MLB Player News

Kremer didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 9-8 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander was surprisingly taken deep by Myles Straw for a two-run homer in the second inning, but otherwise Kremer was fairly effective over his 87 pitches (56 strikes). He's allowed three runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts, posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB through 47 innings over that stretch. He faces another tough test in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Philadelphia.

Straw went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Orioles.

The ball was flying at Camden Yards, and Straw's two-run shot off Dean Kremer in the second inning flew comfortably over the left-field fence even though the light-hitting outfielder didn't think he'd gotten all of it as he left the batter's box. It was Straw's first multi-hit performance since June 26, and through 56 plate appearances in July he's slashing .229/.315/.375 with four doubles, one homer, two steals, six RBI and 11 runs. With Daulton Varsho (hamstring) poised to come off the IL this weekend, Straw's playing time will take a major hit, but he seems to have earned a key spot on the bench for the Blue Jays.

Hummel went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Nationals.

Hummel has started seven of 13 games since the All-Star break, four of which have come against lefties. He's struggled mightily at the plate since joining the Astros on June 14, with the homer marking only his third extra-base hit across 86 at-bats. Hummel has also hit .174 with a 28.2 percent strikeout rate in that span.

The Tigers acquired Sewald (shoulder) from the Guardians on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Sewald was diagnosed with a moderate teres major strain over the All-Star break and is not expected to be ready to pitch for the Tigers until early September, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. The veteran reliever holds a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 15.1 innings this season.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run Wednesday against the Nationals.

Diaz delivered his 15th home run of the season in the sixth inning and has now gone deep in consecutive games. He's picked up his performance considerably across July, homering five times with nine RBI and 10 runs scored across 19 contests. After a very slow start to the season, Diaz has topped a .700 OPS for the first time since Opening Day.

Hoffman struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 25th save of the season in a 9-8 win over the Orioles.

After getting tagged for losses in non-save situations during his prior two appearances, Hoffman was locked in as he converted his eighth straight save chance dating back to June 29. Over that span, the right-hander has posted a 3.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB through 12 innings.

Berrios came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Orioles, giving up five runs (two earned) on six hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

A throwing error by Ernie Clement extended the first inning for the O's and helped lead to three runs, and Berrios wound up leaving the mound after 73 pitches (49 strikes) when Jordan Westburg took him deep for a two-run shot in the fifth. It's the third time in his last six starts that Berrios has failed to last five innings, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 5.83 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 29.1 innings. He'll try to get back on track in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Colorado.

The Astros are bracing for the possibility of Paredes requiring season-ending surgery to address a torn right hamstring, a procedure that would keep him out for around 6-to-7 months, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Houston hasn't provided official word on the extent of Paredes' right hamstring strain since he was placed on the injured list July 20, but the 26-year-old appears to have received unfavorable news after undergoing further testing. Citing a league source, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reported Wednesday that Paredes' injury has been deemed significant enough to keep him out for two months, though his recovery timeline would be extended to next spring if surgery is necessary. Before Paredes decides whether to go under the knife, he's expected to receive a second medical opinion later this week. In anticipation of Paredes missing extended time, the Astros acquired Ramon Urias from the Orioles on Wednesday to bolster the left side of the infield.

Montgomery went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Phillies.

Montgomery popped his home run in the fourth inning, his fifth long ball in his last eight starts. He's also struck out one time or fewer in each of those games, good for a 15.6 percent strikeout rate. The ability to make consistent contact was a major question for Montgomery upon his promotion, but he's handled big-league pitching well in his limited sample.

The Guardians acquired Stephen (shoulder) from the Guardians on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow), Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Stephen, a 22-year-old righty who was drafted in the second round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, has had an excellent season across three levels of the minors. He dominated Single-A and High-A hitters alike (1.75 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 97:17 K:BB in 87.2 innings) before earning a promotion to Double-A New Hampshire on July 20. He made one start for New Hampshire and landed on the 7-day injured list July 24 with a shoulder impingement that is considered mild, per SI.com. Stephen's 5.1 percent walk rate on the season illustrates his pinpoint control, and he has a full starter's repertoire, highlighted by a fastball with good carry that touches 96 miles per hour.