MLB Player News

Erceg (3-3) blew the save and took the loss Saturday, surrendering three runs on five hits while failing to record an out as the Royals fell 7-6 to the Rangers.

Tasked with protecting a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning, Erceg instead served up a leadoff homer to Joc Pederson followed by four straight singles -- the last being an Ezequiel Duran line drive to right field that brought home Brandon Nimmo for the winning run. It was Erceg's fifth blown save of the season, including three in his last four chances, and he's given up multiple runs in three straight appearances to balloon his ERA from 3.26 to 6.33. Even with Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still lacking a clear timeline for his return, the Royals may have no choice but to audition other closing options in Erceg's place.

Montgomery went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Saturday against the Tigers.

Montgomery blasted a solo home run in the eighth inning to put the White Sox up 5-1. It was his 14th home run of the season, and his first since May 16 -- a span of 12 starts. He also hit .191 in that span with just three RBI and four runs scored. Even with that downturn in recent production, Montgomery has a 126 wRC+ on the season with 35 RBI and 27 runs scored across 56 games.

Lugo didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Rangers, giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The veteran righty reeled off his third straight quality start and eighth of the season on 90 pitches (64 strikes), but Lugo watched his potential third win of the year slip away when Lucas Erceg fell apart in the ninth inning. Lugo will take a 3.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB through 71 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Minnesota.

Young didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out seven.

The seven Ks were a career high for Young, who needed 86 pitches (59 strikes) to deliver his second straight quality start and third of the season. The 27-year-old right-hander was headed for his second loss in eight starts until the O's mounted a five-run rally in the ninth inning. Young will take a 3.35 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 33:17 K:BB through 43 innings into his next outing, which lines up to be a rematch with the Jays back in Toronto.

Guerrero went 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Orioles.

The star first baseman appeared to have led the Blue Jays to a win in Baltimore until Jeff Hoffman and the bullpen collapsed in the ninth inning and gave up a five-run, walk-off rally. Guerrero has gone 11 straight games without a homer, but despite the power outage, he's batting .400 (14-for-35) over that stretch with two doubles, two steals, four RBI, eight runs and an 8:3 BB:K.

Hoffman (4-4) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 6-5 to the Orioles, coughing up five runs on three hits and two walks in only one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

After Louis Varland got the call in the eighth inning to face Baltimore's 2-3-4 hitters and protect a 4-1 lead, Toronto tacked on another run in the top of the ninth before handing the ball to Hoffman. He struck out Samuel Basallo to begin the frame but then unraveled after plunking Coby Mayo, with the final two runs on his ledger coming after he'd been replaced by Connor Seabold. After six straight scoreless appearances that included two wins, two saves and a hold, Hoffman seems no more trustworthy in high-leverage spots than he did when he was removed from the closer role in late April. Following Saturday's disaster, he sits with a 6.31 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB through 25.2 innings on the season.

Benintendi went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and two runs scored Saturday against the Tigers.

Benintendi provided some insurance runs for the White Sox, doubling and coming around to score in the seventh inning before blasting a two-run home run one frame later. He now has four home runs on the season, and over his last 11 starts he's hit .300 with two homers, eight RBI and five runs scored.

Yesavage didn't factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and seven walks over five innings as the Blue Jays were downed 6-5 by the Orioles. He struck out four.

The seven free passes shattered Yesavage's previous career high of three in a start, but the 22-year-old right-hander limited the damage to a third-inning RBI single by Gunnar Henderson and left the mound in line for his third win of the season. Jeff Hoffman and the Toronto bullpen had other plans, however, and fell apart in the ninth inning. Yesavage will take a 2.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB through 37 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Atlanta.

The Orioles transferred Kremer (quadriceps) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Kremer, who is on the shelf with a right quadriceps strain, won't be eligible to rejoin the Orioles until late June at the earliest. Brandon Young, who holds a 3.35 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 33:17 K:BB over 43 innings (eight starts), should see several more turns through the rotation.

Meckler went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an additional run scored in Saturday's 14-3 win over the Rays.

Meckler ripped his first career grand slam Saturday to double his RBI total for the season. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has been effective in his strong-side platoon role with Jose Siri in left field so far. Over his first 26 at-bats, Meckler is hitting .308 with two home runs, three runs and two stolen bases.