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

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 17 minutes ago
     
  • Set for rehab assignment
    Poche (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 28 minutes ago
     
  • Handling low-leverage role well
    Smith has allowed two runs over nine innings since the start of May.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 35 minutes ago
     
  • Picks up steal in loss
    Blanco went 0-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Padres.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 40 minutes ago
     
  • Solid in no-decision
    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.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 42 minutes ago
     
  • Grand slam in win
    Walker went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 10-5 win over the Mets on Saturday.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 44 minutes ago
     
  • Clubs homer in loss
    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.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 44 minutes ago
     
  • Strikes out 10 in loss
    Manaea (3-2) took the loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

    Advice: Manaea tossed two scoreless frames before Christian Walker hit a grand slam in the third inning and then surrendered two more runs and exited with two outs in the sixth . The 10 strikeouts were a season high for Manaea, and it was the first outing in which he has allowed more than three earned runs since April 13. Through 11 starts, Manaea has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 57:24 K:BB and tentatively lines up to face the Phillies next weekend in the London Series. Rotowire.com 44 minutes ago
    Sean ManaeaNYM - SP,RP
    L, 5-10 vs AZ
    New Player Note
     
  • Homers in loss
    Vientos went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in a 10-5 loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

    Advice: Vientos hit a solo homer off Slade Cecconi in the fifth inning then singled and scored a run in the ninth. After posting three hits on Friday, Vientos followed it up with another multi-hit effort that included his third home run in his past eight games. With Brett Baty being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, it appears Vientos will have a chance to stake his claim at third base for the Mets. On the season, Vientos now has 10 home runs and 39 RBI in 190 plate appearances between Triple-A and the majors. Rotowire.com 46 minutes ago
    Mark VientosNYM - 1B,3B
    L, 5-10 vs AZ
    New Player Note