MLB Player News

Neither Wetherholt or Mathews have a real shot at breaking camp with the Cardinals, but the pair of top prospects will have an opportunity this spring to leave a lasting impression on the big-league club. Wetherholt was selected seventh overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and looked extremely impressive in his 29-game professional debut at Low-A Palm Beach, posting an .805 OPS with two homers and two steals. Mathews made arguably the biggest jump of any pitching prospect last year, turning an unexpected uptick in fastball velocity into a sparkling 2.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 202/49 K/BB ratio across 143 1/3 innings (26 starts) across four levels to close the year at Triple-A Memphis.

Bailey knocked a base hit in the fifth inning, then stepped in to bat with two runners on in the ninth with the Giants down by two runs. He took the first pitch from Jordan Romano high off the wall in right-center that caromed away from the outfielders as he raced home to walk it off with an inside-the-park homer. The hit would have been a traditional home run in all 29 other parks.

Schwarber was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth and stole second before he was caught stealing third. He then gave the Phillies the lead in the seventh with a two-run blast off Spencer Bivens and added a double in the ninth. The 32-year-old slugger is up to 28 homers and nine steals while slashing .254/.384/.549 with 64 runs scored and 65 RBI across 406 plate appearances.

Romano recorded the final two outs in the eighth to preserve a two-run lead for the Phillies. He returned for the ninth and put two runners on with one out before Patrick Bailey launched a ball that caromed off the top of the wall in right-center as he raced home for an inside-the-park home run to walk it off. Romano hasn’t recorded a save since May 29, with Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering mostly working in a committee for saves.

Ray held the Phillies off the board through five frames before giving up a run on a walk, base hit, and a double in the sixth. He was relieved with two outs in the inning at 99 pitches. He scattered four hits and three walks while collecting five strikeouts. The 33-year-old left-hander will take a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 122/42 K/BB ratio into the All-Star break.

Walker rejoined the Phillies rotation on Tuesday, making his first start since May 30. He gave up a run in the second inning on a walk and two base hits, then tossed two more scoreless innings, ending his day with three strikeouts over four innings. The 32-year-old right-hander will take a 3.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 49/24 K/BB ratio across 58 1/3 innings (nine starts) into the All-Star break.

Butler got the scoring started in exciting fashion, hitting an inside-the-park home run on the first pitch of the game off Didier Fuentes. He then drew a walk in the second inning and scored on a grand slam by Nick Kurtz. Butler then went yard the old fashioned way in the third, taking Jesse Chavez deep for a solo blast. The 24-year-old outfielder is up to 13 homers while slashing .256/.326/.448 with 54 runs scored, 38 RBI, and 14 steals across 384 plate appearances.

Kurtz drew a walk in the first inning and scored on a two-run homer by Max Muncy. With the bases loaded in the second, he slugged a grand slam off Jesse Chavez. Kurtz then added a double in the fourth, ending his day hitting .250/.324/.527 with 14 homers and 39 RBI across 213 plate appearances.

Rooker took Didier Fuentes deep for a two-run blast in the first inning in part of a five-run opening frame. The 30-year-old slugger is up to 19 homers while slashing .271/.347/.492 with 56 runs scored and 50 RBI across 404 plate appearances.

Muncy capped off a five-run first inning with a two-run blast off Didier Fuentes for his third home run in the last week. He later added a base hit in the seventh. The 22-year-old infielder is hitting .222/.268/.404 with eight homers and 22 RBI across 183 plate appearances.

Springs was excellent against the Braves on Tuesday, holding the Braves to one run over six innings on his way to a win. He surrendered the one run on a solo homer by Eli White in the fifth inning. Springs scattered five other hits and struck out two batters. The 32-year-old left-hander will take a 3.92 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and an 81/38 K/BB ratio across 103 1/3 innings into a home start against the Blue Jays on Sunday.