MLB Player News

Taylor went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Orioles.

Getting his sixth straight start in left field and batting sixth, Taylor took Trey Gibson deep in the first inning for a two-run shot before adding an RBI single in the fifth. While the long ball was his first in the majors in his 45th game, Taylor has hit safely in all six of those starts, batting .409 (9-for-22) during that hot streak with a double, two steals, four runs and eight RBI. With Miguel Andujar (hamstring) having joined Ramon Laureano (hip) on the IL, the door is open for the 27-year-old Taylor to lock down a starting spot in a big-league outfield for the first time since he made his debut with the Royals in 2023. He has little left to prove in the minors -- over 188 Triple-A games the last two seasons between El Paso and Tacoma in the Mariners' system, Taylor is batting .302 with 24 home runs and 53 stolen bases in 64 attempts.

Schneemann went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's win over the Tigers.

Schneemann entered the game in the bottom of the first inning as a pinch runner for the injured Chase DeLauter (ribs), and he'd end up playing a key role offensively by taking a returning Tarik Skubal deep in the bottom of the third inning. This was Schneemann's fifth long ball of the season, and his first since April 27.

Cantillo (5-3) earned the win Saturday against the Tigers after tossing five innings of one-run ball. He gave up six hits while striking out four.

Cantillo allowed the Tigers' lone run of the game on an RBI single from Dillon Dingler in the first inning, but he cruised the rest of the way. One of the most positive aspects for the southpaw was the fact that he didn't issue a single walk for the first time this season, and he also snapped a run of three straight outings giving up four or more earned runs. Cantillo, who owns a 4.38 ERA across 72 innings this season, is set to make his next start on the road against the Astros.

Skubal (3-3) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Guardians after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk across 4.2 innings. He struck out four and hit a batter.

Skubal tied his shortest outing of the season in his first taste of major-league action since April 29. The superstar southpaw was limited to 80 pitches (53 strikes) after missing around six weeks due to loose bodies in his elbow, and it remains to be seen how long it'll take him to rediscover his dominant form after he was the first pitcher to undergo surgery using a nanoneedle that significantly reduced his recovery time. He had a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 43.1 innings prior to being shut down. His next start is set to come at home against a White Sox offense that has been one of the most productive in the American League in recent weeks.

Vasquez (6-4) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in a 9-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed an inefficient 100 pitches (68 strikes) before being replaced to begin the sixth inning, but a four-run first for the Padres gave Vasquez a comfortable cushion before he even got to the mound. The win was Vasquez's first since May 15, and that was also the last time he completed six innings -- over his last five outings, he's stumbled to a 5.63 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB in 24 frames. He'll look to build on this performance in his next start, which is set to come on the road next weekend against the Rangers.

Smith earned the save in Saturday's win over the Tigers after allowing a hit and a walk across 1.1 innings, striking out two.

Smith hasn't blown a save since April 14 and leads the majors in that category with 23. The star closer has a 2.48 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 32.2 innings and 31 outings this season, and he's been one of the best relievers in the majors with a 12.3 K/9, 2.0 BB/9 and 0.1 HR/9 thus far.

Abreu recorded the save Saturday against the Royals after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit.

Josh Hader earned the save Friday, but since he recently returned from the injured list, it seems the Astros are not comfortable using him on back-to-back days. Abreu had no problem stepping in for the ninth to secure his fifth save of the season. The right-hander might have a 6.56 ERA across 27 appearances and 23.1 innings this season, but he's gone 5-for-5 in save chances and also has five holds. He should remain a reliable late-inning option for the Astros.

Varland (3-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth inning as the Blue Jays fell 3-1 to the Yankees. He struck out one.

Brought in for the top of the ninth inning in a 1-1 tie, Varland couldn't get the game to extras as Cody Bellinger led off the frame with a single before Paul Goldschmidt hooked a game-winning two-run homer to left field. It was the first long ball Varland has served up all year, and one stumble isn't going to cost him his spot as Toronto's closer. On the season, the right-hander sports a 0.96 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB through 37.2 innings, and he's a perfect 12-for-12 in converting save chances.

Gausman didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over seven innings. He struck out seven.

The veteran righty dominated a New York lineup missing Aaron Judge (ribs), generating 20 swinging strikes among his 105 pitches (66 total strikes), but the lone hit off Gausman was a solo shot by Jasson Dominguez in the fourth inning. It was an impressive return to form for Gausman after he'd been tagged four eight runs in 11 innings over his prior two outings, and Saturday's quality start was his first since May 22 and eighth of the year. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come on the road next weekend against the Cubs.

Duran tossed a perfect inning and earned the save in Saturday's win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Duran is on the verge of reaching at least 20 saves for the fourth consecutive season, and he should be able to hit that mark before the All-Star break. One of the best closers in the National League, Duran has gone 18-for-19 in save chances while posting a 1.90 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 23.2 innings and 25 appearances this season.