MLB Player News

Manaea (1-2) took the loss Thursday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on three hits and one walk in 4.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Manaea fanned a season-high eight, but he permitted at least four runs in his fourth consecutive start after giving up four runs across his first four appearances of 2025. The left-hander has yet to pitch at least six frames in any of his first eight outings, and he's watched his ERA for the season soar from 2.08 on July 28 to 5.15 following Thursday's showing. Manaea does have a strong 1.12 WHIP and 45:8 K:BB across 36.2 innings, which do offer some reasons for optimism ahead of a difficult assignment against the division-rival Phillies next week.

Imanaga (8-6) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out five.

Imanaga was sharp Thursday, holding Milwaukee to just two runs on a Brice Turang homer in the second inning. However, the Cubs failed to generate enough run support to back the left-hander in an eventual 4-1 defeat. Imanaga has turned in four straight quality starts, allowing just seven runs across 27 innings in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.03 with a 0.94 WHIP and 90:21 K:BB across 19 starts (110 innings) this season.

Yates (back) is expected to be activated from the injured list Saturday, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Yates has been sidelined since late July and is currently on a rehab assignment. He managed one scoreless inning with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and will likely make at least one more appearance prior to being activated. Tanner Scott (elbow) is expected to be activated Friday, so Yates isn't likely to be a prolific source of saves.

Ohtani (thigh) is expected to return to the lineup Friday against the Padres, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was removed from Wednesday's game after taking a comebacker to the thigh while on the mound. He briefly remained in the contest, suggesting the injury isn't serious. This report confirms that, but it will still be worth ensuring he is back in the lineup for Friday's game.

Dollander (2-10) took the loss Thursday against the Dodgers, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out five.

The nine hits given up matched a season high for Dollander, who also set a season worst in runs allowed. The rookie right-hander has now walked multiple batters in six straight major-league starts, and he's failed to get through at least five innings in 10 of his 18 big-league outings in 2025. Dollander has a dreadful 6.91 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 68:40 K:BB over 82 frames, so he should likely be avoided in most fantasy settings next week in Houston.

Kershaw (8-2) earned the win Thursday against the Rockies, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

It was Kershaw's fourth straight outing of at least five innings, though he yielded greater than one run for the first time during that stretch and fell one out short of qualifying for a quality start. The veteran southpaw has conceded greater than three runs on just three occasions among his 16 starts this season, although he's fanned at least five just three times. Kershaw has a steady 3.13 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB across 83.1 frames, and he's next set to draw a favorable home matchup against a Reds team with a .627 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of July.

Megill earned the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Cubs, allowing one hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Megill has allowed just one earned run in his last 15 appearances (14.1 innings) while striking out 18 in that span. The 31-year-old right-hander has converted 30 saves this year, good for third most in the majors, while posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 55:14 K:BB across 44 innings.

Priester did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Cubs. He allowed a run on three hits and five walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.

While Priester held the Cubs to a lone run, he failed to make it out of the fifth inning after throwing 95 pitches and issuing a season-high five free passes. The 24-year-old Priester has struggled of late, allowing nine runs over 14 innings in his last three starts after posting a 2.47 ERA in his previous 16 outings (91 innings). He'll look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Diamondbacks.

Ortiz has been diagnosed with a left hamstring injury after exiting Thursday's win over the Cubs in the fifth inning, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The severity of the injury isn't yet known, but Ortiz will presumably undergo further testing. His status for Friday's series opener against the Giants is uncertain. Andruw Monasterio filled in at shortstop in place of Ortiz on Thursday and would be the logical candidate to step in at the position if Ortiz needs to miss time.

Brasier allowed two runs on three hits and a walk across an inning of relief in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Brewers.

Brasier didn't take the loss Thursday, but he didn't help the Cubs stay in the game either. The veteran righty has been scored upon in six of his last eight appearances, and he has a rough 14.85 ERA during that stretch. Overall, Brasier now has a 4.50 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 26 innings this season, and he's not among Chicago's high-leverage bullpen options at the moment.