MLB Player News

Springs (9-7) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings to earn the win over the Astros on Friday.

Springs received ample run support as the Athletics' offense unleashed a six-homer barrage, including four by rookie Nick Kurtz. Springs did well to never let the Astros get close, giving up just a two-run home run to Zack Short in the fifth inning. This was Springs' third quality start in his last four outings, a span in which he's surrendered 11 runs and four homers over 22.2 innings, though he has a 16:2 K:BB in that span. Overall, the southpaw is at a 4.13 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 95:39 K:BB through 120 innings over 22 appearances (20 starts this season). He's lined up for a home start versus the Mariners next week.

Heim went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored and walk in Friday's 8-3 win over Atlanta.

Heim smashed his ninth homer of the campaign and his first since June 25 in Baltimore. The switch-hitting backstop had begun to fall behind Kyle Higashioka (hamstring) for playing time behind the dish, but the former should serve as Texas' top option at catcher at least until the latter is healthy. That said, Heim owns a .681 OPS over 17 games in July, whereas Higashioka has a .963 OPS across his 13 outings this month.

Kurtz went 6-for-6 with four home runs, a double, eight RBI and six runs in Friday's 15-3 win over the Astros.

In a dazzling performance, Kurtz become the 20th player in MLB history and the first rookie to hit four home runs in a single game. His first long ball came in the second inning, a two-run blast that padded the lead to 5-0. He added an RBI double in the fourth before turning up the power late with solo shots in the sixth and eighth frames. Kurtz capped the historic performance with a three-run blast off position player Cooper Hummel in the ninth. In addition to joining the four-homer club, Kurtz also accounted for 19 total bases, tying the all-time single-game mark Shawn Green established in his own four-homer performance for the Dodgers on May 23, 2002. Kurtz is on an incredible tear with nine home runs in his current 12-game hitting streak, during which he has hit .553 (26-for-47) with 20 RBI.

O'Neill went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.

O'Neill smacked a solo shot in the first inning and later added a double in the eighth. In 11 games since returning from the injured list July 4, the 30-year-old has gone 9-for-41 with five extra-base hits, two RBI and five runs scored. On the season, he's slashing .198/.277/.364 with four homers, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored and two steals across just 137 plate appearances.

Montgomery went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 12-5 win over the Cubs.

Montgomery clubbed his third homer of the season, going deep in his third straight game while extending his hitting streak to five games as well. The 23-year-old rookie slugger is splitting time at shortstop and third base in Chicago's infield, and he's off to quite a promising start in his major-league career. Montgomery is slashing .273/.344/.509 with two doubles, one triple and 13 RBI through 62 plate appearances, and his stock is beginning to rise for fantasy managers in need of power at a premium position in deeper leagues.

The Yankees optioned Effross to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Effross was optioned after struggling in Friday's loss to Philadelphia, giving up four runs on four hits with one walk and no strikeouts over one inning. The outing continued a rough start to the second half for the right-hander, who has surrendered eight runs across 4.2 frames since the All-Star break. New York figures to bring up a fresh arm to replace Effross in the bullpen, but that move has not yet been made.

Quero went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 12-5 win over the Cubs.

It was Quero's first career four-hit game, and it was the sixth time he's recorded at least three knocks this season. Although the 22-year-old switch-hitting backstop's fantasy upside remains limited by Chicago's lackluster lineup, he's becoming one of the lone bright spots for the White Sox. Since the start of June, Quero is slashing .301/.362/.430 with two home runs, six doubles and 13 RBI.

The Yankees optioned Vivas to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Vivas' most recent call-up came July 9 after DJ LeMahieu was DFA'd. Vivas had been trading off starts at third base with Oswald Peraza since, but the Yankees found a full-time starter at the hot corner Friday when they traded with Colorado for Ryan McMahon. In Vivas' most recent stint with the Yankees, he went 2-for-10 with an RBI over six games.

Houser (6-2) picked up the win Friday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

With the White Sox putting up multiple runs in four of the first five innings, Houser was cruising along until the seventh inning. The veteran right-hander still managed to post his ninth quality start in 11 outings, and he continues to be a pleasant surprise since joining Chicago's rotation in late May. Houser holds a 2.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB across 68.2 innings, and his expiring contract makes him a logical trade candidate ahead of Thursday's deadline. He's currently projected to next take the hill at home in a tough spot versus the Phillies.

Duran logged a save during the Twins' 1-0 win over the Nationals on Friday after striking out one batter in a perfect ninth.

Duran was brought in to protect the Twins' slim lead and needed just six pitches (five strikes) to dismiss the heart of the Nationals' order, highlighted by his strikeout of James Wood. It was a nice bounceback performance for Duran, who yielded two runs on three hits across two innings in his last outing against the Dodgers on Tuesday. He has a 1.90 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 52:16 K:BB across 47.1 innings this season.