MLB Player News

Doyle went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Thursday's 9-5 loss to the Dodgers.

Doyle blasted his 13th homer of the season, also racking up at least four RBI for the third time this year. The speedy center fielder has been a big disappointment overall following a breakout 2024 campaign -- he has a .683 OPS in 2025 -- but he's working toward closing out another losing season for the Rockies on a high note. Since the All-Star break, Doyle is hitting .395 with six homers, 19 RBI, 16 runs scored and three stolen bases over 86 at-bats.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 9-5 win over Colorado.

The All-Star first baseman extended his hitting streak to six games Thursday, and the homer was his 16th of the year. Freeman slumped a bit back in June and the early part of July, but he's found his groove at the plate over the past month or so. Across his last 33 games (143 plate appearances), Freeman is slashing .323/.399/.540 with six round trippers, nine doubles, 25 RBI and 19 runs scored.

Cease (6-11) earned the win Thursday against the Giants, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.

Though the six hits were his most allowed since July 2 in Philadelphia, Cease produced 13 whiffs en route to fanning at least seven for the fourth time in his last five starts. The right-hander continues to offer fantasy managers plenty of strikeout upside, as he has 178 punchouts over 137.2 innings, but he's been unable to reach his top form consistently with a 4.71 ERA for the season. Cease will be aiming for better run prevention his next time out, which is slated for next week at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park against the Mariners.

Verlander (1-10) took the loss Thursday against the Padres, allowing seven runs on seven hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Following a season-best outing in innings and strikeouts against the Rays on Aug. 16, Verlander surrendered a season-worst seven runs Thursday. The veteran right-hander made it through three spotless frames before the Padres got to him, and it was the sixth time this year that he couldn't last at least five innings. Verlander has a shaky 4.64 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 99:37 K:BB over 110.2 frames, and he'll remain difficult to trust from a fantasy perspective in a tough matchup against the Cubs next week.

Gore didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Mets, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

It was just the third time all season that Gore was unable to make it through five innings, and each of those instances have come following the All-Star break. The All-Star left-hander is showing signs of fatigue since the second half began, submitting a 7.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 32:18 K:BB over his last seven outings (32 innings). Things are unlikely to get much easier for Gore in next week's scheduled appearance against the Yankees, who have a robust .990 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of August.

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.