and his first since April 27.

Cantillo (5-3) earned the win Saturday against the Tigers after tossing five innings of one-run ball. He gave up six hits while striking out four.

Cantillo allowed the Tigers' lone run of the game on an RBI single from Dillon Dingler in the first inning, but he cruised the rest of the way. One of the most positive aspects for the southpaw was the fact that he didn't issue a single walk for the first time this season, and he also snapped a run of three straight outings giving up four or more earned runs. Cantillo, who owns a 4.38 ERA across 72 innings this season, is set to make his next start on the road against the Astros.

Skubal (3-3) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Guardians after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk across 4.2 innings. He struck out four and hit a batter.

Skubal tied his shortest outing of the season in his first taste of major-league action since April 29. The superstar southpaw was limited to 80 pitches (53 strikes) after missing around six weeks due to loose bodies in his elbow, and it remains to be seen how long it'll take him to rediscover his dominant form after he was the first pitcher to undergo surgery using a nanoneedle that significantly reduced his recovery time. He had a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 43.1 innings prior to being shut down. His next start is set to come at home against a White Sox offense that has been one of the most productive in the American League in recent weeks.

Smith earned the save in Saturday's win over the Tigers after allowing a hit and a walk across 1.1 innings, striking out two.

Smith hasn't blown a save since April 14 and leads the majors in that category with 23. The star closer has a 2.48 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 32.2 innings and 31 outings this season, and he's been one of the best relievers in the majors with a 12.3 K/9, 2.0 BB/9 and 0.1 HR/9 thus far.

Abreu recorded the save Saturday against the Royals after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit.

Josh Hader earned the save Friday, but since he recently returned from the injured list, it seems the Astros are not comfortable using him on back-to-back days. Abreu had no problem stepping in for the ninth to secure his fifth save of the season. The right-hander might have a 6.56 ERA across 27 appearances and 23.1 innings this season, but he's gone 5-for-5 in save chances and also has five holds. He should remain a reliable late-inning option for the Astros.

Varland (3-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth inning as the Blue Jays fell 3-1 to the Yankees. He struck out one.

Brought in for the top of the ninth inning in a 1-1 tie, Varland couldn't get the game to extras as Cody Bellinger led off the frame with a single before Paul Goldschmidt hooked a game-winning two-run homer to left field. It was the first long ball Varland has served up all year, and one stumble isn't going to cost him his spot as Toronto's closer. On the season, the right-hander sports a 0.96 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB through 37.2 innings, and he's a perfect 12-for-12 in converting save chances.