MLB Player News

Dubin picked up the save in a win over Oakland on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits over three innings while striking out two.

Dubin took advantage of a rare save opportunity and closed out the final three innings for the Astros to secure his first save of the season. The right-handed reliever surrendered a leadoff single to kick things off in the seventh and then allowed the runner to advance on a wild pitch before they would eventually make their way home to put Oakland on the board. However, Dubin was able to work his way through it before cruising through the next two frames and recording his longest outing of the campaign. On the downside, he's now allowed at least one run in two of his last three appearances.

Estes (1-1) was hit with the loss Thursday against the Astros, allowing eight runs on eight hits and four walks over 3.2 innings while striking out four.

Estes struggled with his command out of the gate and was lucky to get through the first two innings unscathed despite allowing four batters to reach over that span. However, it would finally catch up with the 22-year-old right-hander in the third after he issued a walk to Kyle Tucker to open the frame, which would eventually lead to six runs coming across for Houston in the inning. Estes would surrender another two runs in the fourth and actually allowed the leadoff man to reach in all four innings in which he appeared. He threw just 61 pitches over five frames in his first outing and did not walk a batter, but needed 89 pitches to get through 3.2 innings Thursday, while issuing four free passes.

Javier (3-1) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, pitching six shutout innings while allowing two hits and one walk. He struck out eight.

Javier came out firing Thursday, striking out five of the first eight batters he faced before finishing with a season-high eight punchouts on the night. The right-hander threw only nine of his 21 first pitches for strikes, but also produced 15 whiffs as he cruised to his third win of the season. It was certainly a nice return to form for Javier, who was shelled for seven runs in his first start after returning from the injured list a week ago. The quality start was his third of the campaign, while it also marked the second time this season in which he's allowed two or fewer hits in an outing.

Margot started in center field and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's loss to the Yankees. He's hitting just .169 with a .460 OPS this season.

The Twins traded for Margot in the offseason thinking he'd be insurance in center field if Bryon Buxton was injured and could find a right-handed platoon role. However, he's struggled to provide any offense and made just his second start this month in center field despite Buxton missing the last two weeks with a knee injury. Margot may continue to languish on the bench until he gets going at the plate.

Devers went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Rays.

Devers took righty Zack Littell yard for a solo homer in the second inning, marking the lefty third baseman's second straight game with a long ball. All six of Devers' homers this season have come off RHP, and he boasts a .302/.394/.593 slash line against opposite-handed pitching.

Duran went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a solo home run and an additional run scored during Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Rays.

Duran provided plenty of pop from the leadoff position Thursday, swatting his second homer of 2024 and generating two doubles for a second straight game. The contest was Duran's fourth game with at least three hits this season. The center fielder will finish the four-game series against Tampa Bay 6-for-15 (.400) with three runs scored and five extra-base hits.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Thursday's 7-5 win over the Red Sox.

Lowe has generated at least one hit in all eight starts since coming off the IL and tallied his second homer in the Boston series Thursday. He tagged Cooper Criswell for a two-run shot in the third inning to put the Rays ahead 3-1. Lowe owns a .957 OPS in 38 plate appearances this season with four runs scored.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings against the Red Sox. He struck out three.

Littell surrendered his first home run since April 22, yielding a solo home run to Rafael Devers in the second inning. Thursday's outing marked Littell's second time in nine starts allowing four or more runs. On the year, Littell owns a 3.44 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and a 48:4 K:BB across 49.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled for a rematch with Boston during a three-game homestand early next week.

Jansen (1-1) took the loss Thursday against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts over one inning.

Jansen took over in the top of the ninth with the game tied, but fell to his first loss of the campaign. After striking out Josh Lowe to start off the inning, Jansen yielded a walk, two singles and a sacrifice fly to consecutive batters as the Rays took a 7-5 advantage and the eventual win. The outing raised the 36-year-old's ERA from 2.45 to 3.45. In 15.2 innings of work, Jansen owns a 21:10 K:BB and has yet to allow a home run.

Criswell didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Tampa Bay, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Criswell set season worst run and earned run totals Thursday and gave up a home run for a third straight start. The long ball came in the third inning off the bat of Josh Lowe and plated Jose Siri. Despite Thursday's hiccup, Criswell owns a 2.76 ERA and a 28:7 K:BB through 29.1 innings, an impressive showing for his first extended stretch as a starter. Although he's been a solid fill-in option for the Sox, Criswell will likely be the odd man out once Garrett Whitlock (oblique) returns from the IL -- which could be as soon as May 20.