MLB Player News

Early (2-2) took the loss against the Astros on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three across four innings.

Early started out slowly by yielding one run on three baserunners in the first inning. He kept the Astros off the board over the next two frames but was tagged with four runs in the fourth, highlighted by a three-run long ball by Brice Matthews. It was the first time this season (in seven starts) that Early gave up more than three earned runs, and he now sits at a 3.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings. He's slated to start next week at home against the Rays.

Correa went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored during the Astros' 6-3 win over the Red Sox on Saturday.

Correa gave the Astros a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning after his single off Connelly Early brought Cam Smith home. It was the 10th multi-hit game of the season for Correa, five of which have come over his last 10 games. He has reached base safely in six straight games, going 9-for-24 (.375) with two home runs, three RBI and five runs scored over that span.

Matthews went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk during the Astros' 6-3 victory over the Red Sox on Saturday.

Matthews gave Houston a 4-0 run lead after belting a three-run long ball to center field off Connelly Early. It was the third home run of the season for Matthews, two of which have come over his last five games. In that five-game span, he has gone 9-for-21 (.429) with one steal, six RBI and four runs scored. Matthews has enjoyed more playing time in the outfield as of late due to the absences of Joey Loperfido (quadriceps), Taylor Trammell (groin) and Jake Meyers (oblique), all of whom are on the Astros' 10-day injured list.

King earned his second save of the season Saturday against the Red Sox after retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

The Astros deployed Enyel De Los Santos across the fifth and sixth frames of Saturday's game, and manager Joe Espada opted to go with King over Bryan Abreu to protect the team's 6-3 lead in the ninth. King answered the call and needed just six pitches (four strikes) to retire the side. The Astros should continue to use a committee approach to closing duties between King, Abreu and De Los Santos until Josh Hader (biceps) is cleared to return from the 60-day injured list, the earliest of which would take place in late May.

Arrighetti (4-0) earned the win against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and five walks while striking out four across five innings.

It was by no means a seamless outing for Arrighetti, who loaded the bases in both the third and fifth frames. However, he yielded just one run on a sacrifice fly from Willson Contreras in the fifth, and Arrighetti got enough run support to come away with his fourth victory of the season, which is tied for second-most in the American League. He'll bring a 1.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP (across 23 innings) into his next start, tentatively slated for next weekend on the road against the Reds.

Walker (head) said after Saturday's 6-3 win over the Red Sox that he passed concussion tests and plans to play in Sunday's series finale, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walker was immediately removed in the ninth inning of Sunday's game after taking a 93-mile-per-hour fastball to the head, which cracked his helmet. The good news for Walker is that he avoided serious injury and is on track to be available for Sunday's contest. He went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI single an additional run scored before his exit.

Bolton will serve as the Astros' starter for Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Bolton was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday and pitched out of the bullpen later that day against the Orioles, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in one inning. He's previously started on two occasions for Houston this season, maxing out at 4.1 innings between those outings. With that in mind and because he's pitching on two days' rest, Bolton is unlikely to work deep enough into Sunday's contest to qualify for a win, though he should offer the Astros more length than a typical opening pitcher.

Painter (1-3) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out seven across five innings.

It was the third time in six starts that Painter recorded at least seven punchouts. However, the 23-year-old right-hander struggled with his command during Saturday's loss and faced bases-loaded situations in both the second and third innings. He limited the damage to three runs despite yielding 10 baserunners, but Painter was unable to avoid the loss after his Phillies teammates were limited to just one hit. He will bring a 5.28 ERA and 1.59 WHIP (across 29 innings) into his next start, which is tentatively slated for next week at home against the Athletics.

Lopez went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored during Miami's 4-0 win over Philadelphia on Saturday.

Lopez came home to score in the third inning after Connor Norby drew a bases-loaded walk, and the former later gave the Marlins their fourth run of the game after his infield single scored Esteury Ruiz in the sixth. Lopez is up to 12 multi-hit games on the season, four of which have come over his last eight outings. The 27-year-old shortstop has accumulated 43 hits and has a .336 batting average, both of which are second best in the majors behind Shea Langeliers (45 hits) and Ildemaro Vargas (.388 BA), respectively.

Jimenez elected to enter free agency Saturday after clearing waivers.

Jimenez was DFA'd by the Blue Jays on Wednesday, as the team needed to make room on the roster for George Springer (toe), the latter of whom returned from the 10-day injured list. Jimenez will now have the opportunity to select his next landing spot, and he should garner interest from teams looking to add another right-handed bat to the roster. Jimenez has gone 9-for-31 (.290) with three walks, three RBI and two runs scored this season.