MLB Player News

Benson started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI in Monday's 2-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Benson delivered the Reds' second run in the fourth inning, his first extra-base hit and RBI of the season. He's started two games in right field thus far, both against right-handers. Noelvi Marte has started against lefties.

Pagan was one of three relief pitchers unavailable in Monday's 2-0 win over the Pirates, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

With the game on the line, Cincinnati manager Terry Francona turned to Connor Phillips, who walked the first two batters before converting the save. Pagan should be available if a closer is needed Tuesday.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 9-6 win over Detroit.

Vargas started at designated hitter Monday after the Diamondbacks placed Pavin Smith (elbow) on the 10-day injured list. The switch-hitting Vargas got the assignment against a right-hander, although manager Torey Lovullo typically likes to rotate bodies through the DH spot. Vargas is more experienced at second and third base, but he has played 14 games at first base during his career and could be part of the rotation there along with Carlos Santana and Tim Tawa.

Santana started at first base and went 0-for-3 with a walk in Monday's 9-6 win over the Tigers.

Santana was in the lineup against a right-hander after Pavin Smith (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday. The switch-hitting Santana, in theory, could start against pitchers of either hand, but it's uncertain how manager Torey Lovullo wants to handle first base going forward without Smith. Tim Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas are also options. Santana is 1-for-12 through four games played in the regular season.

Benge went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's win against the Cardinals.

Benge continued his fast start to the season, collecting two hits and swiping his second stolen base of the year. The 23-year-old later came around to score in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Bo Bichette. The rookie has carried over his impressive spring, where he slashed .366/.435/.439, and is quickly establishing himself as a contributor early in his MLB career.

Henderson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI during Monday's 5-2 loss to the Rangers.

Henderson clubbed his first home run of the season in the opening inning, sending a Jack Leiter pitch out of the yard to tie the game at one. Later, he tacked on an RBI single, but it wouldn't be enough for the Orioles to get the win. Even with Monday's success, it's still been a tough opening week for the 24-year-old as he's just 3-for-16 (.188 batting average) with seven strikeouts.

Raleigh went 1-for-2 with a walk-off RBI single in Monday's 2-1 win against the Yankees.

After striking out in his first at-bat as a pinch hitter, Raleigh came through in the clutch, ripping a one-out single down the line that got past a diving Ben Rice at first base and allowed the winning run to score. While it's far too early to draw big conclusions, the timely hit could help the 29-year-old catcher build momentum during an uneven start to the year after limited action in the World Baseball Classic following his monster 2025 campaign in which he eclipsed 60 homeruns and finished just shy of an AL MVP.

Bassitt (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Rangers, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three in 4.1 innings pitched.

All of the damage done against Bassitt came in the first two innings of his Orioles tenure. He allowed one run in the first inning on a fielder's choice, but the crushing inning was the second. Three hits, two walks and a sacrifice fly contributed to the Rangers plating three runs in the frame and jumping out to a 4-0 lead that the Orioles would not be able to recover from. The 37-year-old will look to find better success in his next outing, scheduled for Sunday against the Pirates.

Alexander earned the save in Monday's 5-2 win over the Orioles, tossing a clean ninth inning while striking out two.

The 31-year-old has converted both of the chances he's had for saves early on in the season. Both Robert Garcia and Chris Martin had pitched two days in a row entering Monday, so Alexander was called upon to record the last three outs in the ninth and was razor sharp, striking out two batters in a three up, three down ninth. The Rangers' closer situation was unsettled coming into the season, and while Alexander's usage so far suggests he's third in the pecking order for high-leverage usage, continued success when he's called upon could change the equation.

Castillo did not factor into the decision Monday against the Yankees, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings.

Castillo was in complete control, holding the Yankees hitless until the fourth inning and limiting them to just two hits overall. The right-hander generated 17 whiffs and leaned heavily on his primary arsenal, throwing 87 of his 95 pitches as either a fastball or slider. Castillo had hitters fooled all night, but his final strikeout was a milestone moment, as he got Aaron Judge to swing through an inside breaking ball for his 1,500th career strikeout before exiting after the sixth inning. The 33-year-old will look to replicate Monday's success in his next scheduled start against the Angels.