MLB Player News

Fuentes (4-0) picked up the win Friday over the Reds, giving up one hit and striking out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

The 20-year-old right-hander took the mound in the fifth inning with Atlanta ahead 4-2 after Grant Holmes got the hook, and while Fuentes did allow an inherited runner to score, he did enough to be credited with the win. He's been tagged for an earned run in only one of his 11 appearances in May, posting a 0.71 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in 12.2 innings on the month. His long-term future still lies in the rotation, but Fuentes is giving Atlanta valuable long-relief innings this season.

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.

Smith went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in Friday's win over the Reds.

All three knocks were singles, but it was still the third time in his last seven games that Smith has recorded multiple hits and multiple runs scored. The 30-year-old is putting together his best campaign since 2020, slashing .336/.362/.513 through 128 plate appearances with five homers, 20 runs and 25 RBI while being Atlanta's primary DH against right-handed pitching.

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.

Mead went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

The former Rays top prospect gave the Nationals an early 2-1 lead when he launched a mediocre Lucas Giolito fastball 414 feet to center field in the first inning. Mead is up to eight homers on the season, and four of them have come in his last six games as he seizes the starting job at third base. During that heater, the 25-year-old is batting .320 (8-for-25) with six RBI and six runs.

Alvarez didn't factor into the decision Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over three relief innings in a 7-5 loss to the Padres. He struck out one.

The 26-year-old southpaw handled his biggest workload of the season, needing 74 pitches (45 strikes) to record nine outs after Paxton Schultz got the nod as the opener, and the results weren't impressive. Alvarez earned a look as a bulk reliever with a solid start to the season as he bounced between the majors and Triple-A, but through five appearances and 15.2 innings for Washington he now carries a 4.02 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB. Jake Irvin (shoulder) will miss at least one more start, likely leaving Alvarez to work behind an opener again during a home series next week versus the Marlins.

Cruz went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and two RBI on Friday against the Twins.

Cruz drove in a run in the first inning and then blasted a solo home run in the third frame. He has 12 homers on the season, and two in his last six starts. Cruz has hit .333 with four RBI and three runs scored in that span, continuing his breakout campaign.