Veteran infielder Chris Taylor is not retiring. The 35-year-old has reversed course, instead going on the minor league injured list with a fractured forearm. Taylor split last season between the Dodgers and Angels. He re-upped with the Angels on a minor league deal this year.
1. Melton nearing return
Tigers right-hander Troy Melton could be activated today against the Orioles. The 25-year-old opened the season on the IL with an elbow injury. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reported earlier this week that Melton would be in the mix for Sunday’s game. Detroit has a doubleheader today after Saturday’s matchup in Baltimore was rained out. Evan Woodbery of MLive.com pointed out that right-hander Keider Montero has been bumped to Tuesday, which would suggest an alternative option starting today (like Melton). Melton has a 1.54 ERA over four minor league outings. He emerged as an important swingman during last year’s postseason run.
2. Kurtz matches Henderson
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz singled in the first inning on Saturday against the Padres. The base hit pushed his on-base streak to 46 games, tying him with Rickey Henderson for the third-longest single-season run in franchise history. Jimmie Foxx is next on the list at 47 games. Mark McGwire sits atop the franchise leaderboard with a 48-game on-base streak in 1996. After a slow start to the season, Kurtz has put together a tremendous six-week stretch. He’s up to 6th in the league among qualified hitters in wRC+. Kurtz’s .444 OBP is 25 points ahead of the next-closest player.
3. Corbin outduels Skenes
Blue Jays lefty Patrick Corbin delivered six innings of one-run ball against the Pirates on Saturday, earning the win. It was the veteran’s first time completing six innings since August 2025. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. Corbin comfortably outpitched Paul Skenes, who allowed four earned runs over five innings. Skenes has allowed nine earned runs over his past two starts, after he opened May with two scoreless eight-inning outings. George Springer launched a leadoff home run to open the scoring. Toronto chased Skenes in the sixth inning with four consecutive hits. He finished with just two strikeouts, his worst mark since the fateful Opening Day start against the Mets.
Photo courtesy of Junfu Han of USA Today, via Imagn Images
