MLB Player News

Hoffman (1-1) blew a save and took the extra-inning loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and no walks with one strikeout while recording two outs in the 10th inning.

Hoffman entered the 10th inning with a 4-3 lead and recorded two outs before things unraveled. Tyler Heineman, who came in at catcher mid-inning to replace Alejandro Kirk (thumb), made an errant throw on a bunt single by Derek Hill that allowed the tying run to score. Hill then came around to score on a walkoff single by Tristan Peters. While Hoffman has allowed only one earned run and posted an 11:0 K:BB through his first five appearances this year, he's converted just one of three save chances after a tumultuous 2025 that ended with a blown save in Game 7 of the World Series.

Kirk was removed from Friday's game against the White Sox after being struck in the left thumb by a foul tip while catching, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI before departing during the bottom of the 10th inning after the foul tip. The Blue Jays should provide an update in the near future, but for now, the 27-year-old backstop should be considered day-to-day.

Mayer went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 5-2 win over the Padres.

Mayer doubled and scored in the third inning before adding a two-run homer in the sixth. The long ball was particularly impressive, coming in his first at-bat against a lefty this season after he went just 4-for-26 against southpaws in 2025. The 23-year-old is off to an encouraging start, going 5-for-17 with four extra-base hits and five runs scored through seven games. Entering last season as one of the game's top prospects, he still offers upside as a potential post-hype sleeper in 2026.

Chapman earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Padres, allowing no hits and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman was called on to protect a three-run lead and slammed the door despite throwing just 11 of 21 pitches for strikes. The veteran has picked up where he left off after a superb 2025 campaign, tossing three scoreless frames and converting both of his save opportunities to start this season.

Gray (1-0) earned the win against the Padres on Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts over six innings.

Gray allowed two runs in the fifth inning but held the Padres scoreless otherwise en route to his first quality start in a Red Sox uniform. While the veteran generated just eight whiffs on 87 pitches, it was a solid rebound after he lasted only four frames in his season debut Saturday. He's posted an 8:1 K:BB through 10 innings to open the 2026 campaign and lines up for a home matchup against the Brewers next week.

The Astros recalled Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

The 27-year-old will join the Astros ahead of Friday's series opener against the A's with Isaac Paredes being placed on the bereavement list. Given Houston's glut of infielders, Whitcomb is likely to fill a reserve role while up with the big club.

The Astros placed Paredes on the bereavement list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

By rule, Paredes will miss at least the entire three-game weekend series against the Athletics and as many as four additional contests after that. Paredes has started six of seven games this season, but with Jeremy Pena getting back up to speed following a finger injury, Paredes' playing time could dip a bit once he's back from the bereavement list.

India is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.

It's a routine day off for India, who has now started five of the first seven contests at second base this season. Nick Loftin is handling the keystone and batting eighth in Friday's series opener.

Jensen is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.

Jensen had to be scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Twins after he overslept, and he remains out of the lineup Friday even as the Brewers are sending a righty in Chad Patrick to the bump. He entered Thursday's game late on defense and presumably will be available off the bench again Friday. Starling Marte is at designated hitter and batting sixth for the Royals on Friday.

Eflin is traveling to receive a second opinion for the MRI he underwent on his right elbow Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eflin departed his season debut Tuesday against the Rangers due to right elbow discomfort and landed on the injured list a day later. It's unclear what the initial reading of the MRI revealed, but heading for a second opinion is rarely a positive development.