MLB Player News

Medina struck out two batters and allowed one hit and one walk over a scoreless inning out of the bullpen in Friday's 8-2 loss to the Yankees.

The Athletics called upon Medina to work as an opener last Sunday but he's since shifted back to the bullpen and is likely to stick in a middle-relief role, even with Luis Severino (shoulder) landing on the injured list Saturday. For the season, Medina has collected one win and two holds while pitching to a 3.13 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB in 23 innings over 17 appearances.

Fairchild entered Saturday's game in left field for the injured Angel Martinez (foot) and went 0-for-2 in a 9-1 loss to Boston.

Fairchild saw his first game action in the majors since being called up Friday after Steven Kwan was placed on the bereavement list. Martinez, who was removed after four innings, underwent an MRI following the game. If Martinez is forced to miss time, Fairchild and the lefty-hitting Petey Halpin could form a platoon in his place.

Martinez underwent an MRI on Saturday afternoon after leaving a 9-1 loss to Boston with left foot inflammation, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Martinez was removed from the contest prior to the top of the fifth inning. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt withheld comment after the game until the club learns the results of the imaging. Stuart Fairchild replaced Martinez in left field Saturday.

Kahnle is expected to opt out of his minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Monday if he isn't added to the major-league roster, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

After signing late in spring training with Boston, Kahnle stayed behind at the Red Sox's complex in Florida before reporting to Triple-A Worcester in the second week of April. He's been excellent thus far, posting a 1.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 19.1 innings. If the Red Sox aren't able to find a spot on the 26-man roster for the 36-year-old righty, he shouldn't have much trouble securing a major-league deal in free agency.

Verlander (hip) tossed a bullpen session Saturday in Chicago, MLB.com reports.

Verlander returned to the mound three days after he completed a four-inning, 66-pitch simulated game Wednesday during which he topped out at 95.3 mph with his fastball, per Jason Beck of MLB.com. A left hip injury has kept him on the shelf since April 4, and while the 43-year-old hurler has been building up his pitch count in sim games, Detroit could still have Verlander go on a brief rehab stint before bringing him back from the injured list. He'll be re-evaluated Sunday before the Tigers determine his next step.

Burger went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Royals.

Burger was involved in the Rangers' three-run, walk-off rally in the ninth inning. His single plated the game-tying run before Ezequiel Duran won it with another single. For Burger, the RBI was his team-leading 37th. After an April that saw him hit .170 and dredged up memories of the early-season struggles in 2025 that eventually led to a demotion, Burger has responded in May by slashing .286/.343/.516 with five home runs and 18 RBI over 25 contests.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the White Sox.

Perez has only five home runs this season, but three of them have come in his last five games. The power surge is nice, but the outfielder is batting just .235 during the stretch, and he's batting only .172 overall this year. Perez looks like he can occasionally be a nice source of homers, but his low batting average will make him a volatile fantasy asset prone to extended slumps.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Saturday that Gasper has emerged as the team's preferred option at catcher against right-handed pitching, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Following a May 7 promotion, Gasper initially saw most of his opportunities at designated hitter with Roman Anthony (finger/wrist) on the shelf. Masataka Yoshida and Andruw Monasterio have since settled into a platoon at DH, but Gasper has poached starts behind the plate from Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong. Since his call-up, Gasper is slashing an impressive .340/.380/.404 across 51 plate appearances. With zero home runs or steals, eight runs and two RBI over 16 games, however, he isn't providing much fantasy value, and his batting average has been fueled by a .432 BABIP.

Duran went 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-6 win over Kansas City.

Duran recorded the first walk-off plate appearance of his career, capping a ninth-inning, three-run rally with a flare single to right field. The versatile Duran has made himself indispensable as a fill-in at several positions for injured regulars, but he's played well enough to remain a lineup staple even when the roster gets healthy. Across 50 games this season, Duran is slashing .289/.343/.453 with four home runs, 29 RBI, five steals and 24 runs.

Pederson went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Royals.

Pederson ignited a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning with a leadoff homer. That was the first of five consecutive hits, culminating with Ezequiel Duran's walk-off single to wipe out Kansas City's lead. The home run was Pederson's second in as many games and the fifth across his last five contests.