MLB Player News

Hicks went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's loss to the White Sox.

Starting at DH and batting seventh, Hicks took Caleb Freeman deep in the seventh inning, briefly tying the game at 2-2 before Max Meyer faded in the bottom of the frame. Hicks is still seeing semi-regular playing time even with Agustin Ramirez in the majors and Nick Fortes back from the IL, and the Rule 5 pick has gone yard in back-to-back starts while starting in three of the first seven contests in May. On the season, Hicks is slashing .254/.338/.433 with three homers, eight runs and 18 RBI in 79 plate appearances.

Martinez (1-4) was saddled with the loss after giving up three earned runs on 10 hits while striking out five batters in six innings Friday against the Astros. He did not issue a walk.

It's somewhat impressive that Martinez was able to deliver a quality start despite allowing 10 base hits, but a lack of run support from the Reds' bats led to the 34-year-old taking his fourth loss in eight starts this year. The good news is that he'll have a strong chance to bounce back in his next start while facing a White Sox team that ranks last in the majors with a .614 OPS.

Sanchez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Friday's loss to the White Sox.

The 27-year-old outfielder didn't make his season debut until April 15 due to an oblique strain, but Sanchez is looking fully healthy now. He's racked up multiple hits in three of the last four games, and three of his four steals on the year have come in those contests. Sanchez stole a career-high 16 bags on 18 attempts in 2024, and it looks like that success on the basepaths was no fluke. Despite the recent spark, he's slashing just .235/.321/.309 through 78 plate appearances with one homer, four runs and seven RBI.

White struck out eight and gave up two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings Friday for High-A Beloit.

The 20-year-old southpaw is the Marlins' top pitching prospect, and he's having little trouble getting whiffs against Midwest League hitters. White has fanned at least seven batters in three straight starts, and while he's also issued multiple walks in all six of his outings so far in 2025, he has yet to serve up a homer. The 35th overall pick in the 2023 First-year Player Draft has a 3.24 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB through 25 innings, and a promotion to Double-A could be in the cards this summer if he can tighten up his control just a touch.

Horwitz (wrist) has gone 4-for-28 with five strikeouts on his rehab assignment split between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis.

Horwitz has been on assignment since April 27 and has needed extensive ramp-up time after missing all of spring training. He still hasn't found a rhythm at the plate, though he has struck out at a reasonable 16.7 percent clip. The Pirates need offensive help, but they may opt to let Horwitz start to hit better before activating him.

Maldonado went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in a 13-9 win against Colorado on Friday.

Maldonado's long ball was a fifth-inning two-run shot to left field that gave the Padres a 10-1 lead. It was his first homer since April 6 -- a span of 16 games. Maldonado's .207/.233/.328 slash line is far from impressive, but if he keeps up this pace he'll finish with a batting average above the Mendoza Line for the first time since 2020. The veteran backstop has started four of San Diego's past seven games behind the plate, with Elias Diaz starting the other three.

Meyer (2-4) took the loss in Friday's game against the White Sox after allowing five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters in 6.1 innings.

Meyer squandered an early lead by allowing a solo home run to Andrew Vaughn and a Michael Taylor RBI double in the second inning, and the right-hander was chased in the seventh after giving up three additional runs to a Chicago lineup that averages just 3.4 runs per game. After starting the season with a 2.10 ERA through his first five starts, Meyer has now given up five earned runs in each of his last three outings, elevating his ERA to 4.37. He'll get another chance to turn things around next week while pitching at home against the Rays.

Kiner-Falefa (hamstring) has resumed baseball activity and is expected to run the bases this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Kiner-Falefa has been sidelined since early May with a right hamstring strain, though he was never expected to be out long. He's eligible to return Sunday, but he may need a few additional days before being activated.

Rodriguez (finger) had his splint removed, is playing catch and has resumed a modified swing, MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez has been sidelined with a laceration on his right index finger since April 15. His progress has been slower than anticipated, though he should still have the chance to return later in May.

Pressly worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Mets. He struck out one.

Pressly's last appearance Tuesday was a nightmare as he allowed nine runs (eight earned) on five hits and one walk without recording an out. The veteran righty was better Friday, though he's still stuck with an ugly 7.07 ERA. The Cubs haven't presented any save opportunities since Tuesday, and it remains to be seen if Pressly will get the team's next chance or if someone like Porter Hodge is asked to step up instead.