MLB Player News

Valdez (8-8) earned the win against the Pirates on Monday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Valdez was cruising along over four scoreless innings initially, but Pittsburgh got to him for four of his five runs allowed in the sixth inning. The left-hander continues to put forth an up-and-down debut season with the Tigers, conceding four earned runs in back-to-back outings to follow up a pair of quality starts to begin August. Valdez is set to bring a 4.35 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 111:54 K:BB over 138.2 innings into a soft matchup against the lowly Royals in Kansas City.

Barnett (1-4) took the loss against the Royals on Monday, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

Barnett struggled mightily Monday, landing only 45 of his 83 pitches for strikes in a laborious outing. The right-hander isn't making a strong case to maintain his rotation spot once Jeffrey Springs (hip) returns from the injured list, surrendering three runs or more in four consecutive appearances while failing to log a quality start during that span. Through 40.2 innings, Barnett has a poor 7.08 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 38:24 K:BB.

Wacha (6-8) earned the win against the Athletics on Monday, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out three.

Wacha had trouble keeping the ball in the yard Monday, serving up a season-high-tying three home runs. The veteran right-hander remains a mostly dependable member of Kansas City's rotation, pitching at least five innings in all but one of his 25 starts on the year while giving up more than four runs just three times. Wacha will bring a steady 3.58 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 120:41 K:BB over 155.2 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Tigers.

Rafaela went 3-for-5 with three doubles, one RBI and two runs scored during Bostons' 11-1 win over Arizona on Monday.

Rafaela set a career high with three doubles in Monday's blowout win, and it was high ninth three-hit game of the year. The 25-year-old center fielder has stepped up his production this year, which earned him a spot on the American League roster for the All-Star Game. Rafaela is slashing .288/.325/.470 with 16 steals (in 23 attempts), 16 home runs and 64 RBI over 503 plate appearances this season, and his 32 doubles are tied with Alec Burleson for most in the majors.

Durbin went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, two runs scored and a steal during the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Monday marked the seventh time this season (and fifth time since the All-Star break) that Durbin recorded at least three hits in a game. The 26-year-old third baseman has been on a tear at the plate since the break, slashing .330/.411/.446 with five steals, three home runs, 22 RBI and a 12:17 BB:K over 131 plate appearances.

Gasper went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and an RBI groundout during Boston's 11-1 win over Arizona on Monday.

The Red Sox needed another bat in the lineup after Masataka Yoshida (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday and Jahmai Jones (undisclosed) was a late scratch from the lineup. Gasper got the call from Triple-A Worcester, and he contributed immediately with a solo long ball in the seventh inning, his first in the majors this season and third of his big-league career. He could see additional reps at DH if Jones' absence extends beyond Monday's series opener.

Sogard went 2-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored during the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Sogard helped the Red Sox jump out to an early lead with an RBI double in the second inning before coming home to score in the fourth on a double from Ceddanne Rafaela. It's the second time this season that Sogard has cracked two doubles in a game, and he's settled into an everyday role at second base with trade deadline acquisition Curtis Mead (wrist) on the injured list. Sogard is slashing .248/.355/.333 with six RBI and eight extra-base hits across 126 plate appearances this season.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored during the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

All nine Red Sox starters drove in at least one run during Monday's rout, with Contreras contributing with a solo homer over the Green Monster in the fifth inning. The veteran first baseman has been in a bit of a slump at the plate since August, but his long ball against Arizona was his 25th of the season, surpassing his previous career high that he set in 2019 with the Cubs. For the year, Contreras has a .924 OPS (fourth-best in the majors) with 73 RBI and three steals across 469 plate appearances.

Bello (5-6) was credited with the win against Arizona on Monday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three across 4.2 innings.

Alec Gamboa served as Boston's opener, recording the first four outs before turning the keys over to Bello in the second inning. Bello allowed two singles in that same frame but escaped without issuing a run, and he kept the Diamondbacks off the board until the fifth inning on a Geraldo Perdomo sacrifice fly. Bello finished his outing having generated six whiffs and six groundouts while tossing 50 of his 76 pitches for strikes. Across 11 bullpen outings, he sports an 0.85 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 45:7 K:BB over 52.2 innings. The Red Sox appear content with their five-man rotation, but Bello should continue to see work in a bulk-relief role when interim manager Chad Tracy wants to give his starters some extra rest.

Rivera was placed on the restricted list Monday.

It's not clear at this time as to how long Rivera will be away from the team. He can be considered day-to-day until more information on his availability comes to light.