-
Jacob Young CF | WAS
Nationals' Jacob Young: On bench Saturday
Young isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against San Diego.
Young will get a chance to rest his legs Saturday after tallying five hits across his last five games, adding a homer, two RBI and three runs in that span. Daylen Lile, Dylan Crews and James Wood will start across the outfield while Young sits.
-
Evan Carter CF | TEX
Rangers' Evan Carter: Beginning on bench Saturday
Carter isn't in the Rangers' starting lineup for Saturday's matchup against Kansas City.
Carter frequently sits against lefty starters, but this time he's being held out of the lineup versus right-hander Seth Lugo. Michael Helman will man center field for Texas in Carter's stead. Carter was hit by a pitch Friday, but it's unclear if that has anything to do with him being held out Saturday, per Matthew Postins of SI.com.
-
Daulton Varsho CF | HOU
Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho: Two XBH in Friday's win
Varsho went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and a run scored in Friday's win over the Orioles.
Both extra-base hits came off southpaw Trevor Rogers, as Varsho stays dialed in at the plate. It was the center fielder's fifth multi-hit performance in his last 13 games, a stretch in which he's slashing .327/.411/.510 with zero homers but five doubles, two triples, one steal, three RBI and seven runs.
-
Oneil Cruz CF | PIT
Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Slugs 12th homer
Cruz went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and two RBI on Friday against the Twins.
Cruz drove in a run in the first inning and then blasted a solo home run in the third frame. He has 12 homers on the season, and two in his last six starts. Cruz has hit .333 with four RBI and three runs scored in that span, continuing his breakout campaign.
-
Jackson Merrill CF | SD
Padres' Jackson Merrill: Ends homer drought
Merrill went 1-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 7-5 win over the Nationals.
The center fielder took Mitchell Parker deep in the seventh inning for what proved to be the game-winning hit -- Merrill's first long ball since May 4 and his first of the season against a left-handed pitcher. During his 19-game homer drought, he slashed a paltry .162/.250/.235 with five doubles, three RBI and four runs, but he did chip in four steals. Friday's clutch blast could be a sign he's beginning to find his rhythm at the plate.
-
Angel Martinez LF | CLE
Guardians' Angel Martinez: Contributes with bat, arm
Martinez went 1-for-4 with an RBI and had an outfield assist in Friday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox.
Martinez made an impact early in the game. He singled in the Guardians' third run in their four-run first inning and then gunned down Mickey Gasper at the plate an inning later. He's cooled off during the month of May (.225 average), but Martinez has maintained a run-producing bat and remains a regular in the starting lineup, either in left or right field. His 29 RBI and 19 extra-base hits are second on the club.
-
Bryan Reynolds LF | PIT
Pirates' Bryan Reynolds: Slugs walk-off homer Friday
Reynolds went 1-for-3 with two walks, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 6-5 win over the Twins.
The veteran outfielder didn't get much to hit earlier in the game, but he came through when it mattered most, launching a walk-off homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning against Taylor Rogers. Reynolds has hit safely in seven straight games, batting .500 (12-for-24) over that span with four doubles, two home runs, one steal, five RBI and seven runs.
-
Tyler Freeman RF | COL
Rockies' Tyler Freeman: Four-game hitting streak
Freeman went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk Friday against the Giants.
Freeman has gotten more consistent playing time with Mickey Moniak (ankle) sidelined, starting nine straight games. Freeman has hit .265 with two RBI and three runs scored in that span, and he's also in the midst of a four-game hitting streak. Freeman has occupied the second spot in the lineup in four of the last five contests, giving him some run-scoring upside if he continues to reach base at a strong clip.
-
J.J. Bleday LF | CIN
Reds' JJ Bleday: Clubs eighth homer
Bleday went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta.
The 28-year-old outfielder took Grant Holmes deep to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning and get Cincy on the board. Bleday continues to swing a hot bat, and over his last 16 games he's slashing .311/.411/.607 with four of his eight homers on the season, as well as one steal, 11 runs and 15 RBI.
-
Michael Harris II CF | ATL
Braves' Michael Harris: Drives in three in Friday's win
Harris went 3-for-5 with three RBI in Friday's 8-3 win over the Reds.
He was caught stealing for the first time this season, but it was otherwise another productive effort from Harris. The center fielder has three multi-hit performances in the last four games and six in the last 10, boosting his slash line on the season to .308/.333/.535 with 13 homers, three steals, 27 runs and 36 RBI in 55 contests.