MLB Player News

He’ll be re-evaluated on Saturday to see if he’s able to play. There’s still no clear timetable on when the 40-year-old slugger could be an option to join the Jays at the big-league level. The club should have an update on his status on Saturday.

This was a whole new Jack Leiter. He has dotting all of his pitches on the edges and challenging the Red Sox hitters with 99 MPH fastballs up in the zone without ever losing his command. There was one inning he truly got into trouble, and rolled a double play ball to get out of it. His new sinker and changeup were on full display and really helped him to stay ahead of left-handed batters specifically. Rafael Devers, the most feared lefty in the Red Sox lineup, struck out in all three of his at-bats against Leiter. The hype train was rolling after spring training and it will be full steam ahead after this fantastic start against a strong lineup. Leiter will have a chance to build on his momentum next time out against the Reds in Cincinnati.

The Rangers went back to Jackson for the save chance just one day after he allowed a three-run home run to Wilyer Abreu in the ninth inning of a tie game on opening day. He rewarded Bruce Bochy’s confidence and looks to have some legitimate job security as the closer in Texas. Run to your waiver wires accordingly.

Heim made the most of his season debut with two long balls. His second one was especially impressive: a no-doubter clubbed an estimated 417 ft deep into the right field stands. He is expected to be in a fairly even timeshare with the newly acquired Kyle Higashioka this season, but can definitely make an impact with the bat when he’s in the lineup.

Devers looked over-matched by Jack Leiter in all three of his at-bats against him in this one and wound up earning the infamous Golden Sombrero. This is just one day after he went 0-for-4 on opening day with three more punch outs. You don’t want to read too far into a star like Devers who’s had two rough games to start the season, but it’s a bit more noteworthy given the drama around his moving to DH full-time. Again, there’s no level of concern with Devers. Yet.

The Rangers backed Houck and his narrow repertoire into a corner in this one. He doesn’t have many wrinkles past his run of the mill sinker-sweeper combo and his command of either wasn’t good enough to consistently miss bats. His splitter bailed him out a handful of times, but all together this mix wasn’t enough against the Rangers’ potent lineup. They put 19 balls in play and hit 12 hard while swinging and missing just eight times. This was not an encouraging start for Houck after how he scuffled through the second half last season. He’ll have a chance to right the ship in his next scheduled start against the Orioles.

The final line looks very good, but it wasn’t necessarily easy for Gausman in this one. He was good at limiting traffic on the basepaths despite the Orioles making him work hard in most at-bats. They rarely chased his splitter and forced him to spot his fastball, which he often did as his command was solid per usual. It was just obviously not a return to his 2023 form. He’s scheduled to face the Nationals in his next start.

Guerrero Jr. was a man on a mission. He hit all three of his balls in play at least 105 MPH including a 112 MPH double that he ripped into the gap in right-center field. He, Bo Bichette, and Anthony Santander each had two hits atop the Blue Jays’ order and never let Charlie Morton get comfortable even for a moment in this one. It seems like he’s picked up exactly where he left off last season and is primed for another tremendous season.

Holliday was a bright spot in a trying night for the Orioles lineup. His homerun traveled 425 ft the opposite way at 109 MPH off the bat. Quite an impressive blast from the 21-year-old phenom who was one of only two hitters in Baltimore’s lineup to get a hit in this one. It’s easy to forget he was the number one overall prospect in baseball just a year ago after how badly he struggled as a rookie. He could be starting a great bounce back season.

Jung suffered the injury while making a diving stop on a ball hit by Alex Bregman in the seventh inning. The 27-year-old slugger has been battling a stiff neck since the final week of the preseason, so this is not a new issue. Josh Smith took over for him at the hot corner on Friday night and would step into a larger workload there if Jung is ultimately forced to miss any time.

Morton evaded trouble over the first few innings despite the Blue Jays making plenty of hard contact. Then, the dam finally broke in the fourth when he let the first four that he faced to reach base and then was pulled after an Alan Roden sacrifice fly. It was a bit of a surprise to see the Orioles go after Morton this offseason after the horrible second half he had last season with the Braves and this start was more of the same struggles. His fastball command was erratic and his curveball didn’t miss many bats. Overall, 12 of the 14 balls in play by the Blue Jays were hard hit and they never seemed uncomfortable in the box against Morton. It will not get easier for him in his next start scheduled against the Red Sox.