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Joe, who figured to make around $3 million in arbitration, exits after hitting .238/.330/.396 over 888 plate appearances in two seasons with the Pirates. The numbers would have been better if the Pirates had limited him more to playing against southpaws, but they liked to turn to him too often. It seems likely that Billy Cook will take his spot as a first baseman and corner outfielder against lefties.

Another day, another home run for Tucker. This time he took Luis Severino deep for a solo shot in the third inning. It was his fourth consecutive game leaving the yard. The 28-year-old superstar is 12-for-39 (.353) with four homers, five doubles, 11 RBI, and a stolen base through eight contests.

Suzuki got the scoring started for the Cubs, taking Luis Severino deep for a three-run blast to open the game, his second home run of the season. He added a base hit in the third. The 30-year-old outfielder is heating up at the plate with three straight multi-hit efforts.

Rooker answered the Cubs three-run first inning with a two-run blast of his own off Justin Steele to put the Athletics on the board. He then drew a walk to lead off the third and scored on a two-run homer by Shea Langeliers. The 30-year-old slugger could be set for a monster season in the power department if Sutter Health Park is the hitter-friendly environment it’s been through the first couple of games.

After knocking a base hit in the first inning, Langeliers took Justin Steele deep for a two-run shot in the third for his second home run of the season. The 27-year-old catcher is 4-for-18 at the plate to start the season with just four strikeouts. He could lead the catching position at home runs considering the park upgrade moving from Oakland to Sacramento.

Pressly got the call in the ninth to close out the game with a three-run lead. He worked around a leadoff base hit, shutting the door on the A’s for his second save of the season. The 36-year-old right-hander has allowed three runs through four innings with four walks to one strikeout. He’ll need to improve on those numbers if he’s to hold the closer role.

A pair of homers would do all the damage on Steele. He surrendered a two-run blast by Brent Rooker to start the first inning. Shea Langeliers added a two-run shot in the third. The 29-year-old left-hander settled in nicely, pitching into the seventh and falling in line for the win. He struck out six. Steele lines up for a start against the Rangers in Chicago on Monday.

A throwing error and a walk put two runners on for Seiya Suzuki, who took Severino deep for a three-run shot to continue the Cubs offensive barrage early in this one. After a clean second inning, the Cubs brought two more runs in to score in the third, including a solo shot by Kyle Tucker. After letting up a sixth run in the fourth, Severino gave the Athletics two more frames to save the bullpen. The 31-year-old right-hander will look to bounce back when he takes on the Padres in Sacramento on Monday.

Merrill put the Padres on the board with a solo blast off Logan Allen in the fourth inning. He then drew a walk in the sixth and scored on a base hit by Jake Cronenworth. The 21-year-old outfielder has started the season 8-for-20 at the dish with one homer while striking out just three times.

Tatis Jr. didn’t have a hit on the day, but still made an impact on the bases. After drawing a walk in the first, he plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth. The 26-year-old outfielder draw another walk to lead off the seventh and stole second before scoring on an error. Tatis Jr. is up to four steals on the season and has as much fantasy upside as anyone if he can play a full season.

King bounced back nicely in his second start, dominating the Guardians over five scoreless innings. He scattered four baserunners on two hits, a walk, and a hit batter. The 29-year-old right-hander generated 18 whiffs to punch out 11 batters. King is lined up to take on the Athletics in Sacramento on Monday.