MLB Player News

Martinez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Rays.

Martinez was hitless in his return to the majors Saturday, but he followed it up with a better game Sunday. He's had the opportunity to fill in for Steven Kwan (body fatigue) this weekend, though Martinez could later push Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel for a piece of right field once Kwan is able to return to the lineup. Martinez has a .241/.318/.371 slash line with three home runs, three steals, nine RBI and 14 runs scored over 133 plate appearances in the majors this year, though his .274/.356/.456 slash line over 55 games with Triple-A Columbus displays some of his contact-oriented upside.

Rutschman went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Tigers.

This was Rutschman's first homer in nearly a month, and he hit just .175 (14-for-80) over 22 contests between long balls. It's been an unusually long slump for the star catcher, which has seen him drop to fifth in the order after most frequently batting second for most of the season. He's still got some time to set aim for his second straight 20-homer year -- he's one shy now while adding 76 RBI, 63 runs scored, one stolen base and a .254/.324/.400 slash line over 137 contests.

Ward went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Astros.

A late surge has seen Ward slug seven homers over his last 15 games to give himself a career-best 24 long balls this season. He's hit safely in 10 of 13 games in September, going 15-for-46 (.326) in that span. The outfielder is up to a .246/.321/.437 slash line with 68 RBI, 70 runs scored, four stolen bases and 26 doubles over 143 contests this season, and he's regularly hit leadoff over the last month.

Dana (1-2) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Astros.

Dana allowed five runs for the second start in a row, though he was able to pitch fairly well the first time through the order. Four of the five runs on his line came in the fourth inning. Dana now has a 10.45 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB over 10.1 innings through three big-league starts. The 20-year-old offers little fantasy appeal in redraft formats, but this rough first stint in the majors shouldn't impact his long-term outlook. He's tentatively projected for a rematch with the Astros in Houston for his next start.

Heyward went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional RBI, one stolen base and two total runs scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

Heyward opened the scoring with his third-inning homer and added an RBI single an inning later. This was his first multi-hit effort as an Astro, though he's often featured off the bench, going 7-for-26 (.269) over 14 contests since he signed with Houston. Overall, he has a .216/.293/.412 slash line with eight homers, five steals, 34 RBI and 31 runs scored across 77 games between the Astros and the Dodgers. The bulk of Heyward's playing time will come against right-handed pitchers.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out one without being charged with a run over two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

Hader inherited a bases-loaded situation with one out and let all three inherited runners score, but he was able to avoid a total collapse. Caleb Ferguson was charged with all three runs, so Hader was able to log his third scoreless outing over five appearances in September. The closer has 31 saves in 33 chances this year while pitching to a 3.32 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 96:22 K:BB through 65 innings.

Blanco (11-6) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Blanco struggled with a 4.98 ERA over 34.1 innings across seven appearances immediately after the All-Star break. He's since turned things around with a 13-inning scoreless streak over three outings (two starts) in September, though it likely helped that he had a turn through the rotation skipped last week. Overall, Blanco has a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 154:64 K:BB through 156.1 innings this season. If the Astros stick with a six-man rotation this week, Blanco is lined up to face the Angels again, with that outing in Houston.

Bradley (6-11) yielded two runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against Cleveland.

Bradley escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but was charged with a run in each of the second and fifth frames. While he threw 99 pitches despite not finishing five innings, he managed to generate 15 whiffs, including eight from the splitter. Bradley hasn't earned a win since July 25 and has now lost seven straight decisions. During the losing streak, he's posted a brutal 7.88 ERA over nine starts. Bradley will carry a 4.39 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be at home against the Blue Jays.

Lively (12-9) allowed four hits and a walk over five-plus shutout innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a win over the Rays.

Lively worked around a small threat in the first inning but otherwise didn't face much resistance from the Rays' lineup. He gave up two straight singles to begin the sixth inning before Cade Smith came in to clean up the mess. Lively picked up his first win since Aug. 24 and lowered his season ERA to 3.87 through 142 innings. He had given up 10 runs over 10.1 innings in his previous three starts entering Sunday. Lively is projected to make his next start in St. Louis.

Clase struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Rays on Sunday.

Clase needed only 12 pitches (nine strikes) to roll through the Rays for his 45th save of the year. The star closer has converted 32 consecutive save chances dating back to May 20. Clase has been remarkably consistent this season, posting a 0.66 ERA with a 61:8 K:BB through 68.1 frames.