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Jesse Scholtens RP | TB
Rays' Jesse Scholtens: Nabs win in long relief
Scholtens (5-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over four innings of relief in a 5-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out four.
Steven Matz was activated from the IL earlier in the day to get the start, but he wound up working in tandem with Scholtens as each pitcher tossed four innings. The right-hander pocketed the decision when the Rays rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth. It's not clear if the duo will continue to piggyback, or if Tampa Bay will now shift to a six-man rotation. Scholtens has been effective however he's been deployed this season, and over eight appearances (two starts) he sports a 3.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 36.1 innings.
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Steven Matz RP | TB
Rays' Steven Matz: Works in tandem in return
Matz didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over four innings in the Rays' 5-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out five.
Making his first start since May 3 after recovering from a bout of elbow inflammation, Matz was lifted after 67 pitches (41 strikes) and wound up working in a tandem arrangement with Jesse Scholtens, who got the win while tossing four innings of relief. Matz wasn't expected to have any significant workload restrictions, so it's not clear if he'll continue to piggyback with Scholtens, or if Tampa Bay will shift to a six-man rotation. Regardless of his role or when his next outing will happen, Matz's 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB through 41.1 innings on the season will give him some fantasy appeal in deeper formats.
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Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Orioles' Pete Alonso: Slugs ninth homer
Alonso went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Rays.
The veteran first baseman took Jesse Scholtens deep in the sixth inning for a solo shot as the O's grabbed a 3-1 lead, but the bullpen couldn't make it stick. Alonso snapped a 10-game power drought in the process, with the homer being his ninth of the season to go along with a .228/.310/.434 slash line and 28 RBI in 50 contests.
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Ernie Clement 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Ready to play Wednesday
Clement (illness) will start at second base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Yankees.
While recovering from a bout with strep throat, Clement was limited to a pinch-hitting role in Tuesday's 5-4 loss, but he appears ready to play a full nine innings Wednesday. Since rapping out a season-high five hits May 9 against the Angels, Clement has fallen into a bit of a lull at the dish, going 6-for-27 (.222 average) over his ensuing nine games.
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Jasson Dominguez RF | NYY
Yankees' Jasson Dominguez: Begins hitting off tee
Dominguez (shoulder) resumed hitting off a tee Wednesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Dominguez has taken an important step forward as he works his way back from an AC sprain in his left shoulder, but he remains without a timetable to return from the 10-day injured list. The switch-hitting outfielder has missed almost two weeks of action due to the injury and is unlikely to make it back from the shelf before the end of May.
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Shane Baz SP | BAL
Orioles' Shane Baz: Strong start wasted Wednesday
Baz didn't factor into the decision Wednesday as the Orioles were downed 5-3 by the Rays, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.
The right-hander delivered his second straight quality start on 94 pitches (57 strikes), and Baz left the mound in line for his second win of the season, but the Baltimore bullpen couldn't close things out. Baz is still struggling to find the strike zone, however, and he's issued at least three free passes in four straight outings. He'll take a 4.87 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 48:25 K:BB through 57.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week in a rematch with Tampa Bay.
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Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Tigers' Gleyber Torres: Still unable to swing at full speed
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Torres (oblique) is still unable to swing a bat at full effort, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Torres' left oblique strain no longer gives him any trouble during fielding drills, but the second baseman won't be sent out on a rehab assignment until he can swing a bat at full speed without discomfort. He should be in line for a quick turnaround once he clears that hurdle, but for now, Torres is in a holding pattern in his recovery.
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Trea Turner SS | PHI
Phillies' Trea Turner: Busy on basepaths in loss
Turner went 1-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and two stolen bases in Wednesday's 9-4 loss to the Reds.
Both steals came off the battery of lefty Andrew Abbott and catcher P.J. Higgins, but the rest of the Phillies lineup couldn't do much with the opportunities Turner created. The shortstop has hit safely in seven straight games, batting .267 (8-for-30) and eight runs while collecting four of his nine steals on the season during that stretch.
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Aaron Nola SP | PHI
Phillies' Aaron Nola: Stuck with fourth loss
Nola (2-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Phillies fell 9-4 to the Reds, giving up four runs on eight hits over five innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The veteran right-hander got tagged for three runs in the second inning, and while he left the mound after 77 pitches (55 strikes) without any homers or free passes allowed, the Phillies weren't able to climb out of that early hole. Nola has failed to record an out in the sixth inning in six of his last seven starts, and last year's struggles (6.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 17 regular-season starts) may have simply been a harbinger of further decline. Nola will take a 6.04 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB through 50.2 innings into his next outing, which should come on the road early next week in San Diego.
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Luis Torrens C | NYM
Mets' Luis Torrens: Resting up Wednesday
Torrens is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
The Mets will give Torrens a breather after he started behind the plate in four of the past five games. Hayden Senger will handle catching duties for the Mets on Wednesday, forming a battery with Zach Thornton in the rookie lefty's MLB debut.