MLB Player News
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Jake Fraley RF | TB
Rays' Jake Fraley: Kicks off rehab assignment
Fraley (hernia) began a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Saturday, going 0-for-3 as the designated hitter.
Fraley is expected to get a few more at-bats at the rookie level before joining Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. Manager Kevin Cash believes the outfielder is on a "really good schedule," per MLB.com. Fraley has been on the injured list with a hernia for about a month and a half, but he has a chance to return to the Rays prior to the All-Star break in mid-July.
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Brandon Young SP | BAL
Orioles' Brandon Young: Season-high eight Ks in no-decision
Young took a no-decision Saturday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out eight.
Young fanned a season-high eight Saturday, and he also continued to supply the Orioles with length. The 27-year-old right-hander has now worked at least five innings in seven consecutive outings, turning in five quality starts during that period. He is far more likely to maintain his rotation spot over rookie righty Trey Gibson once Dean Kremer (quadriceps) comes off the injured list, since Young holds a 3.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB over 72.1 frames.
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Kai-Wei Teng RP | HOU
Astros' Kai-Wei Teng: Sent down after Saturday's start
Teng was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Teng made the start Saturday against Detroit and gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. That continued a rough June for the right-hander, who has given up at least four earned runs in four of his five starts this month. Teng's demotion to the minors makes room on the 26-man roster for reliever Miguel Ullola, who was recalled from Sugar Land on Saturday. However, Teng's spot in the rotation could soon be taken by Cristian Javier (shoulder), who tossed 75 pitches in his most recent rehab start Sunday and appears to be closing in on returning from the IL.
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Jacob Wilson SS | ATH
Athletics' Jacob Wilson: Available off bench Saturday
Wilson (shoulder) isn't starting against the Angels on Saturday, but he's available off the bench and could be back in the starting lineup Sunday, Michael Huntley of the Orange County Register reports.
Wilson is beginning on the bench for the third straight game while nursing a left shoulder issue. However, manager Mark Kotsay indicated before the contest that the 24-year-old infielder won't need an IL stint and could come off the bench Saturday. Alika Williams is starting at shortstop for a third consecutive contest, but it sounds like that run could end with Wilson's potential return Sunday.
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Kumar Rocker SP | TEX
Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Working as traditional starter Sunday
Rocker will start Sunday's game against Toronto rather than follow an opener, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Rocker worked behind an opener in his most recent appearance and pitched well, allowing two runs over five innings while striking out nine. Despite that success, the Rangers will go back to deploying Rocker as a traditional starter Sunday. Over 13 starts this season, Rocker has posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 49:27 K:BB across 61.1 frames.
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Bryan Baker RP | TB
Rays' Bryan Baker: Slams door for save No. 21
Baker threw a clean ninth inning for the save Saturday against the Diamondbacks.
Baker has now successfully converted 10 saves in a row. With 21 for the year, the right-hander trails only Cade Smith for the major-league lead in saves. Baker has been close to a lights-out closer since seizing Tampa Bay's ninth-inning gig, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 32.1 innings with only three blown saves.
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Michael Grove RP | TB
Rays' Michael Grove: Nearly flawless in season debut
Grove (1-0) earned the win Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in three innings of relief. He struck out four.
Making his season debut for the Rays, Grove was almost perfect out of the bullpen as a bulk reliever Saturday. The 29-year-old right-hander had a delayed start to the year due to March 2025 surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but he looks primed to serve as Tampa Bay's primary long reliever while Steven Matz (ankle) and Jesse Scholtens (wrist) are on the injured list. Grove flooded the zone for 26 strikes (34 pitches), but he certainly doesn't appear to be fully stretched out yet.
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Sean Keys 3B | TOR
Blue Jays' Sean Keys: Collects hit in MLB debut
Keys went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Rangers.
Making his big-league debut at first base while Vladimir Guerrero got a partial breather as the DH and George Springer prepared for a potential stint on the paternity list, Keys collected his first career hit in the sixth inning and came around to score as the Blue Jays tried to claw their way back from an early 6-0 deficit. It's not clear how long Keys will remain on the 26-man roster, but the 23-year-old corner infielder could see consistent playing time while he's in the majors after producing a 1.122 OPS and seven homers in his first 18 games for Triple-A Buffalo.
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Dylan Cease SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Dylan Cease: Can't find plate in Saturday's loss
Cease (4-4) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on four hits and five walks over 4.2 innings as the Blue Jays fell 7-4 to the Rangers. He struck out 10.
While the right-hander did rack up his fifth double-digit strikeout game of the season, Cease struggled to find the plate consistently and issued a season-high five free passes. Walks have been an issue for Cease since he returned from a hamstring strain in early June, and over four starts this month he has a 36:14 K:BB in 21.1 innings along with a 2.95 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He'll try to tighten things up in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Seattle.
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Mike Trout CF | LAA
Angels' Mike Trout: Hits, runs Saturday
Trout (hamstring) took 30 swings and ran at about 50 percent intensity Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Trout said he took 15 swings off a tee and 15 flips, so he's not yet ready to bat in the cage or face live pitching. Still, it's notable progress for the veteran outfielder, who resumed on-field activities Tuesday. Given that he still has multiple obstacles to clear -- most importantly, running at full capacity -- Trout probably won't be activated until at least early July.