MLB Player News

Valdez (4-3) earned the win over Minnesota on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four batters over seven innings.

Valdez needed a modest 85 pitches to get through seven frames before turning the game over to the bullpen. He notched his second straight quality start and fourth over his past five contests. Overall, Valdez has given up three or fewer earned runs in seven of his nine starts on the campaign.

Marquez (elbow) threw a bullpen session of between 30 and 35 pitches Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Marquez threw primarily fastballs but also mixed in some breaking balls. He'll now head to Arizona and is expected to appear in several Arizona Complex League contests before embarking on a more formal rehab assignment. Marquez remains on course to return just before the All-Star break.

Freeland (elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Freeland simulated the pace of a game, adhering to the pitch clock and between-inning breaks. Manager Bud Black also spoke to the media and suggested that Freeland is a minimum of three weeks away from being activated from the injured list.

Springs (elbow/lat) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Springs resumed throwing Thursday, but Saturday's activity marked his return to the mound. He threw primarily fastballs and changeups and will retake the mound Tuesday. If that goes well, the next step could be a rehab assignment. Unsurprisingly, the Rays are planning to be cautious with Springs, as he'll begin his rehab work by throwing only one inning while gradually building from there.

Poche (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Poche's last documented activity was May 22, when he threw a 15-pitch bullpen session. He'll likely only need a couple of appearances in Durham before being activated.

Smith has allowed two runs over nine innings since the start of May.

Smith doesn't have the best control, having allowed six hits and three walks with just five strikeouts in that span. He's also picked up two of his four holds in that stretch, though manager Matt Quatraro has mostly kept Smith out of high-leverage situations since early April. The left-hander's season-long numbers remain poor (6.38 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 12:8 K:BB), but he's been less volatile recently. With James McArthur, John Schreiber and Chris Stratton all pitching at a mediocre level in May, there could eventually be a path to high-leverage chances for Smith if he can keep performing well.

Blanco went 0-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Padres.

Blanco briefly looked to be claiming a larger role in mid-May, but he's since returned to his usual status as a fourth outfielder. His steal Saturday was his first since May 13, giving him 12 thefts on the year. He's added a decent .255/.323/.364 slash line with one home run, four RBI, 15 runs scored and three doubles over 63 plate appearances. Blanco's last two starts have come against right-handed pitchers, but it appears that's more to give Kyle Isbel regular rest than it is a sign of Blanco earning a larger role.

Cecconi did not factor into the decision in Saturday's win over the Mets, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Cecconi was recalled from Triple-A Reno after Zac Gallen (hamstring) was placed on the injured list and looked sharp despite posting a 8.41 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in four May appearances. His only blemish was a solo home run by Mark Vientos to lead off the fifth inning, but he was pulled at 71 pitches and unable to qualify for the win. On the season, Ceconni now owns a 5.59 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB through 37 innings and should remain in the rotation as long as Zac Gallen is on the shelf.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 10-5 win over the Mets on Saturday.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning, Walker hit a grand slam off Sean Manaea to open the scoring. It was Walker's second night in a row with a homer, and he has now reached base in 10 straight games dating back to May 21. That stretch has included four home runs and eight RBI, and Walker is now up to 12 home runs and 38 RBI on the season.

Pasquantino went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run, an additional RBI and a double in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Padres.

Pasquantino twice gave the Royals a lead, first with a first-inning homer and then with an RBI single in the third, but that was the extent of the team's run production. The first baseman is heating up with three straight multi-hit efforts. He's gone 7-for-15 with four extra-base hits and six RBI in that span after batting just .148 over a 16-game stretch with no multi-hit performances. For the season, Pasquantino is slashing .242/.317/.434 with seven homers, 39 RBI, 27 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases through 56 contests.