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Astros fans, who do you blame for the slow start to the season?

I’ve written several times that I’m not ready to panic just yet, but I’d be lying if I said there isn’t some real concern. After all, this team currently holds the worst record in Major League Baseball, and the issues aren’t isolated to just one area. The shortcomings are showing up across the board, but none more glaring than with the pitching staff.

Shortstop Carlos Correa recently summed it up well, saying this is a good baseball team playing bad baseball. That sentiment feels accurate. The talent is there. This is still a roster capable of making a playoff run. And despite the rough start, they’re only three games out of first place. It’s early, very early, and there’s plenty of time to right the ship.

Even after being swept by both the Colorado Rockies and the Seattle Mariners, this team leads Major League Baseball in runs scored. The offense has started to click, thanks in large part to a healthy Yordan Alvarez and a resurgent Christian Walker.

But the positives on offense haven’t been enough to outweigh the issues elsewhere.

Injuries have certainly played a role. Key players like Jeremy Peña, Hunter Brown, and Cristian Javier have all missed time. Still, Correa and others in that clubhouse have been adamant about not using injuries as an excuse.

And frankly, the numbers back that up.

The problems start with the pitching staff.

When your bullpen has logged more innings than your starting rotation, that’s a massive red flag. The Astros currently own the worst ERA and WHIP in baseball, the highest opponent batting average, and they lead the league in walks allowed. That’s a recipe for disaster. Add in an eight-game losing streak, the longest since 2013, when the franchise lost over 100 games and it paints a troubling picture.

One of the biggest surprises has been Bryan Abreu.

When Josh Hader went down, there wasn’t much panic. The assumption was simple: Abreu, widely considered one of the best setup men in baseball, would step in and handle closing duties without missing a beat.

Instead, the opposite has happened.

Rather than shutting the door, Abreu has struggled mightily, failing to get out of jams, putting runners on base, giving up home runs, and blowing leads. His ERA ballooned north of 20. For a team already struggling on the mound, that’s been a crushing blow.

So again, the question remains: who’s to blame?

Is it general manager Dana Brown for not doing enough to reinforce the pitching staff, particularly after losing Framber Valdez in free agency, by adding veteran starters?

Do you point the finger at manager Joe Espada? As Correa said, this team is playing bad baseball, and the manager is often the first to take the heat. Then again, in today’s analytically driven game, how much control does the manager really have when front offices heavily influence daily lineup decisions?

Or do you chalk it up to injuries and trust that this team will eventually bounce back?

Maybe the blame falls squarely on the struggles of Abreu and a pitching staff that simply hasn’t delivered.

However you see it, one thing is clear: the Astros have work to do and the clock is already ticking. I mentioned it before, but Lucas Giolito is still out there and could add immediate help to the rotation. Are they willing to add or are we headed towards a fire sale?

So, Astros fans, who do you blame? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

When Mick Abel hit Willson Contreras, the first baseman joined Yandy Diaz, Dillon Dingler, Connor Nordy, and Isaac Paredes to lead all of MLB with four hit by pitches. So far in the season, Contreras has been hit once each by the Reds, Brewers, Cardinals, and Twins.

Contreras has had a mixed bag with HBPs. In his first season with the Cubs he was hit 4 times in 283 plate appearances (76 games) Then 3 times in 428 plate appearances (117 games). Nothing too interesting.

In 2018 he recorded his highest playing time total until the 2025 season: 544 plate appearances (138 games). And he’s up to 13 HBP.

Drops down to 9 the next season in 409 PAs (105 games).

And that’s where the story starts to get interesting.

In 2020, in 225 plate appearances (57 games in the short season) he was hit 14 times!

Then he was hit another 14 times in 2021 in 483 plate appearances (128 games). More than double the games but the same number of times hit.

You can watch these over and over and over. He’s taking pitches off that front arm. Is he leaning into it? I mean, maybe? He does often turn the shoulder but that’s also what you see guys evading the ball do.

We’ll keep going.

In 2022, his final season in Chicago, Contreras was his 24 times. Not leading the league but adding 10 to his previous personal…best. The Brewers hit him 3 times that year. As did the Reds, Pirates, and Cardinals (two in one game!). The only AL team to hit him? The Yankees.

He decides to replace Yadier Molina in St. Louis and spare himself a few HBPs. And he drops to 13 (495 PAs, 125 games) and 12 (358 PSs, 84 games) in his first two years in Missouri. With one season injury-shortened though, you can guess what is coming next. 23 HBP! In 2025, his final season in St. Louis, we see the future Red Sox first baseman take 23 pitches off his body. 563 PAs, 135 games.

Interestingly, in 2025 the Red Sox hit him twice. And he was then traded there. So that at least follows his own choice to sign in St. Louis after taking a few off the “chin.”

Red Sox fans have gotten to see some of the classics too. The teams that hit him a lot — which is partially due to playing time because they’re NL Central teams and his career was spent in the NL Central until 2026. But also The Brewers hit him 4 times last year.

In the opening series there’s a very typical shoulder move.

March 28th, 2026:

Then there was a but of an incident with the Brewers. He really thinks that one was on purpose. Right? He looks mad. And this one is more of the scraper type of HBP than his classic shoulder bruise. This is grazing the hand. Was this avoidable, or at least moreso than others?

April 6th, 2026:

In his return to St. Louis it’s a quick reception and then a pretty solid plunking. And remember he played with Kyle Leahy. This is a former teammate. Famously, the pitcher of St. Louis didn’t care for Contreras as a catcher. But this is a pretty standard (for him) pitch to the arm. He wears an elbow guard. He’s ready for these.

April 11, 2026:

Right now, depending on playing time, Contreras could be heading for a new HBP record. But he’s quickly running out of NL Central games and opponents. The teams that know him. The teams that might really dislike him. So maybe it’ll turn out that his shoulder was a nice target for guys who wanted to settle a grudge. Or is it his OBP secret sauce?

A’s 2, Rangers 1

• One step forward, one step back for the Ranger offense.
• On the heels of an eight run outburst against the hated A’s on Monday, the Rangers followed that up with one run and four hits on Tuesday.
• But first things first. The pitching.
• MacKenzie Gore’s fourth outing for the Texas Rangers was a reminder as to why he was able to be acquired for a quantity-over-quality prospect package. The broadcast has touted Gore as a legitimate top of the rotation starter — Dave Raymond referred to him early in this game as “an ace on a team with two veteran #1s” — and the potential is definitely there.
• But Gore’s inconsistency and spates of wildness have held him back during his career, and we saw that on Tuesday.
• Things started calmly enough. Gore started things off with a three pitch strikeout of Shea Langeliers as part of a 1-2-3 first. A leadoff walk in the second to Tyler Soderstrom was erased by a Max Muncy GIDP, and after retiring the first two batters in the third, Gore had faced the minimum and just needed to retired ninth place hitter Denzel Clarke for another 1-2-3 inning.
• Things went sideways from there, though. Clarke doubled, and then a four pitch walk to Langeliers was followed by a five pitch walk to Nick Kurtz, loading the bases. A line drive single by Jacob Wilson brought home two A’s runs before Gore got out of the inning by getting Soderstrom to ground out on the seventh pitch of that at bat.
• Though that Wilson single plated the only two A’s runs in the game, Gore never really got back on track after that. He got himself in trouble to start the fourth with a five pitch walk to Muncy and a four pitch walk to Austin Wynns. A sac bunt, a 6-2 out at home, and a Clarke K got him out of the inning unscathed. Gore couldn’t make it out of the fifth, however, as a K-single-K sequence was followed up by an eight pitch walk to Soderstrom, ending Gore’s day
• Gore only allowed three hits, but he issued six walks, tying his career high for walks in a game. He also needed 94 pitches to get through just 22 batters while getting just seven swings and misses.
• To his credit, Gore did a good job minimizing damage, and put the Rangers in a position where they could have won the game had the offense not taken a powder. But this is the sort of performance that has me thinking we should tap the brakes on anointing Gore as an ace.
• The good news from the pitching front was that Robert Garcia gave the Rangers 1.2 scoreless innings, with three Ks and a walk, and Tyler Alexander struck out two in getting the final four outs of the game.
• The bad news from the pitching front is that two Rangers pitchers left the game due to physical issues. Chris Martin came in in relief of Gore in the fifth, got Muncy to strike out, but then didn’t come out for the sixth due to arm soreness. Luis Curvelo, meanwhile, had to come out after two pitches, the second of which was way wild and was followed by him throwing his glove and grabbing his right arm. It looked serious, and post-game it was reported it was a biceps issue, though Skip Schumaker said Curvelo felt fine after the game.
• So we are in wait and see mode in regards to 25% of the Ranger bullpen. The Curvelo ailment could just have been a cramp or something similar that turns out to be a non-issue going forward, or it could not be.
• As for Martin, the Rangers have used him judiciously of late — he hasn’t pitched in back-to-back games since games 2 and 3 of the season, and he was making his third straight appearance when he was working on two days rest. The injury issues Martin dealt with last year make you concerned about how much he can be relied upon in 2026. Between the arm soreness and the rough start to the season, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Rangers erred on the side of caution and put Martin on the 15 day injured list.
• As for the offense, they were once more stymied by a lefthanded starter. The Rangers scored a run in the first on a Brandon Nimmo leadoff double and a Jake Burger single. They got just two more hits the rest of the game — a Danny Jansen leadoff single in the fifth, and a Josh Jung one out double in the seventh.
• In fairness, Andrew McCutchen was robbed of a homer in the fourth, with Denzel Clarke making a leaping grab at the wall to save what would have been a game-tying bomb.
• So far this season, the Rangers are slashing .250/.323/.422 against righthanded pitchers and .185/.243/.280 against lefties.
• MacKenzie Gore’s fastball reached 97.6 mph, averaging 95.8 mph. Chris Martin threw one fastball, at 95.7 mph. Robert Garcia’s fastball touched 96.2 mph. Tyler Alexander hit 93.3 mph with his fastball.
• Brandon Nimmo’s first inning double was 106.4 mph. Jake Burger had a 101.1 mph line out. The should’ve been home run stolen from Andrew McCutchen was 100.9 mph.
• Onwards and upwards.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran made an obscene gesture to a fan during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, April 14, flipping off a fan as he jogged back to the dugout at Target Field.

Duran said the fan made a comment that crossed the line.

"Somebody just told me to kill myself," Duran told reporters after the game. "I'm used to it at this point, you know? I mean, I'm going to flip somebody off if they say something to me, but it is what it is. I shouldn't react like that, but that kind of stuff is still kind of triggering."

Duran has been candid about his mental health struggles, revealing in a 2025 Netflix documentary about the Red Sox that his on-field difficulties during the 2021 and 2022 seasons led him to a dark place where he contemplated and attempted suicide.

More: LA Dodgers are MLB's melting pot, with complex history to show

The incident on Tuesday is not the first time Duran has had a run-in with a fan over the subject. Earlier this season, a Cleveland fan made an inappropriate comment referencing his mental health struggles in the middle of the seventh inning and was ejected from the game.

"Honestly, it's my fault for talking about my mental health because I kind of brought in the haters. So I've just got to get used to it," Duran said. "I was just trying to hold it in and not really bring that up to the team. I mean, we're trying to win a game. I shouldn't even bring that up to anybody. It just happens."

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he had not seen the gesture or any video of it. Duran finished hitless in four at-bats against the Twins and the Red Sox fell to 6-11 on the season with the loss.

More: Why are MLB players wearing 42 today? Jackie Robinson Day, explained

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.

Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

This story was updated to change a video.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jarren Duran makes obscene gesture after fan's offensive comment

As he's done so many times before, Kenley Jansen preserved a one-run lead in the ninth Tuesday night to nail down a save.

With the potential tying run at second base, the Detroit Tigers closer induced an easy fly ball to center field to complete a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on April 14 for save No. 479 of his career, moving him into third place on the all-time list.

Only Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have recorded more.

"It's awesome," Jansen told reporters afterward. "It tells me that no matter the adversity you go through in life, in your baseball career, at some point, you think you're done, but you always have that fight in you. You just have to keep believing in yourself, even if you don't that day."

More: LA Dodgers are MLB's melting pot, with complex history to show

The milestone was so important to Jansen that he addressed the team during its postgame celebration.

"The speech he gave to the team after, it was really cool to listen," said rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle, who scored the go-ahead run in the eighth that gave Jansen the opportunity. "He talked about his career, and how it was a grind. It’s easy to quit, but never give up. Guys like that, you’ve got to listen, anytime they talk."

MLB all-time saves leaders

1. Mariano Rivera 652
2. Trevor Hoffman 601
3. Kenley Jansen 479*
4. Lee Smith 478
5. Craig Kimbrel 440*
6. Francisco Rodriguez 437
7. John Franco 424
8. Billy Wagner 422
9. Dennis Eckersley 390
10. Joe Nathan 377

* - active

This story was updated to change a video.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kenley Jansen records 479th career save, now third on all-time list

Meet the Mets

The Mets lost their seventh game in as many days, falling to the Dodgers 2-1 in a true pitcher’s duel. Francisco Lindor provided the team’s sole run, hitting his first home run of the season to lead off the game, recording his first RBI of the season in the process. Nolan McLean had a transcendent start, pitching seven innings of one-run baseball, striking out eight and allowing just two hits and two walks. His sole run was given up in the first, when a Freddie Freeman dribbler up the first base line allowed Kyle Tucker to score from third. But Yoshinobu Yamamoto was just as fantastic, going 7.2 innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven. Brooks Raley took the loss, allowing a run in one inning of work, where one hit made the difference after two walks.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, MLB.com, Newsday, New York Post

Nolan McLean’s pitch mix is quite unique, as is his ability to create spin when he throws.

The Mets’ current offensive rut can’t be placed solely on the absence of Juan Soto, and in fact goes much deeper than that.

Prior to last night’s game, the Mets called up Austin Warren and placed newly called up reliever Joey Gerber on the 15-day injured list with a right finger blister.

Jared Young has been dealing with some left knee discomfort, and is awaiting the results of some testing to determine a possible injured list stint.

Around the National League East

The Phillies traded former top pitching prospect Griff McGarry to the Dodgers.

The Nationals beat the Pirates 5-4, with CJ Abrams getting three hits—including a home run—and driving in two runs.

The Phillies were handed a smackdown by the Cubs in a 10-4 loss, with Tim Mayza taking the loss after giving up four runs (only three earned) while only recording a single out.

The Braves eked out a 6-5 win against the Marlins, with Dominic Smith driving in three runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the Braves ahead in the eleventh hour.

Around Major League Baseball

The key to a great pinch-hitter may come down to the length of the batter’s swing, at least according to Rangers manager Skip Schumaker.

The Milwaukee Brewers have taken a big hit to their lineup with Christian Yelich now expected to be out until at least the middle of May, if not longer.

Mayor Ken Sim has called for a bid for an expansion team to be given to the city of Vancouver.

Lucas Giolito is still on the free agent market, but he might not be for much longer with multiple teams in desparate need of pitching.

Orioles’ manager Craig Albernaz may be bruised and have several broken bones, but he’s already back after taking a foul ball to the face and a trip to the hospital.

Tatsuya Imai has admitted to having some trouble adjusting to an American lifestyle, both within and outside of the world of baseball.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Steve Sypa is up to his third Mets Minor Leaguers of the Week roundup.

Today in the Feed

This Date in Mets History

29 years ago today, MLB held the first ever Jackie Robinson Day at Shea Stadium, with several big names in attendance including President Bill Clinton and Robinson’s widow Rachel Robinson.

Happy Wednesday, A’s fans. Today, the Athletics—and every other MLB team—will wear No. 42 in honor of the legendary Jackie Robinson.

After beginning the season 1-5, the Athletics responded with a five-game winning streak to finish their challenging opening 15-game stretch at an even 8-8. That streak came to an end Monday in the opener of the team’s second home series against the Texas Rangers. Having spent the majority of the season on the road, this weeklong home stand offers a chance to settle in and pick up some wins at Sutter Health Park.

With Brent Rooker on the injured list due to an oblique strain, the A’s have already tapped into their organizational depth. Zack Gelof earned a promotion from the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators after batting .366 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. Primarily a second baseman, Gelof also received playing time in the outfield in Triple-A. He made his first MLB start in right field yesterday in the A’s 2-1 bounce-back victory over the Texas Rangers. Gelof did not make a catch; the only ball hit his way was Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo’s double. At the plate, he struck out twice, with a sacrifice bunt in between.

Gelof may not be the last call-up from Las Vegas. Outfielder Colby Thomas and catcher Brian Serven are also hitting well and both could be in line for opportunities this season.

On the pitching side, reliever Joel Kuhnel has impressed with two saves in two opportunities, while fellow call-up Jack Perkins has also helped stabilize the bullpen. Notably, the A’s have yet to place a pitcher on the injured list this season. When that changes, pitching prospects Kade Morris and Gage Jump could be candidates for their MLB debuts.

At Double-A Midland, top prospect Leo De Vries grabbed headlines Sunday with his first two home runs of the season. He will likely be promoted to Las Vegas at some point this year, and if he continues to play well, a jump to the majors is not out of the question. Third baseman Tommy White and left-handed pitchers Jamie Arnold and Wei-en Lin are also worth monitoring.

Further down the system, High-A Lansing pitchers Zane Taylor and Steven Echavarria stand out, along with outfielder Devin Taylor, the A’s second-round selection in the 2025 MLB Draft. In Low-A Stockton, 18-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Breyson Guedez is trending up after an impressive spring. Following his 450-foot home run off San Diego Padres starter Michael King during Cactus League play, Guedez has carried that momentum into the season, tallying 12 hits in his first 41 at-bats.

Overall, the Athletics possess promising talent at every level of the organization, a positive sign as the franchise prepares for its move to Las Vegas in 2028.

How often do you expect the A’s to rely on minor league reinforcements this season? And which prospect do you think will make the biggest impact?

A’s Coverage:

• Saturday Potpourri As A’s Reach For .500
• A’s Beat Rangers 2-1, Tied For First in AL West
• A’s Sweep the Mets!
• A’s roster moves: Rooker to IL, Gelof recalled
• A’s roster moves: Jack Perkins recalled, Michael Kelly optioned
• Luis Morales Optioned to Triple-A
• A’s Add Former Yankees Reliever as Bullpen Depth Option
• Armchair 101: The Challenge Of Judging Decisions In Real Time
• A’s Biggest Camp Question is Already Becoming a Strength in 2026
• Extensions To Colt Emerson And Konnor Griffin A New Trend?
• AN Exclusive: Blogfather Observes The Wild Denzelope In Its Natural Habitat
• AN Exclusive: Blogfather Toes The Rubber With Pitching Coach Scott Emerson
• AN Exclusive: Blogfather Catches Up With Starting Pitcher Jacob Lopez

MLB News and Interest:

• How MLB is commemorating Jackie Robinson Day
• Blue Jays acquire Lenyn Sosa from White Sox
• All-Star pitcher still on the market generating buzz from pitching-needy clubs
• Phillies trade former highly touted prospect McGarry to Dodgers
• Orioles’ Albernaz has cheek fractures, broken jaw from liner
• Red Sox ace Crochett hammered for 11 runs, 9 hits
• Miller extends unbelievable scoreless streak, eyes franchise record
• Brewers’ Yelich likely to miss a month with adductor strain
• What to expect from White Sox No. 2 prospect Schultz in the big leagues
• Mets lose sixth in a row: “Just got to ride this storm”
• Trout, Judge among NINE players to hit multiple home runs in same day
• Gerrrit Cole, Carlos Rodon nearing rehab assignments
• Diamondbacks move starter Brandon Pfaadt to bullpen
• Tracking all of MLB’s City Connect jerseys and debut dates
• Money and tech have closed the gap between NCAA baseball and MLB. That’s good news for coaches
• Hitting with ‘freedom’, Cardinals’ Walker continues historic stretch of homers
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs continued his early-season dominance last night. It seems like the A’s have a strong chance to win every time he takes the mound.

Take a bow, Jeffrey Springs 💐 pic.twitter.com/YM4e0p4TIx

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) April 15, 2026

19-year-old elite shortstop prospect Leo De Vries is heating up at Double-A. He had two more hits last night. How long should the Athletics keep him on the Midland Rockhounds before promoting him to Triple-A?

Leo De Vries rips it to left to tie it up 👊

B3 | Amigos 2, Missions 2 pic.twitter.com/hXcj2JoRHN

— Midland RockHounds (@RockHounds) April 15, 2026

Today is a special day in baseball, as the sport honors the man who heroically broke MLB’s color line. However, more work still needs to be done, as A’s right fielder Lawrence Butler is among the small percentage—about 6.8%—of African American players in Major League Baseball

DYK: Ken Griffey Jr. switched from No. 24 to No. 42 on the inaugural Jackie Robinson Day, April 15, 1997.

Ten years later, he asked for permission to wear the number again.

That led to a Jackie Robinson Day tradition since 2009 – every Major Leaguer wears No. 42 on that day.… pic.twitter.com/aZ5BzjnUrN

— MLB (@MLB) February 4, 2026

Recency bias can be a heck of a thing, and a concept that may not serve Yankees righty Will Warren all that well. In his most recent outing on Monday against a forgettable Angels lineup, Warren failed to escape the fourth inning, and although they were all unearned, Los Angeles plated four runs under his watch. Although he was not on the hook for any earned runs, it was not a pretty start, but it would be hard to deny the good things in there.

On the whole, that is often the case with Warren. He does not pitch deep into games, and may not always produce the most eye-popping lines, but there is plenty of value in what he brings to the Yankees. Although his role is not set in stone in the future, from the beginning of the 2025 season until now it has been vital to the Yankees. Although that start against the Angels was brief, it was productive in a lot of ways, as he struck out six and walked just one, while technically being off the hook for any of the Halos’ four runs. In fact, a lot of his starts have looked like this, as he’s reached a maximum of 5.2 innings in a start this season, with that being the only time he’s pitched beyond the fifth. It may not be the most satisfying baseball, but it certainly isn’t bad.

On the season (four starts), Warren has posted a 2.45 ERA and a 3.57 FIP, while striking out more than a batter per inning. The six walks he’s allowed would also suggest an improved rate, though it is obviously very early. Either way, the likely outcome is that the Yankees simply get a Will Warren similar to the one they saw in 2025. There is a valid argument that this would be just fine.

Perhaps Warren’s most valuable asset in 2025 was the fact that has was able to start 33 games for the Yankees, one of just eight big league pitchers to do so. Beyond just simple dependability, which has become an overlooked skill, Warren was a solid major league arm through it all. The now 26-year-old managed a 4.07 FIP in his 162.1 innings of work, and although he completed seven innings in just one of those 33 starts, the Yankees could at least count on trotting him out there every fifth day without needing to worry.

That season was his only real full-time big league work to this point, and at his age, a breakout to some degree would not be the most surprising thing in the world. Given his deep pitching repertoire, highlighted by good off-speed stuff, and a four-seam/sinker combo that can get him by, Warren has a reasonable ceiling, with a floor that is sturdy thanks to his proven durability. Even if huge steps are never really taken, a mid-to-end-rotation arm who can rack up some strikeouts and generally stay out of major trouble can be hugely valuable. For the Yankees, in their current situation, they can see exactly why. With both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón on the shelf early in 2026, Warren’s presence, whatever it may be, is proving valuable.

Whenever those two All-Star level pitchers return, Warren’s role could change as the 2026 season progresses. But they say you can never have enough pitching, and if Warren can remain healthy and continue to make regular starts for New York, he’ll keep doing his thing as a quietly valuable part of this roster.

Will Warren’s time on the mound may not always be lengthy or particularly flashy, but its value comes from dependability. It’s been only a year-plus of time, but if Warren can maintain his league-average or better production as someone who can consistently trot out every fifth day, the floor is high for a righty that’s proving quite valuable to the Yankees.

Mets star Juan Soto took a big step on his road back from a calf strain, beginning a running program on Tuesday. 

SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen first made note of the progress during Tuesday night's game, then team owner Steve Cohen later confirmed the news on social media. 

This is certainly very encouraging progress for all sides. 

Soto has been participating in baseball activities such as hitting and playing catch since days after suffering the injury, but he hadn’t resumed running up until this point. 

New York, of course, won't activate the star outfielder until he is back to 100 percent.

Carlos Mendoza did note earlier this week that they still expect him to be able to meet the two-to-three week threshold they put out upon placing him on the 15-day IL on April 6.

If he continues to follow that timeline, it'd put him on track to return at some point next week. 

When asked about the possibility of a rehab assignment, the skipper said that the team could get creative with Soto, which could mean bringing minor league pitchers to Citi Field to throw live ABs. 

Either way, the Mets' offense could certainly use him back sooner rather than later. 

After falling to the Dodgers 2-1 on Tuesday, they've now scored just once over their last three games and 10 times over the course of their seven-game losing streak. 

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Kyle Tucker has been in a horrid slump, but a game-winning single last night could be exactly what gets him rolling again.

Tucker has a strong matchup tonight, but so do Elly De La Cruz and Oneil Cruz, with all three lining up in favorable spots.

Read on for my MLB player props for Wednesday, April 15.

Best MLB player props today

Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120)

Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz steps into Great American Ball Park tonight against Tyler Mahle, a fly-ball arm walking into a launching pad.

With 83-degree heat and wind blowing out, this is prime carry weather. The San Francisco Giants starter has already allowed 16 hits in 14 2/3 innings, basically a hit per frame.

De La Cruz has cleared his total bases prop in three of his previous four games, and needs just one gap shot or one big swing to cash this plus-money prop.

• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBC Sports Bay Area, Reds.TV

Oneil Cruz Over 1.5 total bases (-115)

Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz is on an absolute tear, slashing .328/.400/.597/.997 with elite barrel rates and exit velocity that shows he crushes mistakes.

Tonight, Cruz gets Washington Nationals pitching at PNC Park, where Jake Irvin brings a 7.07 ERA and serious hard contact issues. It does not get better after that, as the Nats' bullpen has been the worst in baseball.

Cruz projects to cruise well past this prop number for our MLB picks, with nine innings of hittable pitching from first pitch to last out.

• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: MLB.TV, Nationals. TV

Kyle Tucker Over 0.5 home runs (+610)

Kyle Tucker drove in the game-winning RBI last night and is hopefully beginning to heat up for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York Mets starter Clay Holmes leans heavily on his sinker, and Tucker has feasted on right-handed pitching throughout his career, posting an .871 OPS with serious power, and the winds are blowing out tonight.

He has already taken Holmes deep before and knows the look. One sinker left up, and the Dodgers slugger can leave the yard in a hurry.

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ESPN

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

In the best pitching duel the Dodgers have seen so far this season, Yoshinobu Yamamoto went toe-to-toe with New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean and continued the trend of starting pitching giving Mets hitters headaches.

Yamamoto got ambushed immediately by Francisco Lindor, allowing a leadoff home run on his third pitch of the game, but he retired 20 hitters in a row and went on to toss 7 2/3 innings while allowing just four hits and one walk, striking out seven. His outing continues a dominant display from the Dodgers rotation against New York, as he and Justin Wrobleski have limited a Mets team now in the midst of a seven-game losing streak to just six hits and one run over 15 2/3 innings.

Yamamoto spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA following the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory over the Mets on Tuesday, where the right-hander spoke about dueling McLean and bouncing back after allowing the leadoff home run.

“Every outing, I’m starting to feel better and better. Today, the home run was really regrettable,” Yamamoto told Watson. “In terms of the pitching sequence, I communicate with the coaches in between innings, because sometimes I feel like my stuff coming out of my hand feels different. I make the adjustments as the game moves along.”

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As for Wrobleski, he has performed marvelously in his two starts this season, with the latter being an eight inning gem against the Mets where he faced one batter over the minimum in a 4-0 shutout win.

The difference to where Wrobleski was last year around this time compared to this year is night and day, and Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times writes about the adjustments the left-hander made to be more effective pitching at the big league level both out of the bullpen and in the rotation.

“He was at a crossroads and chose a hard path to go down there and self reflect and gain some confidence and bring it back here,” Roberts said. “There is talent but there is also what’s practical, what plays at the big league level, and that is strike-throwing, being able to sequence, miss barrels, put it on the ground, create soft contact, work with efficiency. Those are things that help a championship team win games. And he has a really good grasp of that.”

Edwin Díaz was not brought on for the ninth inning in Tuesday’s win over his old team, as Alex Vesia came in to record the save. Dave Roberts spoke with Watson about Díaz’s condition, noting that he is fine health-wise and that his availability for Wednesday’s series finale will be determined on how his bullpen session goes. Díaz had previously been listed as day-to-day due to a decline in his velocity.

“Talking to the training staff and pitching staff, they want to see [Díaz] throw a bullpen… We didn’t go to him in the ninth tonight, but tomorrow, if he comes in after this bullpen, then he’ll be ready to go.”