MLB Player News

Alcantara had faced the minimum through three scoreless innings before giving up three runs on three hits and two walks before recording an out in the fourth. Two hits and a walk in the sixth made it four runs for the Nationals before Alcantara’s day was done 87 pitches. It wasn’t the sharpest day for the 29-year-old right-hander as he walked four and struck out just one batter. Miami did give him the run support to come away with the win. He’ll take on the Diamondbacks in Miami on Thursday.

The game was delayed after the seventh concluded and never resumed. It’s yet another solid outing for Smith, and the fact that the White Sox were able to get him in the Rule 5 draft just adds to the impressiveness. The 25-year-old scattered four hits with one walk, and he generated 12 swings and misses over his 82 offerings. Smith is a tough sell as a fantasy hurler because he plays on the White Sox and he isn’t going to get super deep into games, but he’s worthy of keeping an eye on. He’ll try and keep the good run going against the Brewers next week.

It’s fitting that the White Sox’s first save in 25 games of the year came from a pitcher who had no idea he’d be in line for one. It was actually the first time this season that Eisert entered with a lead in a non-blowout situation; his previous eight appearances had seen him enter with the White Sox behind six times and then ahead by nine and 10 runs in the other two. He has a 4.76 ERA in 11 1/3 innings. The White Sox bullpen should continue to be avoided in fantasy leagues.

Paddack was able to strike out five, but he issued four walks and threw just 57 of his 99 pitches for strikes. The right-hander issued one of those free passes with the bases loaded in the fourth, and his other run allowed came on a solo homer by Lenyn Sosa. Paddack wasn’t horrible, but it’s fair to say he was fortunate to limit the damage to just two runs, and also fortunate to be facing the White Sox. He shouldn’t be started against the Guardians next week.

Vargas’s first at-bat produced a 347-foot flyout that would have been a homer in three ballparks. The actual homer in the sixth left no room for doubt, traveling a projected 422 feet. His first homer came in his 22nd game and 86th at-bat of the season. If he goes that long without another, one imagines he’s not going to hang around in the starting lineup.

The Twins are probably going to get Royce Lewis back next week and Luke Keaschall certainly seems poised to stick around after that happens, so Lee and Edouard Julien are back jockeying for position. At this point, Lee would seem to have the clear edge on Julien; he’s the superior defender and he’s posted a .721 OPS in 10 games since coming off the IL, compared to .611 in 22 games for Julien. Julien, though, would still seem to be the better bet against right-handed pitching going forward. The Twins figure to keep both on the roster initially after Lewis returns; it’s just a matter of who is going to get more playing time.

The 33-year-old slugger went 2-for-3 with a double and drew a walk as the Royals triumphed over the Rockies in the first game on Thursday, but he’ll get a breather for the second ballgame. Mark Canha will start in his place in right field and bat seventh for the Royals against rookie right-hander Chase Dollander.

It’s the same issue that shelved O’Neill last week. There’s a chance that the neck issue is playing a role in his struggles at the plate, as he’s slashing a woeful .215/.284/.385 on the season with just two homers, 10 RBI and a 21/5 K/BB ratio in 74 plate appearances. The Orioles may be better served giving him a short stint on the injured list to get the issue resolved rather than attempting to play through it.

Woo allowed three hits, walked two and struck out eight. He’s gone six or seven innings in all five starts to date, opening up 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA in the process, and he’s due to face the Angels next week.

Muñoz has allowed just five hits in 13 scoreless innings this season and none in his last five appearances. He’s 9-for-9 saving games. Since he has now worked on back-to-back days, he will probably be unavailable Friday. Collin Snider could be the top candidate to fill in should a save opportunity arise.

Crochet struck out nine, but he also walked five, and it took him a season-high 110 pitches to get his 15 outs. He allowed as many earned runs today as in his first five starts combined. Crochet will take a 2-2 record and a 1.95 ERA into his next start in Toronto.