MLB Player News

Toro went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in Monday's 2-0 win over Seattle.

Toro's two-out single in the third inning drove in Boston's second run. He's recently moved up the batting order against right-handers -- Toro hit third against the three previous righties faced -- and batted second Monday, the spot that had belonged to Rafael Devers for much of the season. He'll continue to hold the strong side of a platoon at first base and could get starts at third base when Red Sox manager Alex Cora doesn't want to expose Marcelo Mayer to a southpaw. Toro is batting .317/.345/.538 with five home runs, eight doubles, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored over 30 games.

Kurtz went 1-for-4 with a two-run walk-off home run Monday in a 3-1 win against the Astros.

Kurtz was quiet until the bottom of the ninth inning, when he broke a 1-1 tie with a big 447-foot, two-run shot to right-center field. It was the second time in as many days that the young slugger has won the game for the A's with a long ball -- he broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth frame Sunday with a solo blast. Kurtz is still slashing a modest .235/.293/.454 on the campaign, but he's gone deep six times over his past 11 contests and has knocked in 13 runs over that span.

Gusto allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Monday.

Gusto got through four scoreless innings before serving up a solo shot to JJ Bleday in his fifth and final frame. That homer was the first he allowed in four starts, but he nonetheless impressed in one of his best outings this season. Gusto racked up a career-high eight punchouts and induced 12 whiffs while throwing 59 of 87 pitches for strikes. He's registered an outstanding 15:2 K:BB while allowing only three runs over 11 frames across his past two starts.

Spence allowed one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out two batters over five innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

Spence served up a solo homer to Jose Altuve in the first inning, but he kept Houston from scoring over his final four frames. The right-hander recorded just one 1-2-3 inning and induced only six whiffs, but this was still a nice outing overall. Spence has been impressive since joining the Athletics' rotation early this month, allowing only two runs while registering a 10:2 K:BB over 15 innings across three starts. He's tentatively slated to face Cleveland at home in his next appearance.

Anthony went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a 2-0 win over Seattle.

Anthony provided all the offense the Red Sox would need with his 391-foot solo blast in the first inning. The long ball was the first of Anthony's career and just his second hit of any type. Anthony has gone a meager 2-for-21 through seven games, though he's managed to squeeze out a productive four RBI during that span.

Gilbert (1-2) was the pitcher of record in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Red Sox, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters over five innings.

Gilbert returned to the mound following a nearly eight-week absence due to an elbow flexor strain. The right-hander didn't show any signs of rust, as he tallied an impressive 21 whiffs en route to tying a season high with 10 strikeouts. Despite the fantastic outing, Gilbert took his second loss, as four Red Sox pitchers managed to shut out the Mariners offense while allowing just four hits. The positive news for Seattle is that Gilbert tossed 84 pitches and appeared fully back to form, though he's in line for a tough test in what projects to be a matchup against the Cubs in his next start.

Chapman earned a save against the Mariners on Monday, striking out all three batters he faced in one inning of work.

Chapman had little trouble protecting a two-run lead in the ninth frame, as he fired 10 of 13 pitches for strikes and punched out Randy Arozarena, Dylan Moore and Donovan Solano in order. The veteran lefty has a 10-game streak of outings in which he hasn't given up an earned run, and during that stretch he's posted a dominant 14:1 K:BB while allowing just two hits over nine innings. Chapman has successfully converted 13 of 14 save chances on the campaign, and his 42:9 K:BB, 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP through 30 frames make him one of the league's most reliable closers this season.

Giolito (3-1) earned the win over Seattle on Monday, allowing three hits and issuing one walk while striking out 10 batters over six scoreless innings.

This was arguably Giolito's finest start of the campaign, as he racked up a season-high 10 punchouts and tied a season low in allowing three hits. The veteran righty didn't surrender any extra-base hits and missed plenty of bats with 18 swinging strikes. Giolito has had three bad blowouts during which he's yielded six or more runs, but he's also allowed one run or fewer five times in nine total starts. He's given up just one run -- which was unearned -- and six hits across 12 frames over his past two appearances, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to be a road matchup in San Francisco.

Abreu (1-3) allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk without recording an out to take the loss Monday against the Athletics.

Abreu entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at 1-1. He walked Brent Rooker and then served up a two-run home run to Nick Kurtz, which marked the first runs that Abreu surrendered since May 23. Overall, he has 29 scoreless efforts in 32 appearances for the season while also racking up 18 holds.

Mangum went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and three RBI during Monday's 7-1 win over the Orioles.

Mangum has continued to be hot at the plate since his return from the injured list in late May. He's reached base in seven straight games and he's done plenty of damage too with 12 hits, eight RBI and five runs scored in that time. The 29-year-old has been good in a relatively small sample this season, slashing .315/.360/.386 in 37 games played.