MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 9-1 win over Miami.

Smith snapped a long homer drought Wednesday, as his last long ball came over a month ago during an April 17 win in Philadelphia. The 30-year-old journeyman has found a home in 2026 as Atlanta's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, as injuries have disrupted the team's plan to give most of that playing time to their catching duo of Drake Baldwin (oblique) and Sean Murphy (finger). Through 98 at-bats in 39 games, Smith is hitting a torrid .337 with nine extra-base hits, 22 RBI and 15 runs scored.

Vest allowed a run on two hits across an inning of work and was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Guardians. He struck out one.

The Tigers decided to use regular closer Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning against the top of Cleveland's lineup to protect a 1-0 lead. That left the ninth for Vest, and the veteran allowed the lead to slip away on a pair of hits and an RBI groundout. Vest has struggled this year with a 5.93 ERA across 13.2 innings, blowing two saves in his past four appearances. His early season performance should leave no doubt that Jansen is locked in as Detroit's closer.

Sale (7-3) earned the win Wednesday against Miami, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.

The All-Star southpaw found himself in peak form again Wednesday, generating 18 whiffs en route to fanning at least seven for a sixth consecutive start. Sale has now spun at least six frames while yielding one or no earned runs in eight of his 10 outings on the year. He'll take a career-best 1.89 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 72:14 K:BB over 62 innings into his next appearance, which tentatively lines up to come in Boston against the Red Sox.

Ramirez went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning win over Detroit.

Ramirez had done little through the first nine innings, but he showed up with a clutch hit in the extra frame. He doubled in what became the game-winning run. Ramirez is beginning to emerge from a season-opening slump; he's 10-for-23 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI over the last six games.

Junk (2-5) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing eight runs on eight hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out three.

Junk poured in 62 of his 88 pitches for strikes Wednesday, but he might have been too aggressive in pounding the zone. The 30-year-old right-hander was tagged for a season-worst eight runs, and he's now served up six home runs over four starts in the month of May after giving up only a pair of homers in his first six outings of the season. Junk will be trying to keep the ball in the park during his next scheduled appearance in Toronto, where he'll bring a 5.07 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB over 55 innings.

Martinez went 1-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Tigers.

The Guardians' offense did little for eight innings before managing to tie the game in the ninth and win it in the 10th. Martinez tripled in the go-ahead run in the top of the extra frame and scored the game-winning run. The outfielder has been rolling of late, going 10-for-32 with four home runs, nine RBI, 10 runs and three steals over the last eight contests.

McCarthy went 2-for-5 with a triple, a stolen base, and two runs scored Wednesday against the Rangers.

McCarthy led off the bottom of the first inning with a single followed by his ninth stolen base of the season, tying Brenton Doyle (oblique) for the team lead. The 28-year-old McCarthy is carrying a hot bat in May, going 15-for-46 (.326) with two doubles, two triples, two homers, three steals, 11 RBI and seven runs in 15 games.

Grisham was removed from Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays with left knee discomfort.

Grisham wasn't moving well after legging out a double in the second inning, and the Yankees eventually decided to take him out of the game in the fifth. The team will send him in for imaging Thursday, at which point more will be known regarding his status. Should he have to miss time, Spencer Jones would be the favorite to pick up starts in center field.

Duran went 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Rockies.

Duran belted a two-run homer in the fourth inning that erased the Rockies' early lead. He had a productive three-game set against Colorado, finishing the series 7-for-14 with three extra-base hits and eight RBI. For the season, the right-handed hitting Duran is slashing .295/.352/.488 with four home runs and 23 RBI over 41 games. He'll continue to fill in at shortstop with Corey Seager (back) on the 10-day injured list.

Burger went 2-for-5 with a solo homer in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Rockies.

Burger has clubbed three long balls in his past seven games and leads the Rangers in both home runs (nine) and RBI (33). The first baseman is batting .305 with 14 RBIs and a 6:11 BB:K through 16 games in May.