MLB Player News

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-1 win over Kansas City.

Pederson is in the midst of a power surge, having swatted four homers over the last four games. He's lately getting turns as the team's leadoff batter and is slashing .295/.380/.682 with six walks, five home runs and nine RBI over 14 games in that role.

Foscue was not in the starting lineup for a third consecutive game Friday. He did enter to play first base in the final inning of Texas' 9-1 win over the Royals.

Foscue had been a regular presence at second base but has watched from the bench as the recently signed Nicky Lopez started the last three games, all against right-handers. Foscue has appeared in all three contests, either as a pinch hitter or a late-game substitution. The Rangers are scheduled to face Kansas City right-hander Seth Lugo on Saturday, which could mean a fourth straight game on the bench for Foscue.

Lopez started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 9-1 win over the Royals.

The left-handed-hitting Lopez, who started a third consecutive game at second base since signing with the Rangers, connected for his first hit in a Texas uniform. All three of the starts have come against right-handers, indicating he may be involved in a platoon at the keystone with Justin Foscue.

Samaniego (0-3) took the loss against the Guardians on Friday, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two over one inning as the opener.

Samaniego, who was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, put the Red Sox in a deep hole, from which they could not dig themselves out. Ironically, he was one of Boston's most effective relievers during his first stint in the majors, recording a 1.04 ERA across 17.1 innings.

The Twins recalled Klein from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

Klein has conceded two earned runs in just 2.1 innings with the Twins this season, but since being optioned to Triple-A on May 7, he's posted a 3.65 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with a 16:5 K:BB across 12.1 innings. Now back with the big club, he'll presumably work in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen, replacing Simeon Woods Richardson, who was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

The Twins designated Woods Richardson for assignment Saturday.

Woods Richardson has struggled to the tune of a 7.74 ERA and 1.89 WHIP through 47.2 innings this season, and following his five-run, 2.2-inning spot start Friday, the Twins have officially decided to remove him from their big-league roster. John Klein was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.

Sogard (side) entered Friday's game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and finished the game at first base in a 4-3 loss to Cleveland.

The switch-hitting Sogard has been dealing with an issue on his right side which bothers him when hitting left-handed. He seemed fine going from first to third but never got the chance to test the injury during a plate appearance. The Red Sox are scheduled to face Guardians left-hander Parker Messick on Saturday, which will present an opportunity for Sogard to swing from the right side of the plate.

Whitlock (knee) threw from flat ground Thursday but has been shut down after experiencing discomfort, MLB.com reports.

Whitlock attempted to throw after getting a pain-killing injection, but it appears he starting throwing too soon. As a result, the right-hander will be shut down for a period of three or four days. Despite the setback, the club believes his stay on the 15-day injured list should be for the minimum amount of time. Whitlock is eligible to return June 9.

Short went 0-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the White Sox.

That Short managed to score and drive in a run without recording a hit is fairly impressive, though his .125 batting average would have benefitted from a few base knocks. The 31-year-old has provided some infield depth in Detroit with Gleyber Torres (oblique) and Javier Baez (ankle) both currently out, though Short doesn't offer a ton of fantasy appeal with his limited offensive production.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with an RBI and had an outfield assist in Friday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

Martinez made an impact early in the game. He singled in the Guardians' third run in their four-run first inning and then gunned down Mickey Gasper at the plate an inning later. He's cooled off during the month of May (.225 average), but Martinez has maintained a run-producing bat and remains a regular in the starting lineup, either in left or right field. His 29 RBI and 19 extra-base hits are second on the club.