MLB Player News

Caratini went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Athletics.

Caratini delivered a game-tying blast off Mason Miller in the eighth inning. This was Caratini's second straight contest with a homer, and he's hit safely in his last three games. The catcher is at a .261/.327/.405 slash line with five long balls, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored and seven doubles over 171 plate appearances. In addition to his catching duties, he's picked up starts at first base and designated hitter as manager Joe Espada continues to find room for him in the lineup. That playing time should remain steady as long as Houston's outfield is thinned out by injuries, limiting the options for players available to take turns at DH.

Hader (4-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and struck out two over 1.1 innings to take the extra-inning loss Thursday versus the Athletics.

Hader did well to keep the game tied with a sharp 11-pitch ninth inning, but he served up a walk-off home run to Nick Kurtz in the 10th. This is just the second time all season Hader's been tagged for multiple runs, though he has been scored upon in two of his last four outings. He has a 1.67 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 50:7 K:BB through 32.1 innings this season, and he remains a perfect 18-for-18 in save chances, as he entered Thursday's contest with the game tied. Hader is as sharp as ever this year, but it'll be important for him to put this outing behind him quickly, as he's had a tendency to let slumps snowball in previous seasons.

Gordon allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Thursday.

The long ball was again a problem for Gordon, who gave up solo home runs to Willie MacIver and Lawrence Butler in the second inning. This was the third time in four starts where Gordon has given up multiple homers, though he's done a decent job of limiting the damage when he can keep the ball down. He's yet to give up more than four runs in any start, but he's also pitched into the sixth inning just twice. He's at a 4.54 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 34:5 K:BB through 35.2 innings, and it's that sharp control that could eventually help him find success. Gordon has a tough matchup ahead, as his next start is projected to be at home versus the Phillies.

MacIver went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a stolen base in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Astros.

MacIver opened the scoring with his first big-league homer, a second-inning solo shot. This was his second multi-hit effort, and he's now batting .237 with three RBI, three runs scored, two steals and three doubles over 13 contests. MacIver and Austin Wynns will continue to share catching duties while Shea Langeliers (oblique) is out.

Butler went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Butler was given an off day Wednesday after going 0-for-8 with three strikeouts over the first two games of the series versus Houston. The day off appeared to serve him well, as the outfielder bounced back with a second-inning solo shot. He earned his second multi-hit effort over the last nine games, a cool stretch that followed his fantastic start to June. Butler is at a .257/.320/.455 slash line with 11 homers, 31 RBI, 44 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 72 contests. After finishing two steals short of a 20-20 campaign over 125 games in 2024, he's on pace to reach that milestone this year.

Wilson went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Wilson had gone four games without a multi-hit effort, and his homer Thursday was his first since June 5. The shortstop is batting .410 (25-for-61) over 16 games this month, though just five of his hits in that span have gone for extra bases. Wilson continues to be a contact machine, batting .359 with a .908 OPS, nine homers, 39 RBI, 40 runs scored and five stolen bases over 71 contests. He tied Aaron Judge with 101 hits to lead the majors so far this season, and no other player has more than 94 through Thursday's action.

Kurtz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Kurtz has found a taste for clutch power lately, delivering four homers over the last five games, all in the ninth inning or later. His blast Thursday was a walk-off homer against Josh Hader in the 10th. The hot hitting has Kurtz up to a .252/.308/.511 slash line for the year, and he's added nine homers, 23 RBI, 17 runs scored, five doubles and one triple over 37 contests. He's batting .270 (10-for-37) over nine games since he returned from a hip injury.

Miller allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over 1.1 innings, taking a blown save in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Miller was brought in with two outs in the eighth inning, but he allowed a game-tying, three-run home run to Victor Caratini. Miller stayed in for the ninth and kept the game tied, but he didn't reap the rewards of that effort, as Michael Kelly pitched the 10th and earned the win. Miller has converted 14 of 17 save chances this season, so his status as the Athletics' closer isn't in question despite mediocre ratios. He's at a 5.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB over 27.2 innings.

Lopez allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Thursday.

Lopez earned his third quality start of the year, and he's allowed just two runs (one earned) over 16 innings across his last three appearances. He's struck out nine batters in three of his last four starts. Lopez is now at a 4.25 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 49:16 K:BB through 36 innings over 10 appearances (six starts) this season. The southpaw has pitched well enough to maintain a spot in the Athletics' rotation, but he's projected for a tough road matchup versus the Tigers next week.

Locklear is slashing .282/.372/.427 with six home runs, 17 doubles, 38 RBI, 34 runs scored and 12 stolen bases over 68 games covering 293 plate appearances with Triple-A Tacoma this season.

The 24-year-old first baseman is showcasing an intriguing blend of power and speed at first base in the minor leagues. Locklear ranks as Seattle's top prospects for 2025, and he remains an option for a Mariners club that has gotten fairly lackluster production overall across their platoon at the first base. The lefty-hitting Rowdy Tellez has a .720 OPS against righties this season, and the righty-hitting Donovan Solano has a .413 OPS versus southpaws for the year.