Samwise MLB Newsletter
Friday, June 12, 2026
Ohtani exits with knee inflammation as Dodgers top Pirates 8–6
Shohei Ohtani was removed in the seventh inning with left knee inflammation as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-6 Thursday at PNC Park. The reigning NL MVP hit his 13th homer of the season in the third inning and reached base in all four plate appearances before departing. Manager Dave Roberts called the removal precautionary, saying Ohtani felt discomfort behind the knee. Jack Dreyer (3-1) earned the win in relief, and Tanner Scott retired the final four batters for his seventh save. Pittsburgh rookie Rafael Flores Jr. hit his first career homer in a losing effort.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Scherzer reaches 3,500 strikeouts, becomes 11th pitcher in MLB history
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer became the 11th player in major league history to record 3,500 career strikeouts Wednesday night, striking out Philadelphia Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber looking at a changeup in the first inning at Rogers Centre. The three-time Cy Young Award winner joins an exclusive list led by Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Randy Johnson (4,875). The milestone proved bittersweet — Scherzer allowed five runs over 3⅓ innings as the Blue Jays fell 7-4 to Philadelphia. He is now six strikeouts from tying Walter Johnson for 10th place on the all-time career list.
Tigers blast six homers in 11–0 shutout of Twins
Colt Keith hit his first home run of the season and drove in three runs Thursday as the Detroit Tigers hammered the Minnesota Twins 11-0 at Comerica Park. Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Zach McKinstry and Wenceel Perez also went deep, giving Detroit six home runs on the afternoon. Keider Montero (3-4) allowed four hits and struck out four over 6⅓ innings for the win, and Tyler Holton and Beau Brieske combined to finish the shutout. Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews (2-4) was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in six innings. Detroit took two of three from the Twins.
Sources: CBS Sports · ABC News
Suzuki grand slam snaps Cubs slump in 9–3 win over Rockies
Seiya Suzuki hit a grand slam in the fourth inning and Alex Bregman added a two-run homer in the seventh as the Chicago Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-3 win over the Colorado Rockies Thursday at Coors Field. Suzuki’s slam — his 10th homer of the season — came after Colorado starter Ryan Feltner (2-2) retired the first nine batters. Chicago had scored three or fewer runs in seven of its previous nine games before breaking out for its highest run total since beating Pittsburgh 10-4 on May 27. Carson Kelly added a solo shot in the eighth. Manager Craig Counsell was ejected in the sixth inning.
Sources: CBS Sports · ESPN
Soto homer in seventh lifts Mets past Cardinals 5–4, avoids sweep
Juan Soto hit a go-ahead home run off JoJo Romero (0-2) in the seventh inning Thursday as the New York Mets avoided a series sweep with a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. Alec Burleson’s two-out homer gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead before Bo Bichette’s two-run shot and Jared Young’s homer gave New York a 3-1 advantage. St. Louis answered with Lars Nootbaar’s solo shot and Jimmy Crooks’ two-run homer to retake the lead 4-3. Brooks Raley (2-1) pitched a hitless seventh for the win, and Devin Williams earned his ninth save. Soto’s blast was his 14th homer of the season.
Sources: CBS Sports · ESPN
Alonso caps six-run third as Orioles hold off Mariners 7–5
Pete Alonso capped a six-run third inning with a home run, and the Baltimore Orioles held off the Seattle Mariners 7-5 Thursday night at Oriole Park, salvaging a series split. Adley Rutschman drove in three runs and Colton Cowser added a solo shot. Seattle’s Cole Young, Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone homered against starter Kyle Bradish, who allowed three home runs after not surrendering more than two in his previous 80 major league starts before leaving after four innings. Tyler Wells (1-1) pitched three hitless innings, and Andrew Kittredge earned his first save in the ninth.
Sources: CBS Sports · MLB.com
Phillips earns first win as Marlins complete sweep of Diamondbacks 2–0
Tyler Phillips held Arizona to two hits in five innings Thursday, earning his first win of the season as the Miami Marlins shut out the Diamondbacks 2-0 and completed a three-game series sweep at home. Phillips (1-1) struck out five and walked two on 70 pitches. Relievers Michael Petersen, Anthony Bender and Calvin Faucher combined for six strikeouts, and Pete Fairbanks earned his eighth save. Otto Lopez scored in the first inning on a Xavier Edwards sacrifice fly after Lopez stole third and had the call overturned on review. Jakob Marsee added an RBI single in the fourth to complete Miami’s scoring.
Pirates promote prospect Antwone Kelly for MLB debut Friday
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Thursday they are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Antwone Kelly to the major leagues for his MLB debut. The 22-year-old from Aruba is set to join the bullpen ahead of the club’s home series opener against Miami on Friday. Kelly, ranked the No. 7 prospect in Pittsburgh’s system by MLB Pipeline and No. 8 by Baseball America, posted a 4.50 ERA with a 47:24 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 54 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis. He was a relatively low-profile international signee in 2021 who added velocity as he progressed through the minor league system.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors · Sports Illustrated
American League
AL East
1. Yankees — 40–26, —
2. Rays — 39–25, +0.5
3. Blue Jays — 33–35, +8.0
4. Orioles — 31–37, +10.0
5. Red Sox — 27–38, +12.5
AL Central
1. Guardians — 37–32, —
2. White Sox — 35–31, +0.5
3. Twins — 30–38, +6.5
4. Royals — 28–39, +8.0
5. Tigers — 28–39, +8.0
AL West
1. Mariners — 36–32, —
2. Rangers — 32–34, +3.0
3. Athletics — 32–35, +3.5
4. Astros — 31–38, +5.5
5. Angels — 26–42, +10.0
National League
NL East
1. Braves — 45–22, —
2. Phillies — 36–31, +9.0
3. Nationals — 35–33, +10.5
4. Marlins — 32–35, +13.0
5. Mets — 29–37, +15.5
NL Central
1. Brewers — 41–24, —
2. Cardinals — 36–28, +4.5
3. Cubs — 34–33, +8.0
4. Pirates — 34–33, +8.0
5. Reds — 32–34, +9.5
NL West
1. Dodgers — 43–24, —
2. Diamondbacks — 34–32, +8.5
3. Padres — 34–32, +8.5
4. Giants — 27–41, +16.5
5. Rockies — 25–42, +18.0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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