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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Saturday, April 18

Nolan Gorman Homers in Cardinals' 7-5 Win Over Astros

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Nolan Gorman contributed to the St. Louis Cardinals' 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night by hitting one of the team's three home runs. Gorman's blast was part of an early offensive surge that helped the Cardinals secure their second consecutive win of the series. His power hitting continues to be a vital component of the St. Louis lineup as they improved their season record to 11-8. Gorman's performance helped support a strong starting effort from right-hander Andre Pallante.

Andre Pallante Earns Second Win in Cardinals' Victory Over Astros

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Right-hander Andre Pallante delivered a strong performance Saturday night, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros. Entering the game with a 1-1 record and a 4.80 ERA, Pallante's effort helped the Cardinals build on their 11-8 season record. The win was supported by a three-homer offensive outburst. Pallante successfully navigated the struggling Houston lineup at Daikin Park to lower his season ERA and secure his second win of the 2026 campaign.

Chris Sale Dominates Phillies to Secure Braves' Series Victory

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Chris Sale led the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 divisional victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, continuing his dominance over the rival squad. Sale's performance anchored a pitching staff that was effective from beginning to end, limiting the Phillies' offense despite a debut home run from Felix Reyes. The win secured another series victory for the Braves. Sale's ability to shut down Philadelphia's hitters proved to be the difference-maker in this key divisional clash.

Sidelined from Lineup and Rebuts Manager's Comments

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Salvador Perez was not in the lineup for the Kansas City Royals' game against the New York Yankees this Saturday, April 18. While no specific injury details were provided, Perez notably rebutted manager Matt Quatraro's suggestion that he was receiving a "mental breather." The Royals' captain apparently took issue with the manager's characterization of his absence. Perez remained idle for the matchup as the team's official lineup card confirmed he would not start the contest.

Assists Hawaiian Twins in Reaching Trailblazer Series

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Former MLB catcher Kurt Suzuki, currently associated with the Los Angeles Angels, provided assistance to a pair of Hawaiian twins to help them reach the Trailblazer Series. The veteran's involvement highlights his continued commitment to supporting youth baseball and players from his home state. While Suzuki is no longer an active player on the roster, his mentorship and resources were instrumental in providing this opportunity for the young athletes to showcase their skills on a larger stage.

Returns to Giants and Shares Moment with Tony Vitello

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Drew Gilbert has returned to the team, marking a significant step in his progression. Upon his return, Gilbert shared a lighthearted and hilarious moment with Giants skipper Tony Vitello, which was captured during team activities. The interaction between the young outfielder and the manager underscores the positive clubhouse atmosphere as Gilbert rejoins the active group and prepares to contribute to the Giants' upcoming slate of regular season games.

Cade Smith Dominates Orioles to Secure Fifth Save of the Season

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Cade Smith earned his fifth save of the season in Saturday's 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Smith was perfect in the ninth inning, striking out all three batters he faced to seal the win for the New York Yankees. The dominant performance highlights Smith's reliability in high-leverage situations as he continues to anchor the bullpen. His three-strikeout appearance ensures the Yankees maintain their momentum against a division rival while Smith continues his strong 2026 campaign.

James Wood Homers and Scores Three Runs in Extra-Innings Loss

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James Wood delivered a productive performance despite the Washington Nationals' 7-6 extra-innings loss to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. Wood finished 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a hit-by-pitch, and two walks. He drove in two runs and crossed the plate three times, showcasing his ability to reach base and generate offense. Wood's multi-faceted contribution included significant plate discipline and power, though it wasn't enough to secure a win in the closely contested matchup.

Complains About Opener Usage as Manager Dismisses Concerns

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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Eric Lauer expressed public dissatisfaction with pitching behind an opener, a strategy the team has utilized recently. However, manager John Schneider dismissed the pitcher's complaints, stating that such tactical decisions are "above his pay grade." The friction highlights a disagreement over role usage within the Blue Jays' pitching staff, though Schneider indicated he does not mind the strategy regardless of Lauer's personal preference for traditional starts.

Dominates Red Sox with 10 Strikeouts in Win at Fenway Park

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Tarik Skubal (3-2) delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, earning the win against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The left-hander allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters across six innings of work. Showcasing elite control in the Tigers' 4-1 victory, Skubal lowered his ERA and proved why he is considered a Cy Young contender. He now holds a 3-2 record on the season following this high-impact start at the historic Fenway Park venue.

Kirby Yates Set for Multiple Rehab Outings Before Activation

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Los Angeles Angels reliever Kirby Yates remains on the injured list as he recovers from a knee injury. According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, Yates still needs to gain weight and increase his velocity before he can be activated for major league action. The veteran right-hander will require several rehab appearances to build up his strength and refine his mechanics. There is currently no firm timeline for his return, as the team prioritizes his physical conditioning and arm speed during this phase.

Walks Prove Costly as Mets Suffer 10th Consecutive Defeat

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Freddy Peralta took the mound for the New York Mets in a 4-2 loss against the Chicago Cubs, marking the team's 10th consecutive defeat. While Peralta was effective for much of the afternoon, two sixth-inning walks with two outs proved large, ultimately costing the team a chance to win. The Mets are currently tied for the worst record in MLB at 7-14, having been outscored 60-18 during this slide. Peralta's performance was part of a duel that ended in another frustrating New York loss.

Struggles with Command in Loss to Brewers on Saturday

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Sandy Alcantara (2-2) took the loss against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday after struggling significantly with his control. The right-hander surrendered three runs on five hits and issued a season-high six walks while striking out only one batter across five innings. The Marlins fell 5-2 in the contest as Alcantara's inability to find the strike zone consistently allowed Milwaukee to build an early lead. He will look to refine his command in his next scheduled outing for Miami.

Seeks Improved Command in Sunday Start at Coors Field

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Sasaki has struggled with command early in the season, with two of his starts lasting only four innings and another going five innings. He will face Michael Lorenzen in the series finale. The Dodgers are hoping the young phenom can find his rhythm and provide more length in the thin air of Denver as he looks to overcome his recent control issues and command struggles.

Scheduled to Start Sunday Afternoon Against the Dodgers

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Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen is set to take the mound on Sunday, April 19, for a daytime contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. This matchup concludes a four-game series in Denver. Lorenzen will face off against Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki in a high-altitude battle. The Rockies are looking for a strong performance from the veteran right-hander to secure a win in the final game of the series against their divisional rivals from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Phillies Place Closer Jhoan Duran on 15-Day IL with Oblique Strain

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The Philadelphia Phillies placed closer Jhoan Duran on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a mild left oblique strain. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, as confirmed by manager Rob Thomson. Duran's injury sidelines the reliever as he begins his recovery process. In a corresponding roster move, the team called up Felix Reyes from the minors to bolster the bullpen depth while Duran is unavailable. The team will monitor Duran's progress as he works to return to the active roster.

Starts at First Base in Saturday's Matchup vs. Toronto

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Jose Fernandez is in the starting lineup for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 18, playing first base against the Toronto Blue Jays. Fernandez is slated to bat seventh in the order. His inclusion at first base provides the Diamondbacks with defensive coverage and another left-handed bat in the lower third of the lineup. He will be part of the effort to support the Arizona pitching staff as they face a competitive Blue Jays squad in the middle game of their home series.

Starts Behind the Plate for Saturday's Game vs. Blue Jays

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Adrian Del Castillo is named as the starting catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Del Castillo will bat eighth in the lineup while managing the pitching staff from behind the plate. As a young backstop, his role in calling the game and providing defensive stability is essential for the Diamondbacks as they look to navigate the Blue Jays' hitters and secure a win in the second game of the series at Chase Field.

Starts in Right Field for Blue Jays Against Diamondbacks

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Nathan Lukes is included in the Toronto Blue Jays' starting lineup for their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 18. Lukes will start in right field and bat leadoff for the Blue Jays. The outfielder is tasked with sparking the Toronto offense at the top of the order as they face Arizona's pitching staff. His inclusion reflects the team's current outfield rotation and their efforts to find a spark during their road trip in Phoenix against a tough National League opponent.

Starts at Shortstop for Saturday's Game Against Toronto

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Geraldo Perdomo is in the starting lineup for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 18, facing the Toronto Blue Jays. Perdomo will handle shortstop duties and bat ninth in the order. Known for his defensive reliability and ability to turn the lineup over, Perdomo's role is crucial for the Diamondbacks' infield defense. He joins a lineup bolstered by the return of Lourdes Gurriel as Arizona seeks to maintain their momentum in the weekend series against the visiting Blue Jays.