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Baseball Player News

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Tyler Freeman Tyler Freeman Absent from lineup Thu, May 2, 2024, 3:25 PM Freeman is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Houston. Analysis: In a 1-for-14 stretch at the plate over his last four contests, Freeman will take a seat in the series finale. Gabriel Arias will occupy center field for the Guardians on Thursday.
Julio Urias Julio Urias Enters no contest plea Thu, May 2, 2024, 3:19 PM Urias pleaded no contest Wednesday to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge related to his Sept. 3 arrest in Los Angeles on suspicion of domestic violence, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: As a result of the no contest plea, Urias had his four other misdemeanor charges stemming from the arrest dismissed. He was placed on 36 months of summary probation and ordered to complete 30 days of community labor, as well as a year-long domestic violence counseling course. Additionally, the 27-year-old left-hander must pay a domestic violence fund fee, not possess any weapons, not use any force or violence, pay restitution to the victim and abide by a protective order. Currently a free agent after his contract with the Dodgers expired following the 2023 season, Urias isn't yet facing discipline from Major League Baseball, though the league launched its own investigation into the Sept. 3 arrest that could be completed soon now that a resolution to Urias' legal situation has been reached. Urias has previously served a suspension related to MLB's domestic violence policy, as he was handed a 20-game ban in August 2019 for an incident that occurred earlier that year.
Nathan Eovaldi Nathan Eovaldi Exits with groin injury Thu, May 2, 2024, 3:06 PM Eovaldi was removed from his start Thursday against the Nationals with right groin tightness, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Analysis: Eovaldi didn't look comfortable on the mound after making a pitch in the sixth inning, prompting a visit from the Rangers' training staff and his eventual removal. The severity of the veteran righty's injury remains unknown, but the team may provide more information after Thursday's game. Eovaldi threw 5.1 shutout innings while striking out eight batters before his early exit.
Braxton Garrett Braxton Garrett Five scoreless in rehab start Thu, May 2, 2024, 1:55 PM Garrett (shoulder) allowed one hit and three walks over five scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday. Analysis: Garrett struck out three batters, got his pitch count up to 61 and averaged 90.7 mph with his sinker, which is right in line with his normal velocity. It should be his final tune-up before his season debut with the Marlins, which is tentatively slated for Monday against the Dodgers. Garrett has been sidelined with a left shoulder impingement and more recently went through a "dead arm" phase.
Sixto Sanchez Sixto Sanchez Draws another start Sunday Thu, May 2, 2024, 1:37 PM Sanchez is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the Athletics in Oakland, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Sanchez will be making his third straight turn through the Miami rotation, though he should be more stretched out for a traditional starting role Sunday after covering 2.2 and four innings in his first two outings upon moving from the bullpen. He's been hit hard while taking no-decisions against Atlanta and Colorado, giving up eight earned runs on 12 hits and one walk between those starts. With Braxton Garrett (shoulder) likely trending toward a return from the 15-day injured list early next week, Sanchez could move back to the bullpen following Sunday's outing.
Deivi Garcia Deivi Garcia Outrighted to Triple-A Thu, May 2, 2024, 1:04 PM Garcia cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. Analysis: Garcia was DFA'd on Sunday after accumulating a 7.07 ERA and 1.93 WHIP across 14 innings to begin the season. He'll remain in the White Sox organization, but a return to the 40-man roster will likely depend on his ability to turn things around in the minors.
Jon Berti Jon Berti Resumes rehab assignment Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:49 PM Berti (groin/back) is back in the lineup with Double-A Somerset on Thursday as he resumes his rehab assignment, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports. Analysis: Berti couldn't play Wednesday due to a back issue but is back in there following a one-day absence. He's coming back from a groin strain and should rejoin the Yankees within the next few days.
Nick Pivetta Nick Pivetta Could return next week Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:43 PM Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Pivetta (elbow) could rejoin the rotation next week during the team's May 7-8 series in Atlanta, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. Analysis: Pivetta is slated to make a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday and it sounds like that should be the only one his asked to make before he rejoins the Red Sox' rotation. The right-hander has been on the shelf since early April with a right elbow flexor strain. Pivetta was excellent before getting hurt, allowing just one run with a 13:1 K:BB over 11 frames in his first two starts.
Brayan Bello Brayan Bello Making rehab start Tuesday Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:37 PM Bello (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. Analysis: Bello resumed mound work this week as he comes back from right lat tightness and has now been cleared for game action. He's missed just two weeks of action, so Bello will probably need just the one rehab start if all goes well. That sets him up to return as soon as May 12 against the Nationals.
Mookie Betts Mookie Betts Collects three hits Wednesday Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:33 PM Betts went 3-for-5 with two RBI against the Diamondbacks in Wednesday's 8-0 victory. Analysis: Betts hasn't homered over his past 17 games, but he continues to be productive, collecting seven multi-hit efforts over that stretch while slashing .406/.481/.536. The move to shortstop this season hasn't impacted the All-Star's offensive production, as Betts is leading MLB in hits (49) and OBP (.481) while tying for first in runs (29) and walks (26). Betts' 1.104 OPS also leads all major-leaguers.
Will Smith Will Smith Continues power surge Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:28 PM Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Wednesday in an 8-0 win over Arizona. Analysis: Smith hit one of two homers in the game for Los Angeles, taking Jordan Montgomery deep to left field for a fifth-inning solo shot. The All-Star catcher went deep just once over his first 23 games of the season but has picked up the power since, swatting three long balls over his past five contests. Smith has complemented his four homers on the campaign with a .355/.395/.555 slash line, 24 RBI and 18 runs over 124 plate appearances.
Tyler Wade Tyler Wade Swipes fifth bag Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:23 PM Wade went 1-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 victory against the Reds. Analysis: Wade got a start at second base in place of the resting Xander Bogaerts and scored two of San Diego's six runs. The veteran began the campaign logging regular time at third base with Manny Machado relegated to DH duties due to offseason shoulder surgery, but Machado has since returned to playing the field, cutting into both Wade's and Eguy Rosario's playing time. Wade is batting just .230 over 71 plate appearances, but he's stolen five bags and posted a useful 11.6 percent walk rate.
Jurickson Profar Jurickson Profar Goes 4-for-4 on Wednesday Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:18 PM Profar went 4-for-4 with a run and two RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win against Cincinnati. Analysis: Profar recorded his first four-hit game of the campaign and his third multi-hit performance over his past four contests. He's thrived since moving into the leadoff spot April 28, going 10-for-16 with a homer, three runs and three RBI over the four-game stretch. Profar is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak during which he is batting an even .500 (15-for-30), lifting his season average to .342.
Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Three hits in extra-inning win Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:01 PM Kwan went 3-for-5 with a triple, a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Astros. Analysis: Kwan's RBI triple in the fifth inning gave the Guardians a 2-0 lead, and he plated the decisive run with a double in the 10th. He ended up a home run short of the cycle in Wednesday's strong performance. The leadoff hitter has gone 11-for-28 (.393) during his seven-game hitting streak, and he's slashing an excellent .360/.403/.512 with three homers, 11 RBI, 27 runs scored, three stolen bases, six doubles and two triples over 29 contests this season.
Esteury Ruiz Esteury Ruiz Makes impact as pinch runner Thu, May 2, 2024, 12:01 PM Ruiz entered Wednesday's win over the Pirates as a pinch runner in the bottom of the eighth inning, recording a stolen base and subsequently scoring a run. Analysis: The speedy outfielder offered a spark off the bench after being tasked with running for Abraham Toro, swiping second base and subsequently coming home on Kyle McCann's single. The steal was only Ruiz's fourth in 16 games this season, but his second in the last three contests. The 25-year-old has also shown a welcome increase in pop early in the campaign, as he sports an impressive .861 OPS thanks in large part to having laced five of his nine hits for extra bases.
Cade Smith Cade Smith Grabs first win Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:59 AM Smith (1-0) retired both batters he faced to earn the extra-inning win over the Astros on Wednesday. Analysis: Smith got the last two outs of the ninth inning, and Emmanuel Clase closed out the game in the 10th after the Guardians grabbed the lead. Aside from giving up two runs in back-to-back outings in mid-April, Smith has been one of the Guardians' many successful relievers early in the year after winning a job in the bullpen out of spring training. He's pitched to a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over his first 14.2 major-league innings, and he's added two holds.
Jorge Polanco Jorge Polanco Plates pair in Wednesday's loss Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:55 AM Polanco went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI singles in a loss to Atlanta on Wednesday. Analysis: Polanco's contributions ended up leading to the only runs of the afternoon for the Mariners, who were otherwise stymied by Chris Sale and a quartet of relievers. Despite the lack of extra-base hits, Polanco's performance was impactful from an individual perspective, as it extended his on-base streak to six games and qualified as the veteran's second straight two-RBI tally. Polanco's .181/.317/.295 slash line naturally has no shortage of room for improvement, but perhaps his current surge is the start of a long-awaited breakout in his first Seattle campaign.
Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Provides lone run in loss Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:55 AM Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Tigers. Analysis: Contreras also struck out three times Wednesday, the third consecutive game he's done that. He'll likely be happy to put the Tigers in the rear-view mirror after going 1-for-13 with nine strikeouts during the three-game series in Detroit. That poor stretch has dropped Contreras to a .258/.373/.505 slash line on the year, and he's added five homers, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, eight doubles and a stolen base through 110 plate appearances. Contreras has caught four of the Cardinals' last six games, so it appears he's managing his lingering soreness from a left hand injury fairly well.
Juan Soto Juan Soto Swipes two bags Wednesday Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:37 AM Soto went 1-for-3 with a walk and a pair of stolen bases in Wednesday's 2-0 win against the Orioles. Analysis: Soto made the most of his two times reaching base, swiping a bag after singling in the first inning and another after walking in the sixth. He was also caught trying to steal third following his second theft. Soto tied a career-high mark with 12 stolen bases last season, and he's on pace to surpass that through 32 games this year. The star outfielder has nabbed four thefts so far while adding a .325/.439/.575 slash line, eight home runs, 25 RBI and 22 runs.
Trey Lipscomb Trey Lipscomb Taking seat Thursday Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:32 AM Lipscomb is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rangers. Analysis: Lipscomb had made six straight starts at third base, but he'll give way to Ildemaro Vargas at the hot corner Thursday. The rookie infielder is slashing .267/.325/.320 in 22 contests thus far at the major-league level.