Category: MLB

Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:

Here’s the Royals’ lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

It’s the unofficial Star Wars celebration day out there and while I don’t condone it, I recognize that I’m in the minority. For one thing, I’m a Star Trek guy. And the other thing is I think it’s incredibly dumb to use a speech impairment as the basis for celebration. Also, what are we celebrating? Star Wars surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds pop culture together! Having said that, people like Star Wars and they like the San Francisco Giants, and since the Giants will be celebrating Star Wars on May 24th, let’s put these two properties together.

There was a time before the season started when the Giants were seen as being capable of great things — heroes, really, kind of like the Jedi, that ancient sect of space monks who battle with laser swords and help aid the rise of fascism a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. So, for the moment, let’s pretend that the team isn’t cooked and celebrate them by matching each hitter with a Jedi.

Matt Chapman is Obi-Wan Kenobi

It’s the easy call. The veteran with a lot of miles and a lot of history trying to lead by example. His first season as a Giant was a lot like Obi-Wan’s role in Star Wars, impressing with powers and hinting at just enough magic and mystery to seem almost larger than life. Last year? Well, it was his Revenge of the Sith: he was good in his part of the story, but he wasn’t around for the whole thing and it ended in tragedy for him (Bob Melvin’s departure). This year, it’s the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Just awful.

Rafael Devers is Mace Windu

Powerful, confident, but then all of a sudden gets absolutely merc’d by a decrepit old man — in Mace Windu’s case, Emperor Palpatine fully unleashing his Sith powers. In this case, Father Time.

Casey Schmitt is Luke Skywalker

A new hope? He’s far from being a whiny farm boy, but he is being mentored by Matt Chapman / Obi-Wan Kenobi… who may not be all that great of a teacher? It remains to be seen, but the kid who was just trying to escape and experience something bigger sure has hit his way into that reality.

Patrick Bailey is Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren

A side-hopping, hard to pin down figure with a degree of charisma. Will he follow in his father’s (Buster Posey’s) footsteps by being the next great Giants catcher, or will he The Force Awakens his dad to forge his own path? It’s hard to imagine Patrick Bailey hurting anybody since he can’t even hurt a baseball thrown across home plate, but he’s on the path to betraying all the trust and investment of time the team is putting into him — just like Kylo Ren. They also have distinct headgear.

Bandana and wannabe Darth Vader mask — 100% equivalent, right?

Luis Arraez is Yoda

The clubhouse guru, but not about The Force. About hitting: “Do [hit] or do not [hit]. There is no try.”

Daniel Susac is Rey Palpatine-Skywalker

Hardly a “nobody from nowhere,” the Susac name is a respected one in the halls of the Giants and he has brought a dynamic perspective to what had become a tired battle between good and evil (Giants hitters vs. major league pitching). Most importantly, as the backup catcher, he is in a Force dyad with Patrick Bailey/Ben Solo, just like how the two characters were in The Last Jedi.

Harrison Bader is Count Dooku

I don’t entirely get Count Dooku’s “deal,” but he plays good defense, I’d say.

Christian Koss is Qui-Gon Jinn

Look, not all of these comparisons are going to be winners, and all I really remember about Q-GJ is that he got cut in half by Darth Maul. I find his lack of playing time to be a neat comparison.

Willy Adames is Anakin Skywalker

He was the Chosen One! The largest contract in team history (before the Devers trade) equals… the most powerful Force user ever known? Sure, why not? And yet here he is, having another terrible start to the season, tempted by the dark side, his smiling face transformed into a frown. A total turn to the Dark Side? Hard to say, but that hitting line is sure making the argument.

Heliot Ramos is Ahsoka Tano

I can think of few better comps for Ramos than this outcast Jedi who was once the apprentice to Anakin Skywalker. Now, Willy Adames hasn’t done the full turn (yet), but Ramos was on the outs with the Jedi order (the Giants’ front office) until he worked his Force off to become an All-Star hitter for a time.

Jung Hoo Lee is Leia Organa

Lee coming over from Korea gives him the outsider sheen needed to pull off a Leia Organa comp. Also, Grandson of the Wind might as well be Grandson of The Force. Leia was a Force-sensitive person who maybe could’ve been a Jedi if things had gone differently, instead, she wields her power differently, much like how JHL’s KBO experience gives him a different perspective on major league pitching.

Drew Gilbert is Grogu

This seems pretty obvious, right? The loud, little mascot who can steal the spotlight every so often and who at least one person (Tony Vitello) would die for.

So the Jays don’t appear to be using an opener today, it is Eric Lauer right from the first pitch. Let’s have a good start Eric.

And there is no Heineman or Springer. Springer is supposed to be available off the bench and he’s supposed to be starting tomorrow. We’ll see I guess. That ball off the foot looked really bad when it happened.

Heineman…..I don’t know. Valenzuela has looked ok offensively. He seems like a fine defensive catcher. If it were me choosing who to keep when Kirk comes back, I’d lean towards him. But then lots can happen between now and then.

I like Okamoto in the two spot. It is nice to see we’ve gotten past that idea that the power hitter has to bat fourth. I’d like Okamoto getting more at bats. And I’m good with Yohendrick Pinango leading off. He’s having good at bats. When Barger comes back, it will be interesting to see what the Jays do. And it will be interesting when Lukes is really to come back.

But then, let’s see if Yohendrick is still hitting great when that time comes. These things tend to work themselves out.

Go Jays Go.

It’s been an emotional day for the Yankees and their fans, with the loss of legendary radio announcer John Sterling. Expect plenty of heartfelt tributes for the longtime voice of the club during the game today, as the Yanks send a starting lineup out with only one player who was born before Sterling took over the radio booth — and said Yankee is only in there because of an injury.

Cam Schlittler gets the ball, looking to continue the early run that’s put him atop of most statistical categories in the game. The 25-year-old is is top five across all MLB in fWAR, ERA, FIP, strikeout rate, walk rate, and home run rate. It’s hard to pitch badly if you strike everyone out and never let the ball leave the park. Eventually a few fly balls will get over the wall, but everything else Cam is doing seems to be broadly sustainable. With a chance to deliver a four-game sweep, I expect the kid building a reputation for being a big-game pitcher to have a big game.

Shane Baz goes for Baltimore, acquired in a deal with Tampa that hasn’t exactly started the way you’d want. A 4.50 ERA and the lowest strikeout rate of his young career don’t make you all that excited, but his FIP is three-fourths of a run lower than that ERA, so he may be do for a couple solid outings. This will be his seventh career start against the Yankees, who have touched him to a 6.75 ERA in their previous six meetings.

After bruising his wrist on a pick in the dirt yesterday, Ben Rice is on the bench with Paul Goldschmidt taking over at first. Following his great game yesterday, Jasson Domínguez was an easy pick to slot back in at DH and will bat cleanup.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First pitch: 7:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES | MASN

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, 98 Rock 97.9 FM, WBAL 1090 AM

Online stream: MLB.tv

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

The Orioles will try to win tonight to avoid a four-game sweep and a five-game losing streak. After watching the last four games, it’s hard to get a lot of enthusiasm up for this one, I’ll be honest. I’ve been feeling pretty low about this team of ours. But I also know that if they do win, especially if it’s one of those feel-good wins, my tune will change just like that. That’s the nature of fandom, I guess.

Shane Baz will try to play stopper tonight, and he is coming off of a good start against the Houston Astros. The Astros are also a strong offensive team, and we’ve been told that Baz is capable of ace-like stuff. We haven’t seen it, but Mike Elias thinks a lot of him and I’m dying for him to be proven right.

Unfortunately, the super hot Cam Schlittler is pitching for the Yankees, he of the 1.51 ERA and league-leading WHIP and K/BB. Ugh. At least he’s not a lefty.

Taylor Ward and Tyler O’Neill are both being given the night off tonight, replaced by Colton Cowser in left field and Dylan Beavers in right. Do something, Colton! We want to believe. Coby Mayo also gets the night off; Blaze Alexander will man third base.

Speaking of third base, if you missed it: Jordan Westburg began feeling elbow discomfort when throwing and is being shut down from all baseball activities. This is not surprising to me, but it is a bummer. When will we be allowed to have nice things?

Orioles lineup

Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Adley Rutschman (S) C
Dylan Beavers (L) RF
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Samuel Basallo (L) DH
Leody Taveras (S) CF
Colton Cowser (L) LF
Jeremiah Jackson (R) 2B
Blaze Alexander (R) 3B

Yankees lineup

Trent Grisham (L) CF
Aaron Judge (R) RF
Cody Bellinger (L) LF
Jasson Domínguez (S) DH
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
Austin Wells (L) C
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
José Caballero (R) SS

Let’s go O’s!

You’ve read that right, Sean Murphy has been reinstated from the IL to the Atlanta Braves’ roster after returning from his rehab assignment with the Gwinnett Stripers. This, in turn, led the club to DFA Jonah Heim.

Murphy has seen productive numbers while on rehab, driving in 4 runs, leading the team with 8 hits and gaining a .824 OPS.

This seemed to give the team the green-light to test him back with his teammates on the road.

Mike Yastrzemski is also returning to the lineup, taking over left field while Eli White occupies right.

There are questions surrounding Dominic Smith’s lack of appearance in the outfield for today’s starting roster, but it’ll be interesting to watch this group start with Murphy back to gel with the team.

Though this will be the Mariners’ first time facing Ritchie, the Braves are no stranger to Logan Gilbert. Ozzie Albies specifically has a strong on-base percentage when batting against the righty (1.100), and Gilbert has been infamous for his hittable arsenal as of this year’s start.

He’s looking to this game to turn that around.

The Braves are looking to continue their MLB-leading win percentage after coming off a sweep.
Stay tuned as Ritchie takes the mound in his backyard at 9:40 EDT.

Reinforcements for the first-place Atlanta Braves are continuing to make their way back to the majors.

We saw Spencer Strider make his 2026 debut in yesterday’s Rockies series finale and Raisel Iglesias will be activated off the Injured List tomorrow .

Today, the Braves have provided updates on Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim.

Sean Murphy

Ahead of tonight’s game against the Seattle Mariners, Sean Murphy has been reinstated to the major league club after heating up at the plate in Gwinnett. He’ll bat seventh and catch for SP JR Ritchie.

Jonah Heim has been designated for assignment in the corresponding roster move. We will forever remember you and The Jonah Heim game of May 3, 2026.

Ha-Seong Kim

Per Chad Bishop of the AJC, Kim will move from the Double-A Columbus Clingstones to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. Joyous news on this, the fourth day of AANHPI Month.

In his four games with the Clingstones, the right middle finger tendon is looking alright – Kim was batting .333 (3-for-9) with three runs scored and one stolen base. He’ll join the Stripers on the road as they start a six-game road trip tomorrow night versus the Norfolk Tides.

Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo have been valuable and versatile contributors so far, and Walt Weiss has been making the most with the depth he’s been given. But it’s exciting to think of how much deeper this team can be after Kim returns.

Kim is also itching to get back. Kim spoke to local media after a game with the Clingstones and said through a translator: “I’ve been keeping track of the games when I can. If I can’t watch the full games, I’m watching highlights and the team is hot… it motivates me to prepare myself better to return to the big leagues and contribute.”

We love to hear it.

Go Rays!

Under normal circumstances, talking about the decision to option Anthony Volpe to Triple-A would have been an uncomfortable process for Aaron Boone and the rest of the public-facing Yankees.

After all, they defended Volpe without exception through three full seasons of ups and downs and below-league average performance, insisting he was a more valuable player than the numbers or the eye test or fans’ anxieties concluded, determined to seem certain that he was their shortstop of the future even if he was not playing well in the present.

So that they decided he would not be on their roster now, after months of rehabilitation on his injured shoulder, amounted to a concession of something -- though Boone was careful when explaining what exactly he thought they were admitting.

“It’s acknowledging where we are as a club right now. It doesn’t mean somebody’s better or worse,” Boone said. “I think Anthony is going to have a long career and be a really good player in this league. His next step as a player is gaining that consistency offensively. Even through some of his struggles, I think he’s been a way better player than some of the narratives around him sometimes are.”

Boone’s leg bounced as he continued his defense of Volpe, his body language noticeably stiffening from where it had been earlier in his press conference as he gushed about his memories of the late John Sterling.

Sterling’s passing Monday morning is the reason Boone and others were not talking about Volpe’s demotion under normal circumstances. Most of the afternoon’s questions centered on the man who called every game of so many Yankee careers -- some of which blossomed slowly, some of which fizzled, some of which soared. 

Even a pivotal moment in the career of a player the Yankees long advertised as their shortstop of the future felt less…permanent… than it might otherwise, and it required a quick tone shift from those asked to discuss it.

“That was tough. Anthony’s my guy. I know he’s going to be more motivated than ever to come back here,” Aaron Judge said in an on-field scrum organized primarily so he could talk about Sterling instead. “…Anthony is a big piece of what we’re doing here, for us moving forward. We got to the World Series with him as our shortstop. He had some big moments in the World Series, in that playoff run. So I’m excited to see him come back here.”

But even juxtaposed with the afternoon’s poignant reminder of how long legacies take to write here, the Volpe decision felt like a significant pivot point. Whether it demonstrates increased urgency to win now, private concerns about Volpe’s offensive viability, or both, the decision to stick with Jose Caballero’s dynamic play seemed to suggest that the Yankees are prioritizing current, proven performance over preserving the ego of a player they believe will help them eventually.

“We have to acknowledge first, how well [Caballero] has played. He’s been just a key factor in us getting off to a really good start this year, on both sides of the ball,” Boone said. “…it’s really as simple as that. It doesn’t change how we feel about Anthony, the kind of player we think he is and will be. But in this moment in time, you felt like this was absolutely the right thing to do.”

Caballero has fully seized the starting shortstop job in Volpe’s absence, not just with a .712 OPS well-above his career norm, but also with strong defense and constant pressure on the bases. He's lengthened the Yankees' lineup with a better-than-expected offensive start while also anchoring an increasingly effective running game that has made this year’s offense look as well-rounded as any Boone has overseen.

“We’ve got a good ballclub. It’s good to be urgent. Us as players, man, we’re up there, we’re fighting for our lives every single day. We're trying to win every single ballgame,” Judge said. “So to see it from the management side, where it’s like hey, we’re not gonna mess around here with some moves, we’re gonna do whatever’s best for the team. You appreciate that as a player.”

The reality of Volpe’s demotion is that it likely will not be forever. Jasson Dominguez, for example, endured a disappointing demotion at the end of spring training only to find himself back in the Yankees lineup by May.

First, the move to stick with Caballero suggests the Yankees will play the hot hand when given the chance. Should Caballero cool, he could easily slide into his old utility role to make room for Volpe, who could force the Yankees’ hand with a strong offensive showing in the minors. Secondly, injuries are inevitable, so roster churn is, too.

“If there’s a way to find -- if it’s even him as a utility guy, anything -- just to get himself back up here. Because besides what he can do on the field, he’s a big part of this clubhouse, of this dugout,” Judge said. “He knows all of our swings. All the work we spend in the offseason working together, he knows us inside and out…the guy is a student of the game, so we’re definitely missing him right now, but he’ll be back up here soon.”

Judge, who said he talked to Volpe for a half hour after he got the news Sunday night, floated the other possibility for Volpe’s immediate future: He could, conceivably, start playing somewhere other than shortstop to increase his options for a big-league return.

Over the weekend, Boone was firm in his answers about Volpe’s position, explaining that the 25-year-old was working exclusively at shortstop. Monday, he was less committal.

“We’ll see. Right now, he’s going to play shortstops,” Boone said. “If we have those conversations as the days unfold, we’ll have them. But not right now.”

But the Yankees could find plenty of reasons to experiment with Volpe elsewhere. For example, their Triple-A team already has a prominent shortstop -- top prospect George Lombard Jr., who has played second and third base while primarily serving as a shortstop during his minor league career. Boone said Lombard will continue to move around the infield while Volpe is there. Who knows how the conversations could change in the days to come.

After all, for years, conversations centered around Volpe as a lock. At the moment, the conversations around the Yankees seem more centered around getting the most out of the World Series-capable team that charged through the first month of the season.

“We have a lot of really good players right now competing for real roles and real spots,” Boone said. “I think that competition is ultimately going to be a great thing for us.”

Shohei Ohtani is expected to be back pulling double duty on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros, both starting on the mound at Daikin Park and serving as the designated hitter. He didn’t bat in two of his first five pitching starts, including last Tuesday, as the Dodgers try to find avenues of rest whenever possible for the two-way superstar.

Peter Lambert, the former Colorado Rockies pitcher and product of San Dimas High School, starts the middle game of the series for the Astros. He has a 3.52 ERA in three starts this season, with 19 strikeouts and seven walks in 15 1/3 innings.

The middle game of this series in Houston is the Dodgers’ second game on TBS this season. TBS telecasts are non-exclusive, meaning that this game will also be televised by SportsNet LA. The TBS broadcast will not be available in the teams’ local markets.

Tuesday game info

• Teams: Dodgers at Astros
• Ballpark: Daikin Park, Houston
• Time: 5:10 p.m. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA, TBS
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Detroit Tigers (18-17) vs. Boston Red Sox (13-21)

Time/Place: 6:10 p.m., Comerica Park
SB Nation Site: Over the Monster
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: LHP Tyler Holton (0-1, 5.27 ERA) vs. LHP Payton Tolle (0-1, 3.38 ERA)

On Monday, the Astros Player Development social media accounts announced the Astros minor league players of the month for April.

Pitcher – Brandon McPherson

McPherson was signed by the Astros as an undrafted free agent on June 6, 2025, from Northern Illinois University. McPherson was solid in April posting a 3.24 ERA with Double A Corpus Christi. He also recorded 24 strikeouts to just three walks in four starts during the month. For the minor league season, the right-handed pitcher has recorded a 2.95 ERA with 28 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP in five starts with Double A Corpus Christi.

Hitter – Jason Schiavone

Schiavone was selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft from James Madison. Schiavone hit .233 with three doubles, nine home runs, 23 RBI, 22 walks, seven stolen bases and a 1.050 OPS in 20 games in April with High-A Asheville. For the season, he’s batting .226 with 11 HR, 27 RBI, 25 walks, eight stolen bases and a 1.055 OPS.

The Red Sox’s game at the Tigers has been moved to 6:10 p.m. because of expected thunder in the area, but not that from the Sox’s bats. And while it’s theoretically nice that they don’t have to face the two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner in Tarik Skubal, it’s a bummer that he’s hurt but then again, who isnt? Besides Payton Tolle, that is, who starts for the Sox, and lefty Tyler Holton, who starts for Detroit. 

Jarren Duran’s leading off despite Holton being a southpaw and Mina Kimes offering her services, and is followed, in order, by eight other members of the team, listed below:

The Tigers have also fielded a lineup, surprisingly. I’ve used this bit before, and it’s helpful because I don’t need to check if it varies wildly from yesterday’s or whatever, as I can feign coolness instead of admitting ignorance. Given how the Sox have been playing, what does it even matter tho?

If the Sox are gonna turn this thing around, they could take a cue from Max Verstappen. Look at this shit! How does one do this? And can he pitch?

The last week has been a difficult one for the San Diego Padres. Perhaps the first such week since Opening Week. The Friars dropped five of their last eight contests, but they managed to stave off a sweep with yesterday’s win over the Chicago White Sox.

It was exactly what San Diego needed. Newcomer Griffin Canning impressed in his 2026 debut, pitching five innings of one-run ball. He made only one mistake, giving up a home run to Drew Romo in the third inning. But Canning did exactly what the Friars needed him to, striking out seven and keeping San Diego in the game.

The offense came to life (somewhat) with a three-run fourth inning before Chicago tied the game with a two-run shot against Adrian Morejon. The lefty struck out the side in the sixth inning but struggled to open the seventh before recording three outs.

From there Jason Adam pitched the eighth, setting up a go-ahead swinging bunt from Xander Bogaerts. It was the only run the Padres would need as Mason Miller slammed the door with three strikeouts in the ninth.

San Diego now turns to San Francisco to face the division-rival Giants for the first series of their road trip. But, in order to do that, the Friars’ offense will need to wake up just a little bit more.

Taking the mound

Trevor McDonald (SF) v. Randy Vásquez (SD)

McDonald is making his 2026 debut for the Giants. The No. 16 prospect in San Francisco’s system hasn’t been particularly solid. He was just optioned back to Triple-A on Friday but was called back up to start today’s game.

How deep McDonald can go (or will be allowed to go) is the bigger question. He was in the Giants’ bullpen as the 27th man but was never called upon. It remains to be seen what San Francisco expects from the career 3.88 ERA (minor leagues) starter.

Vásquez, on the other hand, has been phenomenal for the Friars. He was supposed to start Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox but was swapped in favor of Canning in order to give him his debut start in the more friendly confines of Petco Park.

The righty owns a 2.94 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 33 2/3 innings. It’s Vásquez’s first time ever facing the Giants after not starting against them in last month’s series. San Diego is betting that San Francisco will be hard pressed to figure out Vásquez (like most other clubs this season).

Batter up!

With the righty McDonald on the mound, the Padres’ lineup feels pretty well-set. But Miguel Andujar has been raking lately.

Despite being signed to help solve the Friars’ problems against left-handed pitching, he has produced better against righties, putting up a .364/.386/.527 slash line compared to a .208/.269/.417 mark. That, as well as his two homers across the last seven games, could propel him into tonight’s lineup.

1. Ramón Laureano, LF
2. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
3. Jackson Merrill, CF
4. Manny Machado, 3B
5. Xander Bogaerts, SS
6. Miguel Andujar, DH
7. Gavin Sheets, 1B
8. Luis Campusano, C
9. Jake Cronenworth, 2B

Tatis got an off day in yesterday’s finale which means he’ll be back for tonight’s series opener. In spite of the fact he’s still without a home run in 2026, Tatis has had a hot bat lately with a .296 batting average in his last seven games. And — seriously — he’s got to get one soon… right?

Relief corps

The Padres used their three high-leverage pitchers to secure Sunday’s win. Adam, Morejon and Miller covered four innings, meaning they’re likely out for the series opener. That being said, don’t count Miller out if the Friars have a narrow lead in the ninth.

But that leaves Jeremiah Estrada, Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez. Hart has been the least used in recent memory, so he’ll likely be the first one out of the ‘pen first after Vásquez exits.

The San Diego bullpen has been off lately, moving from third place to 13th in ERA across MLB with a 4.00 mark. They’ll need to turn that around soon if they hope to regain their status as an elite group.