-
Max Scherzer SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Max Scherzer: Next start could come in majors
Scherzer (forearm) gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over 3.2 innings for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. He struck out five.
While the results weren't great, the 41-year-old right-hander topped out at 95.7 mph with his fastball while throwing 73 pitches (44 strikes), per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Scherzer has dealt with a litany of healthy issues in the early part of the season, including right forearm tightness, but he's closing in on returning to the Blue Jays' rotation for the first time April 24. It's not yet clear whether the organization will activate him from the IL next week for a home series against the Phillies, or have Scherzer make one more rehab start.
-
Royce Lewis 1B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Recalled from Triple-A
The Twins recalled Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.
Lewis was sent down to Triple-A in mid-May but has officially earned a spot back on the major-league roster after slashing .340/.417/.868 with eight home runs, 19 RBI and 12 runs scored in 13 games with the Saints. It's unclear whether he'll reclaim the primary third baseman job from Brooks Lee now that he's back with the Twins, but Tristan Gray seems likely to be the player most affected by Lewis' return. James Outman was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
-
Briggs McKenzie SP | ATL
Braves' Briggs McKenzie: Quick promotion to Single-A
McKenzie allowed just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings in his debut for Single-A Augusta on Friday. He struck out eight.
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft who got a well-above-slot $3 million signing bonus to buy him out of a commitment to LSU, McKenzie made only three starts in the Florida Complex League this season to begin his pro career before earning a promotion, delivering a 0.79 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings in the FCL. The 19-year-old lefty sports a mid-90s fastball, a promising changeup and a curveball that's already flashing plus, and his frame and portside delivery have drawn early comparisons to Rangers southpaw MacKenzie Gore.
-
Blake Dunn CF | CIN
Reds' Blake Dunn: Moves to center field
Dunn started in center field and went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's 10-3 loss to St. Louis.
Dunn opened the game with a single and scored the Reds' first run. This was his second straight start in center field, after the club demoted TJ Friedl on Wednesday. At the very least, Dunn will serve on the strong side of a platoon there with Dane Myers entering the lineup against lefties. Dunn is slashing .284/.333/.420 over 87 plate appearances since his call-up in early May.
-
Adolis Garcia RF | PHI
Phillies' Adolis Garcia: Goes yard again Friday
Garcia went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 8-6 win over the White Sox.
The veteran outfielder has had a tough time adjusting to his new surroundings after spending the prior six seasons with the Rangers, but Garcia may be getting comfortable as a Phillie. He's gone yard in back-to-back games as part of a modest four-game hit streak to begin June, boosting his batting average back above .200 after he ended May in a 2-for-35 funk. On the year, Garcia's slashing .202/.279/.333 with six homers, three steals, 18 RBI and 20 runs in 62 contests.
-
Kyle Schwarber DH | PHI
Phillies' Kyle Schwarber: Four hits in Friday's win
Schwarber went 4-for-5 with two runs scored in Friday's 8-6 win over the White Sox.
It was the ninth career game with at least four hits for the veteran slugger, but his first with zero extra-base hits. Schwarber is locked in at the plate right now, slashing .357/.438/.595 over the last 11 games with three homers, four RBI and six runs, and he still leads the majors with 23 homers in 60 contests.
-
Noelvi Marte RF | CIN
Reds' Noelvi Marte: Makes first start since call-up
Marte started in right field and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 10-3 loss to the Cardinals.
Marte made his first start since being recalled Wednesday. The Reds have cycled through a few bodies in the outfield, including Marte earlier this season, and will give him another shot. The recent demotion of TJ Friedl opened up center field for Blake Dunn, leaving right field for Marte or Will Benson whenever Spencer Steer is occupying another position.
-
Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Phillies' Jhoan Duran: Collects 15th save
Duran struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 15th save of the season in an 8-6 win over the White Sox.
The right-hander has been almost untouchable since returning from an oblique strain in early May. Duran's allowed a run in only one of his last 13 appearances, posting a 0.69 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 23:2 K:BB in 13 innings over that span while converting all 10 of his save chances.
-
Kyle Teel C | CHW
White Sox's Kyle Teel: Resumes baseball activity
Teel (hamstring/knee) has begun hitting off a tee and doing catching drills, MLB.com reports.
Teel resumed running at the end of May, so he has made progress toward a return. However, manager Will Venable stated that none of the drills were being done at a high intensity, suggesting Teel isn't particularly close to returning. Teel will likely need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, so his absence may stretch into July.
-
Jesus Luzardo SP | PHI
Phillies' Jesus Luzardo: Escapes with no-decision Friday
Luzardo didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-6 win over the White Sox, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out two.
The ball was flying out of Citizens Bank Park on Friday night, and three of the seven hits off Luzardo left the yard, including a pair of solo shots by Randal Grichuk. Even so, the southpaw left the mound in line for his fifth win of the season, but Chicago was able to tie it up in the top of the seventh inning. Luzardo hadn't served up a homer in any of his prior four starts, but erratic performances are nothing new for the 28-year-old. He'll take a 4.56 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 80:21 K:BB through 73 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road in Toronto.