MLB Player News

Karros went 2-for-4 with a run scored Friday against the Athletics.

Karros has been elevated up the Rockies' lineup in each of the last two games against lefties, hitting second on each occasion. He responded with a pair of hits Friday, his fifth multi-hit effort in his last 11 games. Karros has hit .343 with four doubles, two RBI and seven runs scored in that span, one of his more productive stretches of the campaign.

Stanek (2-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Friday against the Twins after allowing three runs on three hits (all home runs) across 1.1 innings. He struck out one.

Stanek had given up just two home runs over 29 outings and 26 innings this season prior to Friday, but he was taken deep by Kody Clemens, Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee. Clemens was the first batter he faced with two outs and two men on base in the seventh inning, and the Minnesota utility man launched his 10th homer of the season to tie the game. Stanek never regained his composure, allowing solo shots to Lewis and Lee in the eighth frame. Despite this subpar outing, Stanek should continue to be a late-inning option for the Cardinals. He owns a 5.60 ERA but has 11 holds, although he's also gone 1-for-3 in save chances, so ninth-inning duties probably aren't on the horizon for him.

Canning (0-5) took the loss Friday, surrendering seven runs on six hits and five walks over five innings as the Padres fell 7-3 to the Orioles. He struck out six.

The 30-year-old right-hander got tagged for three runs in the first and second innings and served up multiple homers for the third time in his last four starts. Canning's return to California after a one-year stint with the Mets has been a disaster so far -- since coming off the IL in early May, he's stumbled to a 7.17 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 39:22 K:BB in 37.2 innings. With German Marquez (forearm) on the same schedule during his rehab assignment and pitching well, the clock may be ticking on Canning's time in the rotation. He's set to make his next start on the road next week in St. Louis.

Leahy didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins. He allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk across five innings while striking out five.

Leahy tossed only 49 of his 77 pitches for strikes and wasn't involved in the decision for a fourth consecutive outing. He's given up at least three earned runs in three of those starts, so it's hard to rely on him in most fantasy formats, especially since he's also failed to pitch more than five innings in each of those aforementioned four outings. Leahy owns a 4.30 ERA with a 25:12 K:BB since the beginning of May and is slated to make his next start at home against the Padres.

Littell (6-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on four hits and a walk over just 1.2 innings in a 10-2 rout at the hands of the Mariners.

A two-run homer by Colt Emerson in the second inning was the biggest blow as Littell got the hook after 56 pitches (43 strikes). The veteran right-hander had given up two runs or fewer in seven straight outings coming into Friday, but this performance looked more like the struggling pitcher who exited April with a 7.85 ERA. Littell will try to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the Royals.

Sasaki (3-4) was tagged with the loss Friday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Sasaki was coming off one of the most dominant outings of his career, striking out 10 across seven shutout innings in a no-decision against the Angels on June 5. However, he couldn't keep it rolling against one of the hottest offenses in the AL. Sasaki seemed to be finding his groove, as he had gone four straight starts allowing two or fewer earned runs before Friday. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up to come at home against the Rays.

Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Marlins.

After sitting out Thursday's game due to a minor hip issue, Rodriguez looked plenty healthy in his return as he took Sandy Alcantara deep in the fifth inning. The 26-year-old catcher is slashing .240/.387/.420 in 19 games since joining the big-league roster in mid-May with two homers, two steals, six RBI and nine runs, making a solid case to remain part of the picture behind the plate when Joey Bart (foot) is activated from the IL.

Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Marlins, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander didn't have his best stuff, tossing 56 of 90 pitches for strikes with just nine swinging strikes, but Ashcraft limited the damage and left the mound with the score tied 2-2. He's now failed to last longer than five innings in back-to-back starts to begin June after completing at least six frames in all six of his May outings, and fatigue may be creeping up on Ashcraft -- he's already thrown 84.2 innings in 2026 after working a career-high 118 between Triple-A and the majors last season. He'll take a 3.30 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 90:19 K:BB into his next start, which is set to come on the road next week against the A's.

Marte went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Marte gave Cincinnati an early lead with his second-inning homer. It was the first homer of the season for Marte, who was recently recalled from Triple-A Louisville. He's hit safely in all five starts and appeared in seven contests since returning to the majors, going 6-for-19 with two extra-base hits, one RBI, three steals and three runs scored.

Hicks went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a two-run home run and two additional runs scored in Friday's 8-3 win over the Pirates.

The breakout slugger took Antwone Kelly deep in the eighth inning to put a cap on another productive night. Hicks is up to 50 RBI on the season, tied for sixth in the majors, and through 67 contests he's slashing .274/.355/.489 with 13 homers and 38 runs while splitting his time almost equally between catcher, first base and DH.