MLB Player News

Cole threw a 50-pitch live batting practice session at the Yankees spring training facility on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, another former Pirates’ right-hander, Jameson Taillon, will toe the rubber against their former organization. With rain in the forecast, it’s unclear how for he’ll go in this one, but he’s still scheduled to start the exhibition contest. Jhoulys Chacin, Luis Cessa, Brooks Kriske and Adam Warren also slated to pitch this afternoon.

Rice did his damage in the third inning, launching an 0-2 splitter from Yoshinobu Yamamoto for a go-ahead 425-foot (107.4 mph EV) two-run blast that gave the Yankees a lead they would never relinquish. The 26-year-old has been a strong source of production in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup this season, slashing .250/.340/.535 with 12 long balls, 25 RBI and a pair of stolen bases.

The 36-year-old infielder led off the second inning with a single off of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, advanced to second on a passed ball and to third on a ground out, but the Yankees couldn’t cash him in. He then delivered an RBI single in the fifth inning that extended the Bombers’ lead to 5-1. LeMahieu also singled to right off of Noah Davis in the seventh. LeMahieu also delivered a run-scoring double in the ninth inning to cap off the Yankees’ scoring in the game. With the four-hit attack, he’s now hitting .239/.314/.326 with one homer, five RBI and a 12/5 K/BB ratio in 51 plate appearances since returning from the injured list.

Bellinger came in as a pinch-hitter for the injured Jasson Dominguez in the sixth inning and was promptly hit by a pitch. He then worked Chris Stratton for a walk to open the ninth inning, stole second base and raced around to score on an RBI double off the bat of DJ LeMahieu. On the season, the dynamic 29-year-old is now hitting .253/.330/.443 with eight homers, 32 RBI and five stolen bases.

The 33-year-old southpaw befuddled the Dodgers’ hitters throughout the night, racking up five strikeouts in the dominant performance. The only blemish on his night came on a solo homer off the bat of Tommy Edman in the second inning. Yarbrough racked up 17 whiffs on 93 pitches on the night — seven of those on his sweeper — while registering a CSW of 33 percent. Now 3-0 on the season, he’ll carry an impressive 2.83 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 40/11 K/BB ratio (41 1/3 innings) into Saturday’s divisional showdown against the Red Sox.

Muncy tagged right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga for a 403-foot (104.9 mph EV) solo shot in the seventh inning that pulled the Dodgers to within three runs at 6-3. That would be as close as they would get. The 34-year-old slugger is now slashing .227/.346/.403 with seven homers and 32 RBI on the season and he has started to look like the Muncy of old in recent weeks.

The right-hander also issued three free passes in the ballgame while recording only two strikeouts. The Yankees scratched out a run against him in the opening inning then tacked on three more in the third inning — including a two-run blast off the bat of Ben Rice. Yamamoto got just eight swings and misses on 96 pitches on the evening, registering an underwhelming CSW of only 22 percent. He’ll attempt to bounce back as he carries a stellar 2.39 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 77/23 K/BB ratio (67 2/3 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

The 22-year-old outfielder suffered the injury while stealing second base in the fifth inning. He stayed in the game for another inning defensively, but was ultimately lifted when his spot in the batting order came around again. It doesn’t sound like anything too serious, but he’ll probably undergo imaging just to be on the safe side. Stay tuned as the Yankees should have an update on his status after the game.

Machado opened the scoring in the ballgame with a 396-foot (106.2 mph EV) solo shot off of Andrew Heaney in the opening inning. The 32-year-old third baseman then delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly during a four-run rally in the seventh inning that proved to be the difference in the ballgame. With his 1-for-3 night, Machado is now hitting a robust .308/.373/.488 with seven homers, 27 RBI and seven stolen bases (in nine attempts) through his first 57 contests.

Arraez lined a one-out double into left field off of Andrew Heaney in the sixth inning and came around to score on an RBI double off the bat of Jackson Merrill. He then chipped in an RBI single in the seventh inning that tied the game at 4-4. He has performed about as expected for the Padres this season, hitting .289/.321/.417 with three homers, 21 RBI and a pair of stolen bases through his first 222 plate appearances.

Suarez didn’t give the Pirates any sort of hope in the ninth inning as he got Endy Rodriguez on a fly ball to right and then struck out Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oneil Cruz in succession to end the ballgame. He has been among the most dependable closers in all of baseball this season, converting 19 of his 21 save chances while posting a minuscule 2.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and a 28/8 K/BB ratio across 25 1/3 innings of work.