MLB Player News

Imai (4-3) earned the win against the Guardians on Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts over six innings.

Imai allowed three runs in the third inning but was otherwise as good as he's been in an Astros uniform, registering a season-high 11 punchouts while not issuing a walk for just the second time in 10 contests. He leaned heavily on his slider, generating a whopping 17 of his 20 swinging strikes on the pitch while throwing it 57 percent of the time. The 28-year-old still owns an ugly 6.15 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB across 41 innings this season and will try to build on this performance in a road matchup against the Tigers next week.

Pena went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's 9-3 win over the Guardians.

Pena was a thorn in the Guardians' side all game, homering in the third and seventh innings before adding an RBI single in the eighth. The shortstop has now recorded multiple hits in three straight games, piling up four extra-base hits and six RBI during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .289/.351/.461 with six home runs, 18 RBI, 28 runs scored and five steals across 168 plate appearances.

Newcomb (triceps) will serve as the opening pitcher during Saturday's game against the Tigers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Newcomb was removed from his last appearance with a triceps contusion after getting hit by a comebacker, but he seems to be feeling well enough to take on his first opening assignment of the season Saturday. The 33-year-old southpaw has been one of the most reliable members of Chicago's bullpen this season, turning in a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 42.1 frames. He could remain in the game for multiple innings before allowing the bullpen to take over.

Soroka was removed from Friday's game against the Twins with posterior left hip discomfort.

Soroka gave up two hits in a scoreless first inning Friday but felt something while warming up for the second and was taken out of the game. It's unclear whether his injury will prevent him from making his next start, but the D-backs should provide an update on his status in the near future.

Pratt went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to Atlanta.

Pratt led off the seventh inning with a single before stealing second base. Unfortunately for Pratt's fantasy managers, the Brewers decided to pinch hit for the rookie with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, turning to lefty Sal Frelick. Through four major-league contests, Pratt has gone 4-for-12 with two RBI, one run scored, two steals and a 1:4 BB:K while starting each game at shortstop.

Perez (6-3) earned the win against the Brewers on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings.

Perez allowed a run in the third inning but was otherwise strong, throwing 53 of 82 pitches for strikes and generating 10 whiffs. It marked just the second quality start of the year for the veteran southpaw, though he has now won four straight while allowing three earned runs or fewer in five consecutive outings. He'll take a 2.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 56:23 K:BB across 68 innings into a road matchup against the Padres next week.

Misiorowski (8-3) took the loss against Atlanta on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over six innings.

Misiorowski opened with five scoreless frames before running into trouble in the sixth, loading the bases and eventually allowing two runs on a two-out single. While it marked the first time since April 25 that he surrendered more than one earned run in an outing, the 24-year-old still extended his quality-start streak to eight games. He'll carry a 1.45 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 138:23 K:BB across 93 innings this season into a home matchup with the Cubs next weekend.

Kiner-Falefa was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners due to left forearm inflammation, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Kiner-Falefa has recorded a base hit in each of his last six games, but he'll have to wait a bit longer for his next chance to extend his streak while he sits out with a forearm issue. Marcelo Mayer -- originally set to sit out due to an illness -- will join the lineup and start at shortstop with Kiner-Falefa on the sidelines.

Iglesias earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Brewers, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in the ninth inning.

Iglesias was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth but ran into trouble, allowing an RBI single to Brice Turang that could have been more damaging had Jackson Chourio not been thrown out at home. Iglesias then rebounded with a three-pitch strikeout to remain a perfect 15-for-15 in save chances this season. Despite allowing a run in two of his past three outings, the 36-year-old owns a stellar 1.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB across 24.1 innings.

Mayer (illness) will start at shortstop and bat seventh Friday against the Mariners, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Mayer was originally left out of the starting nine because of an illness, but he now appears to be feeling better and will get the nod at shortstop, replacing Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm). Mayer's struggles at the plate have continued into June, as he's slashing .172/.265/.310 across 34 plate appearances since the beginning of the month.