MLB Player News

Witt went 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run during Friday's 8-3 loss to the Mets.

Witt is up to 14 straight games with a hit after notching a multi-hit performance Friday, the sixth time he's had multiple hits during his streak. The hot stretch has covered the entirety of July, so it makes sense that this has been Witt's best month from a hitting standpoint. The All-Star shortstop is slashing .400/.436/.629 this month with two doubles, two homers and seven RBI.

Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and scored twice in Friday's 12-3 win over the Tigers.

Rodriguez snapped out of a cold streak in emphatic fashion, launching a 440-foot two-run shot off Tarik Skubal in the fifth inning, his first homer since June 23. The 24-year-old had gone just 5-for-41 (.122) with two RBI over his previous 10 games entering Friday, but he may be showing signs of regaining his power stroke. Even during his slump, Rodriguez has remained locked into the heart of Seattle's lineup, and a blast like this could spark a much-needed turnaround.

Mangum went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base Friday against the Red Sox.

Mangum remains the Rays' regular left fielder, though he notably hit third in the lineup for the first time since June 20 and only the fourth total time this season. He extended his hitting streak to four games and also tallied his second stolen base in that span. Mangum should remain a solid source of batting average and stolen bases in the second half of the campaign.

Wacha earned a no-decision after throwing five innings, alllowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out five, during Friday's 8-3 loss to the Mets.

After allowing 21 hits combined over his last three starts spanning 15 innings, Wacha surrendered just two hits and one run in his five innings against the Mets. It's the seventh time the 34-year-old has surrendered one run or fewer in his 19 starts, and he'll enter the All-Star break on a high note. He ends the first half with a 3.74 ERA,1.27 WHIP and a 84:33 K:BB in 106.0 innings

Raleigh went 2-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in Friday's 12-3 win over the Tigers.

Raleigh put on another show, launching a solo shot in the eighth before blasting a grand slam an inning later, pushing his league-leading home run total to 38, just one shy of tying the MLB record for homers before the All-Star break. While the 28-year-old is now batting just 6-for-36 (.167) over his last 10 games, all six hits have left the yard, a testament to his elite power even amid contact struggles.

The White Sox returned Ellard to Triple-A Charlotte following Friday's doubleheader against Cleveland.

Ellard struck out a batter while tossing a scoreless inning during the first game of the twin bill. Now that his duties as Chicago's 27th man have been fulfilled, the 27-year-old will return to Triple-A, where he owns a 3.27 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 11 innings.

Skubal (10-3) took the loss Friday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings in the 12-3 defeat to the Mariners.

Skubal kept the Mariners in check early but ran into trouble in the fifth, surrendering a two-run homer to Julio Rodriguez as part of a three-run frame that ended his day. It marked the ace's shortest outing since April 20 and just the fourth time all season he's allowed more than three earned runs. Despite the setback, the left-hander still owns a stellar 2.23 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 153 strikeouts through 121 innings this season.

Caratini went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

Caratini left the yard for the 10th time this season Friday, clearing the right-field wall to account for two of Houston's three runs in the game. The 31-year-old has a hit in four straight games and has been red-hot to start July, slashing .345/.323/.724 with two doubles, three homers and 11 RBI. The latter two numbers already have matched or eclipsed his highs from any other month this season, and there are still 15 games on the schedule before the calendar turns again.

McCullers (2-4) took the loss after throwing three innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five, during Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

McCullers' struggles on the season continued as he failed to make it through five innings for the sixth time in 10 starts. He needed 83 pitches to get through three innings, an alarming level of inefficiency, The 31-year-old has a 6.48 ERA on the season, well off the eighth-year pro's career 3.60 ERA. With 49 strikeouts in 41.2 innings this year, he's still striking out batters at a decent rate, but he must bring down his allowed walks (26) and home runs (nine) if he's to find his form again after the All-Star break.

Castillo (6-5) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings while striking out six in the 12-3 victory over the Tigers.

Castillo shined early, yielding just one earned run through the first five innings before running into trouble opening the sixth, allowing back-to-back hits and another run before being removed with a runner on third. The 32-year-old entered the matchup coming off his best start of the season and has now posted a 3.60 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 11 walks over his last six outings.