The Opener News & Rumors

Happy birthday to Brayan Bello, as the Red Sox right-hander turns 27 years old today.  His gift?  A start against the Braves, who have the best record in baseball (31-15) and one of the league’s top offenses.

1. Sanchez is spotless

Cristopher Sanchez recorded a career-best 13 strikeouts while allowing only six hits (and zero walks) over the full nine innings in the Phillies’ 6-0 win over the Pirates on Saturday.  The complete-game gem dropped Sanchez’s ERA down to 1.82 over 10 starts and 64 1/3 innings this season, and the southpaw also has a scoreless-inning streak of 29 2/3 frames.  More excellent pitching could be on tap as the Phillies and Pirates conclude their series today, as Zack Wheeler is set to face off against Paul Skenes.

2. O’Hearn undergoes MRI

If the shutout loss wasn’t a bad enough outcome for the Pirates, Ryan O’Hearn also left the game after three innings due to what was described as right quad discomfort.  O’Hearn underwent an MRI and more should be known about his status today.  Signed to a two-year, $29MM free agent deal last offseason, O’Hearn has been a huge part of the resurgent Pittsburgh lineup, hitting .289/.368/.459 with seven homers over 182 plate appearances while chipping in at both first base and in right field.

3. Murakami’s two-homer game

Just when it seemed like Munetaka Murakami might be coming back to earth, the White Sox slugger went yard twice in yesterday’s 8-3 win over the Cubs.  Murakami’s first multi-homer game as a big leaguer ended a six-game homer “drought,” and he is now up to 17 home runs and a .236/.376/.567 slash line over 194 PA.  He’ll look to keep it going today when the White Sox try to win the series with their crosstown rivals, and Erick Fedde will get the start for the Pale Hose against the Wrigleyville Nine’s Colin Rea.

Merrill Kelly went the full nine innings in the Diamondbacks’ 9-1 win over the Rockies yesterday, as the veteran righty limited Colorado to just the one earned run on four hits and zero walks.  At 37 years and 213 days of age, Kelly became the fourth-oldest pitcher since 1930 (thanks to the Elias Sports Bureau and MLB.com’s Sarah Langs) to log the first complete game of his MLB career.

1. Schwarber keeps schlugging

Kyle Schwarber is the first player to reach the 20-homer plateau this season, as the slugger went yard twice in the Phillies’ 11-9 win over the Pirates on Friday.  Schwarber now has nine home runs in his last eight games, and an absurd .353/.421/1.147 slash line in his last 38 trips to the plate.  Though the Phillies are still under .500 at 22-23, the club’s fortunes have been revived by Schwarber’s hot streak and their managerial change, as Philadelphia is now 13-4 under interim skipper Don Mattingly.

2. Schlittler owns the Mets

Cam Schlittler leads all pitchers with 2.5 fWAR, and the Yankees right-hander continued his dominance with another quality start on Friday.  After limiting the Mets to one run on two hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings yesterday, Schlittler now has a 1.35 ERA, 30.1% strikeout rate, and 4.9% walk rate over an even 60 innings of work this season.  Less than 10 months removed from his Major League debut, Schlittler has already become a cornerstone of New York’s rotation, and his importance to the rotation has become even greater with Max Fried sidelined for at least the next month.

3. Schlightly….er, slightly better health news for Tigers

The injury-ravaged Tigers are starting to get some reinforcements.  Right-hander Connor Seabold rejoined the bullpen after being activated from the 15-day injured list yesterday, and Casey Mize returns from the 15-day IL today to make the start against the Blue Jays.  These pitchers are returning just as Ty Madden had to leave yesterday’s game after being hit in the right forearm by a comeback, though manager A.J. Hinch said initial tests on Madden didn’t reveal any structural damage.  Will Vest and Beau Brieske are continuing their rehab assignments, Justin Verlander threw 50 pitches in a live bullpen session on Friday, and (most intriguingly) Tarik Skubal has already begun a throwing progression after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on May 6.

With Shohei Ohtani getting the day off, catcher Will Smith led off for the first time in his career. The move paid off for the Dodgers. Smith took Landen Roupp deep in his first at-bat. Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup on Friday, which will likely bump Smith back to the middle of the order.

1. Aces battle in New York

The first Subway Series of the season begins on Friday, with the Yankees heading to Citi Field. It’s a matchup of unexpected top starters for each side. Cam Schlittler will get the ball for the Yankees. He’s built on his 2025 postseason success to become a legitimate AL Cy Young contender. Clay Holmes will oppose Schlittler. The veteran slipped out of the rotation down the stretch last year, but has bounced back in a big way this season. Holmes has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all eight starts. He’s been one of the most effective members of a rotation that includes Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta.

2. Suarez cruises in revenge game

Red Sox lefty Ranger Suarez faced his former club for the first time on Thursday. He delivered 5 1/3 scoreless frames against the Phillies, striking out eight. Suarez was coming off a minor hamstring injury and was pulled after 76 pitches. “To be honest, it was like a regular game,” Suarez told reporters through an interpreter, including Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. “Obviously, I know they were my old teammates, but I wanted to just get deep in the game.” Philadelphia signed Suarez as an international free agent in 2012. He’d spent his entire pro career with the organization until this season. Boston handed Suarez a five-year, $130MM deal this offseason.

3. Lee makes history against the Dodgers

Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee sliced a line drive down the left field line in the fifth inning against the Dodgers last night. The ball skipped off the side wall and past Teoscar Hernandez. Lee zoomed around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. It was the first inside-the-parker for a Giant at Dodger Stadium, according to multiple reports, including from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. It was also Lee’s first at any level, even Little League, he told reporters. The play momentarily tied the game, but L.A. would score three times in the sixth inning. Hernandez was at the center of the rally following his defensive miscue.

Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images

Happy birthday, Mickey Moniak. The outfielder celebrated turning 28 by finishing a single short of the cycle. Per the Rockies, Moniak is the first player since at least 1898 to post a stat line that included nine total bases, three extra-base hits, a triple, a home run, and 5 RBI.

1. Walk-off Wednesday

Yesterday’s action featured several exciting finishes, including four walk-off wins. Mets rookie Carson Benge knocked in the winning run in the 10th inning against the Tigers. The Rangers gave up three runs in the top of the ninth, then scored three runs in the bottom of the frame to beat the Diamondbacks. The Astros also fumbled a ninth-inning lead, only to win it in extras on a Zach Cole single. The biggest clutch hit of the evening was Daulton Varsho‘s game-winning grand slam against the Rays. The Blue Jays gave up two runs in the top of the 10th, but loaded the bases against reliever Aaron Brooks. Varsho sent the fans home happy with a drive to left field that landed in Toronto’s bullpen.

2. Soto leaves with ankle injury

Mets megastar Juan Soto left midway through the game against Detroit with an ankle injury. The outfielder initially remained in the contest after fouling a ball off his foot, but was replaced by MJ Melendez in the seventh inning. Soto seems to have avoided serious injury. He’s currently day-to-day and could suit up for the series finale on Thursday. “I was concerned as soon as he got hit, because it got him pretty good there,” manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters, including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “We went out there, and you could tell that he was in pain. That second at-bat didn’t look right.” The Mets can ill-afford to lose another big-name player, with Francisco Lindor and Luis Robert Jr. already sidelined.

3. Garrett returning against Twins

Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett is expected to start on Thursday against Minnesota. He’s been working his way back from UCL surgery. Garrett has a crisp 2.30 ERA with more than a strikeout per inning across six starts at Triple-A. He’ll be stepping in for lefty Robby Snelling, who hit the IL yesterday with a UCL sprain. It’s a disappointing outcome for the top prospect, who made just one big-league start before going down with the injury. Snelling was filling the rotation spot of Chris Paddack. Garrett will now have the opportunity to take over that role.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Sousa, Imagn Images

Since giving up five earned runs on Opening Day, Paul Skenes has allowed six earned runs over eight starts. The reigning ERA champ has his mark back under 2.00 through 58 innings. Skenes had three career starts of 8+ innings heading into this season. He’s now done it in back-to-back outings.

1. Miller making his return

Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller is slated to start on Wednesday against the Astros. Miller went down with an oblique strain in Spring Training. His absence has allowed Emerson Hancock to emerge as one of the more surprising breakouts of 2026. Miller’s return will force an adjustment to Seattle’s rotation. The initial plan is to roll with a six-man staff. The Mariners don’t have an off-day until May 21, so expanding the rotation will give the other starters extra rest during a tough stretch. From there, the club is considering piggybacking Miller with Luis Castillo, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. The veteran has scuffled to a 6.57 ERA through eight starts.

2. Ohtani won’t hit for two days

Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani won’t be in the hitting lineup when he pitches tonight against the Giants. He will also take a seat on Thursday. Manager Dave Roberts is sticking with the plan of Ohtani getting two days off, even after he snapped an 11-game home run drought on Tuesday. “I think that might’ve been something where, you know you get a couple days off of hitting and it might have freed him up,” Roberts told reporters, including Katie Woo of The Athletic. “You just never know. To go back on a pact, a decision that we came upon or I came upon, I don’t like that.” Ohtani entered Tuesday’s matchup stuck in a 4-for-38 rut over his last 10 games.

3. Haase homers twice

Giants catcher Eric Haase took Yoshinobu Yamamoto deep in consecutive at-bats on Tuesday. His second homer was back-to-back with Harrison Bader and gave the Giants a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Haase is part of a catching trio that includes youngsters Jesus Rodriguez and Daniel Susac. He joined the roster when Susac went down with an injury, and he’ll have a chance to stick around as a veteran presence now that Patrick Bailey is in Cleveland. Haase earned a Major League comp from manager Tony Vitello after the game. “I get Jake Taylor vibes from Haase, and those two (young) guys are sponges as far as what they’re looking to learn from their teammates and (nobody’s better to learn from) than the guy who’s actually doing what you’re doing,” Vitello told reporters, including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Photo courtesy of Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images

Yesterday’s Opener highlighted Baltimore’s struggles against left-handed starters. Through six innings on Monday, it was more of the same. Ryan Weathers carried a no-hitter into the seventh. Two baserunners spelled the end of Weathers’ night, and reliever Brent Headrick immediately gave up a three-run homer to Coby Mayo. Baltimore held on for its first win against a lefty this year.

1. Ewing gets the call

The Mets are expected to call up outfield prospect A.J. Ewing for a series against the Tigers. The 21-year-old was only recently bumped up to Triple-A. He’ll head to the big leagues after just a dozen games with Syracuse. MLB Pipeline ranks Ewing behind only right-hander Jonah Tong in the Mets’ system. The 2023 fourth-round pick has mashed at every minor league stop. Ewing put up a 147 wRC+ across three levels in 2025. He racked up 70 steals in 124 games. The lefty-swinging Ewing will look to revive an offense that ranks dead last in OPS and wOBA against right-handed pitching. New York is tied for last in scoring with the Giants.

2. Bolte joining A’s

The Athletics are also calling up an outfield prospect. Henry Bolte is expected to join the club against the Cardinals on Tuesday. The 22-year-old has destroyed Triple-A pitching this season, hitting .348 with 12 home runs in 37 games. A second-rounder in 2022, Bolte has steadily worked his way up the Athletics’ system. He’s consistently posted strong offensive numbers, including on the base paths. Bolte has stolen 40+ bases in back-to-back seasons. Strikeouts have been the main drawback, though he’s shown improvement there. Bolte punched out at a massive 34.7% clip in 2024. He trimmed it to 28.9% in 2025, and it’s down to 22% this year.

3. Imai back in the big leagues

Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai is expected to get the ball on Tuesday against the Mariners. He missed just over a month with what the team described as arm fatigue. The NPB import has made three MLB starts, bookending a scoreless appearance against the A’s with two disastrous outings. One of the blowups came against this Seattle lineup. Imai didn’t escape the first inning, walking four and hitting a batter. He has 11 walks in 8 2/3 innings. Imai has a ghastly 54.1% strike rate through three starts, more than 9% below league average. The righty returns to the lineup during a crucial four-game set against an AL West foe. Houston has lost all five games against Seattle this year.

Photo courtesy of Rhona Wise, Imagn Images

Kyle Schwarber has entered the chat. The Phillies’ DH has five home runs in his last four games, propelling him to the top of the league leaderboard. Schwarber is now tied with Aaron Judge with 16 home runs. Munetaka Murakami is one back after “only” homering once over the weekend.

1. Olson moves into the top 10

Braves first baseman Matt Olson was in the lineup for the 823rd consecutive game on Sunday. He moved into the top 10 on the all-time leaderboard, breaking a tie with Gus Suhr (h/t Sarah Langs of MLB.com). Olson’s streak dates back to May 2021. If he can keep it going this season, he’ll pass Eddie Yost (829) and Stan Musial (895) to move to eighth place. The 32-year-old Olson is unlikely to chase down Cal Ripken Jr., but he’s been a remarkably consistent presence in the Atlanta lineup. The veteran has posted a 117 wRC+ or better in each of his first four years with the Braves.

2. “Tater” launches first home run

Tigers infielder Gage Workman broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning on Sunday against the Royals with a two-run homer off Nick Mears. It was the first long ball as a big leaguer for the 26-year-old, whose middle name is synonymous with home run. Workman was a fourth-round pick in 2020. Detroit lost him in the Rule 5 draft last year, but he failed to stick for too long with the Cubs and White Sox. Workman has put together some strong campaigns in the minors, including an 18-homer, 30-steal season at Double-A in 2024. He’s getting a chance in the big leagues with Kerry Carpenter on the IL. “He has crushed Triple-A pitching pretty much all season and has earned his right to be on a callup list whenever the opportunity came open,” manager A.J. Hinch told reporters, including Jason Beck of MLB.com. 

3. Orioles struggling against southpaws

Baltimore will welcome the Yankees to Camden Yards for a three-game series. The Orioles will have two shots to beat a left-handed starter for the first time this season. Per Roch Kubatko of MASN, the club is 0-9 with a .569 OPS against southpaws this season. Ryan Weathers will get the ball for New York on Monday. Max Fried is lined up for Wednesday. Baltimore has multiple lefty mashers performing below career norms. Pete Alonso is hitting .195 with two home runs in 45 plate appearances vs. lefties. He has an .828 OPS against them for his career. Taylor Ward had a massive .311 ISO against lefties last season. That number is down to .167 this year. All sample sizes are relatively small right now, and even more so for handedness splits, but it’s been a slow start for the Orioles against lefties.

Photo courtesy of Kirby Lee, Imagn Images

Munetaka Murakami blasted his 15th home run of the season in yesterday’s 12-8 White Sox loss to the Mariners, and set some big league history in the process.  As per MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, Murakami is the first player to ever hit a homer in eight consecutive series-opening games — Hall-of-Famer Eddie Murray held the previous mark of seven games.

1. Cubs cruising, Reds reeling

April ended with Cincinnati holding a one-game lead over Chicago for first place in the NL Central, but the two clubs’ fortunes have drastically changed in May.  The Cubs completed a four-game sweep of the Reds on Thursday and then extended their overall winning streak to 10 games in yesterday’s 7-1 rout of the Rangers.  On the other hand, the Reds continued their winless month with a dismal 10-0 loss to the Astros on Friday, as Cincinnati has now dropped eight in a row.  The NL Central remains the only division entirely above the .500 mark, but the Reds’ 20-19 record puts the team in last place.

2. The Miz brings the velo

Not to be overlooked in the NL Central race, the Brewers have won seven of their last 10 to improve to 20-16, and Jacob Misiorowski delivered a gem of a start in Friday’s 6-0 shutout of the Yankees.  Misiorowski allowed only two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings while striking out 11, and displayed unreal velocity with 10 different pitches that reached at least 103mph.  Misiorowski’s three offerings of 103.6mph were the fastest pitches on record from a starting pitcher since Statcast began recording velocity in 2008, and Misiorowski has now thrown 11 of the 14 fastest pitches from a starter during the Statcast era.  (Hat tip to MLB’s Sarah Langs.)  Two more impressive young arms meet today as the series continues in Milwaukee, as New York’s Cam Schlittler gets the start against the Brewers’ Kyle Harrison.

3. Snell to make 2026 debut

Blake Snell has yet to pitch this season due to shoulder fatigue, but the Dodgers will activate the southpaw to start against the Braves tonight in a battle of NL division leaders.  While the Dodgers clearly haven’t been held back by an avalanche of injuries to starting pitchers over the last few years, the revolving door continued on Friday when Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day IL due to lower back spasms, opening up a spot for Snell in the rotation.  Glasnow may only miss the minimum 15 days, as L.A. manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including The Athletic’s Katie Woo) that Glasnow might have been able to pitch through the back problem but the club chose to be cautious.

The Yankees are expected to recall outfielder Spencer Jones. His arrival, along with the presence of Aaron Judge, will make New York the first team with two position players 6’7″ or taller, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Maybe the Knicks should give them a call.

1. Diaz reaches 1K

Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz bounced a double over the wall in the ninth inning against the Red Sox on Thursday. It was the 1,000th hit of the 34-year-old’s career. Diaz became the 20th Cuban-born player to reach the milestone. “I really didn’t think I was going to get to this point,” Diaz told reporters, including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, through an interpreter. “So just to be in that list of guys, and obviously the Cuban names as well, is such a great honor.” Diaz didn’t become a full-time player until his late 20s, but he’s put together several productive seasons with the Rays. He’s hit at least .281 in each of the past four years and secured a batting title in 2023.

2. Lodolo to make season debut

Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo is set to start on Friday against the Astros. The 28-year-old opened the season on the injured list due to a blister. Finger-related injuries have been a persistent problem for Lodolo. He missed time in 2024 with a blister. He had two stints on the IL last season, first for a blister, then for a finger sprain. Lodolo was excellent in three rehab outings, posting a 1.50 ERA with a 38.6% strikeout rate. The lefty was a key contributor in Cincinnati’s rotation last season. He delivered a career-high 156 2/3 innings of a 3.33 ERA. His strikeouts ticked down, but he also trimmed the walk rate to an elite 4.8%.

3. Snelling reaches the big leagues

Top prospect Robby Snelling will make his big-league debut tonight against the Nationals. The young lefty put together a stellar 2025 campaign, capped off by a dominant stretch at Triple-A. Snelling has continued to pitch well at the highest minor league level this year, piling up 44 strikeouts in 29 innings. It seems unfair that Jacksonville opponents have had to deal with Snelling, Thomas White, and Braxton Garrett. The 22-year-old gets a surprisingly tough draw in his first career start. Washington ranks fifth in OPS and fourth in wRC+ against southpaws this year. The club is fourth in scoring.

Photo courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images

Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes flirted with history again on Wednesday. The big righty was perfect through 4 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks, until he couldn’t make the play on a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. roller up the third base line. Nolan Arenado followed with a clean single, then Skenes retired the next 10 hitters.

1. Cubs walk it off again

A Michael Busch bases-loaded walk pushed across the winning run for the Cubs in the 10th inning last night. It was their third straight walk-off victory in an important NL Central battle against the Reds. Chicago has won seven in a row. Cincinnati is now last in the division after dropping the first three games of the series. The Reds’ 20-17 record would pace the AL Central, but it’s not enough to get out of the basement on the NL side. With a win on Thursday ahead of a nine-game road trip, the Cubs can go more than a month without losing at Wrigley Field.

2. Rays getting national spotlight

Tampa Bay shut out the Blue Jays on Wednesday behind a strong outing from Shane McClanahan. Ian Seymour slammed the door for his first career save. The Rays have now held opponents to three runs or less in 13 consecutive games, a new franchise record (per MLB). The streak will be on the line against the Red Sox on Thursday evening, with the nation watching. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN, marking the Rays’ first regular-season game on the network since 2021 (h/t Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). “It’s kind of like the ‘first time, long time’ caller on a talk radio station,” broadcaster Karl Ravech said. “It’s the first time, long time for the Rays on a national game for us.”

3. Reynolds joins elite company

Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds singled in the third inning of Wednesday’s matchup against Arizona, giving him 1,000 hits in his career. The 31-year-old is now the fifth Pittsburgh player to record 1,000 hits, 200 doubles, and 140 home runs (h/t Jason Mackey of MLB.com). Pirates legends Roberto Clemente, Andrew McCutchen, Dave Parker, and Willie Stargell round out the group. Reynolds has been a remarkably steady presence in the Pittsburgh lineup since becoming a full-time player in 2021. He’s reached 145 games and 600 plate appearances in five straight years. Before a lackluster 2025, Reynolds had been at least 10% better than league average at the plate during that stretch.

Photo courtesy of Matt Marton, Imagn Images