MLB Player News

Baldwin went 2-for-3 with three walks in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Orioles.

Baltimore wanted nothing to do with Baldwin after he singled in his first two trips to the plate in an eventual 11-inning win for Atlanta. The 25-year-old backstop has hit safely in five straight games, and over 10 contests since returning from his first All-Star Game appearance, he's delivered a sizzling .436/.542/.821 slash line with five homers, a steal, nine runs and 10 RBI.

Thornton (heel) struck out two batters and allowed one hit over a scoreless inning of relief in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Pirates.

Thornton was forced out of his prior appearance in Monday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to Detroit when he was struck on the left foot by a comebacker, with the reliever later getting diagnosed with a heel contusion. He was able to avoid a stint on the injured list, and after a few days of rest and recovery, Thornton stepped in to pitch a scoreless eighth inning in the Cubs' final game in Pittsburgh. Thornton has ascended into a key late-inning role in an injury-plagued Cubs bullpen, but he could fall down the pecking order soon. Daniel Palencia (elbow) is close to beginning a rehab assignment and could be back from the injured list before the middle of August, and Chicago could also add another high-leverage piece or two to its bullpen ahead of next Monday's trade deadline.

Atlanta optioned Hicklen to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Hicklen has gone 7-for-19 during his limited chances with the big club, but he hasn't played much lately and his reps would have dipped further with Ronald Acuna coming off the injured list. The 30-year-old will report to Gwinnett, where he will see more regular playing time.

Atlanta activated Acuna (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Acuna has been cleared to return to action after missing more than a month with a left hamstring strain. He split time between right field and designated hitter while on a rehab assignment, but Atlanta plans for Acuna to go back to being its everyday right fielder.

Cavanaugh went 2-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Angels.

Cavanaugh hit a leadoff single in the third inning and added another base hit in the seventh. Additionally, he drew a walk in the ninth before coming around to score San Francisco's final run. The 24-year-old catcher has recorded at least one plate appearance in four straight games and continues to split playing time with Daniel Susac. Cavanaugh is now slashing .262/.392/.262 with three runs scored and two RBI across 53 plate appearances this season.

Arraez went 2-for-5 with a two-RBI double in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Angels.

Arraez singled in the first inning and hit a two-run double in the ninth, albeit in a losing effort. The 29-year-old infielder has logged multiple hits in three straight games and is now batting .308 with eight RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases across 85 plate appearances in July. Overall, he's slashing .327/.363/.451 with 50 runs scored, 40 RBI, eight stolen bases and four long balls in 438 plate appearances this season.

Alvarez is slated to work in a bulk-relief role Monday versus the Blue Jays, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Eddy Yean will take the ball first as an opener, but Alvarez will absorb the brunt of the innings for Washington on Monday. Alvarez has struggled in his last three outings (two starts, one bulk relief appearance), yielding 11 runs over 12 innings.

Yean will serve as the opening pitcher for the Nationals in Monday's game versus the Blue Jays, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Yean will draw his first MLB start after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings covering his first three appearances with Washington. He'll likely cover an inning or two before giving way to left-hander Andrew Alvarez, who is in line to work as the Nationals' bulk reliever.

Gurevitch clubbed five home runs last week for High-A Peoria, bringing his season total to 20.

A third-round selection in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Gurevitch's first full pro season has been a dandy, as he's turned in a .297/.384/.547 batting line with 20 long balls and a 40:107 BB:K. He's been particularly good in July, posting a 1.145 OPS. The 22-year-old Gurevitch has split his time between first and third base this season.

Nootbaar (illness) drew a walk and fouled out in two plate appearances off the bench in Sunday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Reds.

Nootbaar didn't start Sunday's game after exiting Saturday's 7-0 win when he experienced dehydration and lightheadedness. However, his absence from the lineup Sunday likely had more to do with the Reds starting a lefty (Andrew Abbott), as Nootbaar entered the game once Abbott exited. Nootbaar will be available to play Monday against the Cubs, though with lefty David Peterson slated to start, Nootbaar isn't guaranteed to be included in the lineup.