MIAMI (AP) — Steven Matz is moving from the starting rotation to the bullpen after a pair of poor starts by the Tampa Bay Rays left-hander, manager Kevin Cash said Saturday.
Matz, who signed a two-year, $15 million deal with Tampa Bay in December, allowed five runs on six hits, including two home runs, in an 8-0 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. It was his second straight loss and raised his ERA to 5.48 this season.
The 35-year-old had gone on the injured list on May 4 because of left elbow inflammation and returned on May 20. In his last two starts, he has allowed 11 runs, 13 hits and three home runs, while walking two with four strikeouts.
“It's not by any stretch permanent,” Cash said ahead of Saturday's game at Miami. “He will pitch out of the pen for the foreseeable future and then we will reassess.”
Cash said Matz's replacement in the rotation has not been solidified but right-hander Mason Englert, who was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, could work bulk innings in his place.
“We'll figure it out,” Cash said. “I think he'll (be) in line right now to provide a lengthier role on that day, but we're not just going to start him unless we have to.”
Matz went 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA and two saves last season in a career-high 53 appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. He struck out 59 and walked 11 in 76 2/3 innings.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz reacts after giving up a home run to Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Pérez during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in St. Petersburg Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz throws against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
MONACO (AP) — Kimi Antonelli is aiming to continue a remarkable rise to the top of Formula 1 as he starts on pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday with a chance to further stretch his standings lead.
Monaco is the glamorous traditional high point of the F1 season and the 19-year-old Mercedes driver could join some of the sport's greatest names as a winner.
It's almost impossible to overtake on the narrow, twisty street circuit, so his pole position is especially valuable. He starts ahead of two of the most successful F1 drivers ever, with Max Verstappen second for Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton third for Ferrari.
“I just need to get a clean start, don’t try to do the magic start,” Antonelli said Saturday. Hamilton said that to have a shot at winning, he might need rain, which is unlikely to affect the race.
After a winless rookie season, Antonelli took his first F1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix in March and has followed up with wins in Japan, Miami and Canada to lead teammate George Russell by 43 points. He would be the youngest champion in F1 history.
Mercedes has won all five Grand Prix races so far this year and is aiming for a sixth. Russell hasn't won since the opening race in Australia and starts sixth for Sunday's race after admitting he was “bamboozled” by how the Mercedes car better suited Antonelli's driving style.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain during the third free practice for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain smiles after the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands smiles after the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates after setting the pole position during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
