MLB Player News

Keller traded zeroes with Reds ace Hunter Greene during Wednesday afternoon’s matinee at PNC Park, limiting Cincinnati’s injury-depleted lineup to just two hits and a pair of walks over seven nearly-flawless frames. He generated only nine swinging strikes, but consistently filled up the strike zone, finishing with a robust 34 percent CSW. The 28-year-old righty has been impressive of late, surrendering three earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine outings since April 30. He’ll bring a pristine 3.11 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 85/24 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings (15 starts) into a rematch on Tuesday against the Pirates at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

“Matty is still working on delivery,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s still working on execution. There are plenty of things that we still want him to do.” One of those things is likely getting left-handed hitters out. Between MLB and Triple-A action combined, left-handed hitters are hitting .304 off Manning with a .893 OPS. The 26-year-old has a 4.88 ERA with 12 walks and 23 strikeouts across 27⅔ innings in five appearances for the Tigers this season and a 5.68 ERA with 13 walks and 42 strikeouts across 38 innings in eight games for the Mud Hens. “We also want the guys down in Triple-A to not assume, as well,” said Hinch. “You gotta give opportunity to guys that you feel good about. It’s not just one person because we’re used to it. He’s still got to earn his way like everybody else.” It sounds like Manning still has work to do before he earns another chance.

Baty is now 23-for-65 (.354 batting average) with a 1.188 OPS and eight home runs since being demoted on May 31. While Mark Vientos has emerged as the team’s top third baseman, Baty has been taking reps at second base and could prove a viable pivot option for the Mets if Jeff McNeil continues to struggle. Nothing is imminent and Baty has hit Triple-A pitching well before, but if he can showcase solid defense at second base, he could become a real option.

With the bases loaded in the second inning, Miranda put the Twins on top with a bases-clearing double off of Ryne Nelson to bring in three runs. He knocked a base hit in the third, then doubled once again in the fifth before scoring on a home run by Willi Castro. Miranda walked in the ninth to reach for the fourth time. The 25-year-old third baseman is slashing .293/.339/.495 with eight homers and 33 RBI across 224 plate appearances.

After getting hit by a pitch in the second inning, Castro led off the fourth with a double before scoring on a double by Trevor Larnach. Castro then took Brandon Hughes deep for a two-run homer in the fifth to extend the Twins lead. The versatile 27-year-old is slashing a solid .274/.359/.455 with seven homers, 47 runs scored, 26 RBI, and eight steals across 315 plate appearances.

Gurriel Jr. drove in two of the D-Backs’ three runs against the Twins, starting with a triple in the fourth to bring in the first run of the game for Arizona. With a runner on third in the sixth inning, he drove in a second run with a sacrifice fly. The 30-year-old outfielder is hitting .260/.293/.409 with 10 homers and 45 RBI across 310 plate appearances.

Woods Richardson cruised through three scoreless innings before the Diamondbacks brought a run in on a double by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the fourth. A walk and a double in the sixth put two runners in scoring position in the sixth. Woods Richardson tossed a wild pitch that brought in a run and moved a runner to third before Gurriel Jr. drove in another run on a sacrifice fly. Woods Richardson struck out four in the win. The 23-year-old right-hander has posted a strong 3.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 56/19 K/BB ratio across 66 innings.

After a scoreless first inning, Nelson loaded the bases with two singles and a hit batter before Jose Miranda cleared them all with a double to bring in three runs. Two more hits and a sacrifice fly plated a fourth run for Minnesota in the third. Nelson would allow two more runs to score in the fourth before he was relieved with two outs. The 26-year-old right-hander ends the day with a 5.69 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and a 46/18 K/BB ratio across 68 innings. He’s in line for a start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Matos was recalled after Mike Yastrzemski hit the injured list last week. He’s collected at least one hit in all four starts, including a solo homer in the fifth inning off of Drew Smyly on Wednesday. The 22-year-old outfielder is slashing .253/.272/.374 with three homers and 21 RBI across 103 plate appearances. Given his bat-to-ball skills and improved hard-hit rate, he should get a chance to continue improving on his .253 BABIP and could be relevant in five-outfielder leagues.

With a runner on base in the second inning, Conforto took Hayden Wesneski deep to right center field for a two-run shot to put the Giants on the board. It was Conforto’s ninth homer of the season and only his second in June. The 31-year-old outfielder is slashing .232/.286/.415 with 23 runs scored and 29 RBI across 224 plate appearances.

Villar got a chance with the big league club after slugging 12 homers across 58 Triple-A games. He took Hayden Wesneski deep for a solo homer in the second inning for his first homer of the season. The 27-year-old first baseman will likely see sporadic playing time with too much of a volatile profile to garner any mixed-league relevance.