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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Heating up in power department Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:24 PM Witt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. Analysis: Although Witt is batting just .250 over 28 at-bats so far in May, he's beginning to heat up in the power department. The All-Star shortstop has two doubles, three homers and nine RBI to go with three walks and two stolen bases over his last seven games. Witt didn't have any long balls in his final 14 outings in April, so he's certainly starting to get back on track when it comes to slugging.
LaMonte Wade Jr. LaMonte Wade Jr. Notches sixth double of 2025 Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:19 PM Wade went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Cubs. Analysis: Wade lined an RBI double into right field off right-hander Ben Brown, driving in the first of two runs in the fourth inning. The lefty-hitting first baseman has shown improvement after a lackluster start to the season, recording at least one hit in four of his last five games. Wade is now slashing .158/.259/.267 with 13 RBI, nine runs scored, eight extra-base hits and a 14:26 BB:K across 117 plate appearances this season.
TJ Friedl TJ Friedl Third career multi-homer game Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:18 PM Friedl went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs and a walk in Wednesday's win over Atlanta. Analysis: It was the third career multi-homer effort by Friedl, who also snapped a 26-game homerless drought in the process. The outfielder has reached base safely in five of his six outings in May, during which he's batting a healthy .261 with three stolen bases, five runs scored and four walks over 23 at-bats in the month. The lefty-hitting Friedl's struggles versus southpaws should continue to inhibit his overall fantasy appeal -- he has a .578 OPS against left-handed pitching -- but he does sport a .784 OPS against righties this season.
Austin Riley Austin Riley Rare stolen base in loss Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:07 PM Riley went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's loss to the Reds. Analysis: Wednesday marked the first stolen base of the campaign and the sixth career steal for the All-Star third baseman. Riley also extended his hitting streak to six games and his on-base streak to 10. Since April 27, Riley is hitting a strong .286 (12-for-42) with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and four runs scored.
Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Pulled with quad tightness Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:05 PM Gimenez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Angels due to right quad tightness. Analysis: The Blue Jays are labelling Gimenez's removal as precautionary, which is a good sign that the infielder isn't dealing with anything too serious. If his quad continues to bother him Thursday, the Jays may give him a day off, but a trip to the injured list doesn't seem imminent.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Next start pushed back Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:02 PM Ryan won't start as scheduled against the Orioles on Thursday due to an illness. Analysis: Bailey Ober will start Thursday's series finale in Ryan's place. The 28-year-old right-hander will presumably look to make his next start once he's feeling better, which could set him up for a date with the Giants over the weekend.
Trea Turner Trea Turner Snaps homerless skid in rout Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:01 PM Turner went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Rays. Analysis: Turner snapped a 24-game homerless skid Wednesday, also registering his sixth multi-hit game in his last nine outings. During this nine-game stretch, the All-Star shortstop has gone a sizzling 18-for-39 (.462) with two doubles, five RBI, nine runs scored and two stolen bases. Turner is now up to 10 multi-hit efforts on the season.
Taijuan Walker Taijuan Walker Closes out blowout victory Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:52 PM Walker picked up the save in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Rays after allowing one hit and no walks in three scoreless innings. He struck out seven. Analysis: It was the first career save for the veteran right-hander, who shut down the Rays on Wednesday with a season-high seven strikeouts. It also marked Walker's first appearance since shifting back to the bullpen following the recent return of Ranger Suarez. Walker will likely continue to fill a bulk-relief role while Philadelphia's rotation is healthy, and he's bouncing back from a dreadful 2024 campaign with a 2.30 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 31.1 innings so far.
Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Secures ninth save Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:44 PM Pagan picked up the save Wednesday against Atlanta after allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two. Analysis: Pagan continues to pull away as Cincinnati's clear-cut closer at the moment. The right-hander has struggled with the long ball at times -- he's yielded three homers over 17.1 innings -- but he still has a 2.65 ERA to go with a sublime 0.63 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB. Pagan has successfully converted nine of his 11 save chances in 2025, and his grip on the closer's role is strengthening while Alexis Diaz resides in the minor leagues.
Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Hangs on for save Wednesday Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:37 PM Estevez picked up the save Wednesday against the White Sox after allowing one run on three hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two. Analysis: It wasn't easy for Estevez, who struggled with his command as 15 of his 21 pitches hit for strikes. The hard-throwing right-hander has still managed to successfully convert his last six save opportunities, which would figure to give him a pretty long leash as Kansas City's closer going forward. Despite posting a shaky 15:9 K:BB this season, Estevez has a 2.65 ERA and 1.24 WHIP and hasn't allowed a single home run over 17 innings.
Dylan Cease Dylan Cease Dealing with forearm cramps Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:20 PM Cease exited his start Wednesday against the Yankees early due to cramping in his right forearm, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Cease said after the game that he had been lobbying to stay in, but the Padres pulled him out of an abundance of caution. The 29-year-old righty added that he passed all the postgame tests administered by the team's training staff and should be good to go for his next start, which lines up for a meeting against the Angels at home.
Romy Gonzalez Romy Gonzalez Battling back stiffness Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:14 PM Gonzalez was pulled from Wednesday's game against the Rangers due to back stiffness, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Manager Alex Cora said after the game that the 28-year-old infielder is fine after his collision with Texas' Josh Smith, though Gonzalez's back stiffened up on him following the incident. The Red Sox may elect to hold him out of Thursday's series finale as a precaution, though he should avoid an extended absence.
Trent Grisham Trent Grisham Belts two-run homer as pinch hitter Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:13 PM Grisham went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 4-3 extra innings win over San Diego. Analysis: Grisham was not in the Yankees' starting lineup, but he was called in for the eighth inning to pinch hit for Jorbit Vivas. The move paid off for the Yankees, with Grisham taking Jason Adam deep to right field for a two-run homer to tie the game at 3-3. Grisham is now up to 10 home runs this season -- surpassing his total during the 2024 regular season -- and he is slashing .292/.376/.640 with 19 runs scored and 20 RBI in 101 plate appearances.
Cody Bellinger Cody Bellinger Breaks up no-no Wednesday Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:10 PM Bellinger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 extra innings win over the Padres. Analysis: The Yankees were kept off the board through the first six innings, but Bellinger changed things with one swing of the bat as he took Dylan Cease (forearm) deep to right field for a solo homer in the seventh. Bellinger is now on a five-game hitting streak, going 6-for-19 with one stolen base, four runs scored, two home runs and four RBI over that span.
Devin Williams Devin Williams Punches out three in win Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:06 PM Williams (1-2) came away with the win in Wednesday's extra innings contest against the Padres, allowing one walk while striking out three batters in a scoreless 10th inning. He did not allow a hit. Analysis: With Luke Weaver being deployed in the ninth inning, the Yankees turned to Williams in the 10th to keep the game tied at 3-3. Williams struck out two of the first three batters he faced, and after loading the bases on a hit-by-pitch, he closed things out with a six-pitch punchout of Xander Bogaerts. Williams has started the season poorly with a 9.24 ERA across 12.2 innings, but Wednesday's performance showed a glimpse of what the 30-year-old is capable of when he's in form.
Walter Pennington Walter Pennington Designated for assignment Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:05 PM The Orioles designated Pennington for assignment Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Pennington has made two appearances in the minors this season, during which he's given up five earned runs in one combined inning between High-A Aberdeen and Triple-A Norfolk. While he continues to work on his mechanics in the minors, he'll give up his spot on the Orioles' 40-man roster for Luis F. Castillo, who was acquired from the Mariners on Wednesday.
Max Fried Max Fried Fans eight in quality start Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:01 PM Fried allowed one run on five hits while striking out eight batters over seven innings but did not factor into the decision against the Padres on Wednesday. He did not issue a walk. Analysis: Fried's lone blemish came in the fourth inning, when he yielded a solo homer to Jackson Merrill, but it was overall another outstanding performance by the 31-year-old southpaw, generating 11 whiffs while tossing 100 pitches (67 strikes). Fried has recorded six-straight quality starts and hasn't given up more than two earned runs across his eight starts this season. He leads the American League with a 1.05 ERA, while his 0.91 WHIP ranks fourth among qualified starters in the AL. Fried is slated to make his next start on the road against the Mariners next week.
Luis F. Castillo Luis F. Castillo Dealt to Baltimore Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:01 PM The Mariners traded Castillo to the Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for cash. Analysis: Castillo was designated for assignment Tuesday to make room on the Mariners' roster for Leody Taveras. Now in the Orioles organization, Castillo will reclaim a spot on the 40-man and presumably report to Triple-A, where he owns a 5.02 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 14.1 innings on the year.
Jackson Merrill Jackson Merrill Drives in two runs Wed, May 7, 2025, 9:54 PM Merrill went went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI single in Wednesday's 4-3 extra innings loss against the Yankees. Analysis: Merrill put the Padres on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run off Max Fried, and the former tacked on another run in the eighth with an RBI single. Merrill has gone 4-for-8 in two games since returning from the injured list Tuesday and has a 1.173 OPS in 50 plate appearances this season.
Adolis Garcia Adolis Garcia Drives in two runs Wednesday Wed, May 7, 2025, 9:32 PM Garcia went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a sacrifice fly in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Rangers. Analysis: Garcia gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, when he took Tanner Houck deep to left field for a solo homer, and the former added another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to center field. Garcia has been hot at the plate as of late, going 6-for-10 with one home run and five RBI over his last three games, and his OPS now sits at .706 in 138 plate appearances.