MLB Player News

Littell (4-4) earned the win Monday against the Guardians, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings.

Following opener PJ Poulin, who surrendered one run across two innings, Littell took over and finished out the game, turning in his best outing of the season. The veteran right-hander threw 70 of his 106 pitches for strikes while setting season highs in both innings pitched and strikeouts with seven apiece. Littell has quietly been excellent throughout May, posting a 2.19 ERA across five appearances during the month. Despite the strong recent stretch, his overall season line still sits at a 5.23 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB across 53.1 innings. Littell is scheduled to face San Diego on Sunday in his next start.

Johnson was released by Houston on Sunday.

Johnson was brought back on a minor-league deal with the Astros earlier in May. However, he struggled to a .191 average with one home run, two RBI, two stolen bases and seven runs scored in 11 games since signing the deal, and he'll now be tasked with searching for an opportunity elsewhere.

Smith (hamstring) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Smith had a slow start to 2026 after picking up a hamstring injury. However, he successfully completed a rehab assignment and has returned to High-A Bowling Green. He's now 3-for-13 with two stolen bases and three runs scored in four games since being activated.

Nichols (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

The nature of Nichols' injury remains a mystery, but he's been cleared to rejoin Double-A Montgomery. The 23-year-old drew the start in Friday's matchup against Knoxville, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two across 1.2 innings.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Monday's 9-0 win over the Rangers.

Amid the Astros' no-hit bid, Walker broke the game wide open with a line-drive, three-run homer to extend the lead to 7-0 in the seventh inning. It was deja vu for the first baseman, as it marked the second consecutive game in which he launched a three-run homer to left-center field after taking Shota Imanaga deep Sunday. On the heels of a relatively disappointing first campaign with Houston in 2025, Walker has re-emerged as a feared slugger at the plate in 2026, slashing .265/.339/.540 with 15 homers, 10 doubles, 40 RBI and 32 runs across 55 games.

Marte went 4-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Monday's 6-2 win over the Giants.

Marte continued his unbelievable hot streak by piling up four more hits, giving him 10 over his last three games alone. The veteran second baseman has now hit safely in nine straight contests and has been one of baseball's hottest hitters during that stretch, batting .568 with six doubles, three homers and 15 RBI. After a sluggish start to the season, Marte has raised his slash line all the way to .275/.327/.470.

Jimenez (finger) was activated from the 7-day injured list Thursday.

Jimenez was placed on the injured list to begin the 2026 campaign due to a fractured right ring finger, but he's been cleared to return to action at Single-A Fort Myers. The 20-year-old is 3-for-11 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored in three appearances since being activated.

Erceg (3-2) suffered a blown save and took the loss Monday against the Yankees, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with zero strikeouts in one inning.

Erceg entered in the top of the ninth to protect a 3-2 lead. He got Cody Bellinger to ground out to lead off the inning but then allowed four straight hits to suffer his fourth blown save of the season. The right-hander has now had back-to-back miserable outings after allowing three runs on four hits Sunday against the Mariners. With the two bad outings, Erceg's ERA has ballooned from 3.26 to 5.06 with an 18:13 K:BB across 21.1 innings in 2026.

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a home run, an additional RBI and a walk in Monday's win over the Rangers.

After sitting out Sunday's contest due to back spasms, Alvarez returned to the lineup and got back to mashing, tallying a sacrifice fly in the first inning before blasting a 110.6 mph rocket over the right-center field wall for a solo homer in the fourth frame. The star designated hitter entered Monday's game in a mini-slump, going 4-for-25 (.160) across the previous three series. On the year, the 28-year-old has been one of the top hitters in MLB, slashing .301/.415/.606 with 16 homers, 11 doubles, 33 RBI, 32 runs and a stolen base across 54 games.

Escarra went 3-for-4 with three singles in Monday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

Escarra made just his eighth start of the month behind the dish and snapped an 0-for-13 skid at the plate with the three-hit day. He raised his average from .157 to .200 with the three singles, as Escarra now owns a .541 OPS with seven RBI across 60 plate appearances in 2026.