MLB Player News
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Austin Hedges C | CLE
Guardians' Austin Hedges: Sparks win
Hedges went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Royals. He was also caught stealing.
Hedges, a backup catcher, was an unlikely spark in the Guardians' win that snapped a three-game skid. At second base and down 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Hedges took off for third base and narrowly beat the throw for his first successful swipe of the season and 17th of his 12-year MLB career. On the play, Petey Halpin moved from first to second base, setting up a situation where Chase DeLauter's single delivered both runners. Hedges was later cut down trying to steal in the ninth. It was the second time in three starts that Hedges made an impact in a Cleveland win. There are no immediate plans to change the catching depth chart, but Hedges has .311/.360/.467 slash line over 16 games, which compares very favorably to starter Bo Naylor's .127/.188/.190 line through 27 contests.
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Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Orioles' Pete Alonso: Socks three-run shot
Alonso went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Marlins.
Alonso made an immediate impact, launching his three-run shot in the first inning. The veteran first baseman now has seven homers on the year, and he also extended his hitting streak to seven games. He owns a .360 average and 1.328 OPS with three homers, eight RBI and 10 runs scored over that stretch.
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Bailey Ober SP | MIN
Twins' Bailey Ober: Tagged with loss Wednesday
Ober (3-2) was tagged wth the loss Wednesday against the Nationals after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out three.
Ober tossed 52 of his 82 pitches for strikes, and overall, this was a step in the wrong direction for the right-hander -- he was coming off three straight outings in which he'd given up two or fewer earned runs while pitching at least six innings each time. Ober, who has a 4.19 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across eight starts and 43 innings this season, is scheduled to make his next start against the Marlins at home next week.
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Rico Garcia RP | BAL
Orioles' Rico Garcia: Picks up save Wednesday
Garcia recorded his second save of the season Wednesday after tossing a scoreless ninth inning against the Marlins, walking one and striking out one.
Garcia needed just 15 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done in the bottom of the ninth while holding a three-run lead. After issuing a leadoff walk to Owen Caissie, Garcia induced a double-play groundout from Otto Lopez before retiring Javier Sanoja on a game-ending strikeout. Garcia seems to be the top option to operate as the Orioles' closer as long as Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the shelf and has been pitching very well of late. This was his sixth straight scoreless outing, a span where he's yet to allow a hit while posting a 6:2 K:BB through five frames.
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Brandon Young SP | BAL
Orioles' Brandon Young: Tosses quality start, earns win
Young (3-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Marlins after allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five across six innings.
Young did just enough to record his first quality start of the season, but most important, he delivered a bounce-back performance after allowing 10 runs (four earned) in four frames against the Astros the last time out. This was also the first time Young pitched at least six innings in an outing, but the overall results have been far from attractive -- he has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his past three starts. Young will carry a 4.35 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 14:8 K:BB into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week against the Yankees.
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Drew Thorpe P | CHW
White Sox's Drew Thorpe: Ramping up
Thorpe (elbow) has thrown seven bullpen sessions as part of his rehab process, MLB.com reports.
Thorpe was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, but that's not an indication of the progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last spring. It's unclear when he may begin a rehab assignment, but that will likely be the next step.
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Jack Perkins RP | ATH
Athletics' Jack Perkins: Saddled with first loss, blown save
Perkins (2-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing four runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.
Perkins, who has been emerging as the Athletics' primary closer as of late, entered in the seventh inning Wednesday. The right-hander tossed a clean seventh before unraveling in the eighth, recording just one more out. A throwing error by Jeff McNeil prevented two of the runs from being earned, but nonetheless Wednesday's usage shows that roles remain fluid in the bullpen. Through 14.2 innings, he has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB while converting three of his four save chances.
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Grant Wolfram RP | BAL
Orioles' Grant Wolfram: Registers fifth hold
Wolfram picked up a hold Wednesday against the Marlins, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.
The 29-year-old left-hander has now given up five earned runs in his last nine appearances, so he appears to be well out of contention for save chances in the absence of closer Ryan Helsley's (elbow). Although Wolfram has a superb 20:1 K:BB with five holds over 13 innings, he also has a rocky 4.85 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.
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Jonny DeLuca RF | TB
Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Handling short-side platoon role
DeLuca went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Toronto.
DeLuca doubled off Blue Jays southpaw Patrick Corbin for his seventh two-bagger of the year. While DeLuca tends to sit versus right-handed pitching, he's been effective in his part-time role for the Rays. Over 34 at-bats against left-handers, the righty-hitting outfielder is batting .294 with two home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.
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Kevin Kelly RP | TB
Rays' Kevin Kelly: Records sixth hold
Kelly picked up a hold Wednesday against Toronto, allowing two hits and no walks in a scoreless inning of work.
Although the 28-year-old right-hander hasn't received a save opportunity since early April, he's still been a key part of Tampa Bay's bullpen despite falling out of favor in the Rays' closer picture. Kelly sports a 3.45 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings this year while also collecting six holds.