MLB Player News

Liberatore (3-4) allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 1.2 innings to take the loss against Kansas City on Thursday.

Liberatore got an early lead when St. Louis scored twice in the top of the first inning, but he gave one run back in the bottom of the frame on a Bobby Witt (knee) solo homer. Things got much worse for Liberatore in the second, as the Royals swarmed him for six hits -- five of which were doubles -- en route to six runs. The left-hander ultimately gave way to a reliever after retiring only two batters in that disastrous frame. It was the shortest outing of the season for Liberatore, and he hasn't been providing much depth of late, completing fewer than five frames in three straight outings. He's had a few promising starts this season, but it's mostly been a struggle for the veteran pitcher, who now has an ugly 5.23 ERA and 1.56 WHIP along with a 67:27 K:BB through 72.1 innings spanning 15 appearances.

Atlanta designated Leon for assignment on Thursday.

With Atlanta acquiring Joey Bart (foot) from the Pirates, Leon loses his spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters after going 4-for-44 at the plate with zero extra-base hits and a 0:18 BB:K across 21 games.

Atlanta acquired Bart (foot) from the Pirates on Thursday in exchange for Hunter Stratton.

Bart has spent the last month-plus on the injured list due to a foot infection, but he began a rehab assignment last week and appears ready to make his return to the big leagues with Atlanta, where he'll serve as the backup to Drake Baldwin while Sean Murphy recovers from a broken finger that is expected to sideline him until after the All-Star break. In just 62 trips to the plate this season with the Pirates, Bart slashed .259/.290/.379 with two homers, six RBI, nine runs scored and a 2:21 BB:K.

Soto went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and a walk in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Phillies.

Soto opened the scoring with a solo homer off Aaron Nola in the first inning before taking the veteran right-hander deep again in his next plate appearance to record his second multi-homer performance of the year. Over his last eight games, Soto is batting 14-for-29 (.483) with three homers and has looked locked in at the plate. The 27-year-old is now slashing .300/.398/.582 with 17 home runs, seven doubles, one triple, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored and six stolen bases across 249 plate appearances this season.

Williams earned the save Thursday against the Phillies, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

Williams was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and ultimately got the job done despite some late traffic. The right-hander allowed a run on a Justin Crawford RBI single and put additional runners on base, but he avoided a bigger rally and secured his 11th save of the season. While the overall numbers remain underwhelming Williams has pitched much better of late, posting scoreless outings in 16 of his last 18 appearances. He now owns a 5.18 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB across 24.1 innings on the year.

Nola did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Mets, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.

The veteran right-hander generated 10 whiffs on 97 pitches, with most of the damage coming via a pair of solo homers from Juan Soto. He also allowed an RBI double to A.J. Ewing in the first inning. Despite the solid strikeout total, Nola continues to search for consistency in what has been a difficult campaign. He'll carry a 5.71 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 77:25 K:BB into his next scheduled start on the road against Washington.

Manaea did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Phillies, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings.

Making just his second start of the season, the veteran left-hander threw 63 of his 95 pitches for strikes and generated an impressive 16 whiffs. Philadelphia plated runs in the first, third and fourth innings, with the final run coming home following a throwing error by AJ Ewing. It appears likely that Manaea will remain in the rotation moving forward, with his next scheduled start set to come at home against the Cubs.

Ballesteros was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Elias Schuster of SI.com reports.

Ballesteros will head to Iowa after struggling to a .128 average with one home run, seven RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base over 94 at-bats in his last 34 contests. The 22-year-old will look to hit the reset button at the Triple-A level and then get another shot with the major-league roster down the road this year.

Drohan didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing a run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

It was a strong outing overall for Drohan, with Cleveland's lone run against the left-hander coming on a David Fry homer in the third inning. Overall, Drohan sports a 3.40 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 47:14 K:BB across 47.2 innings as a swingman for Milwaukee this season. He'll likely return to the bullpen when Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is ready to rejoin the rotation.

Turner exited Thursday's contest against the Mets in the third inning after suffering a right calf contusion, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.

Turner took a 79.2 mph sweeper from Sean Manaea off his right calf in the bottom of the first inning, and as a result, he was removed from the contest in the third frame. The shortstop has now been forced out of two of the team's last four games due to being hit by a pitch. In his absence Thursday, Edmundo Sosa has shifted to shortstop while Justin Crawford has entered the lineup in the outfield, batting atop the Phillies' lineup against New York. More information on Turner's status will likely be provided in the near future.