MLB Player News

Ray (9-6) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings to take the loss versus the Padres on Tuesday.

Ray allowed all four runs over the first four innings, including a two-run home run to the light-hitting Jose Iglesias in the second. The winless stretch is up to seven starts for Ray, but this marked just the second time in that span in which he allowed more than two runs. He's at a 2.98 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 152:56 K:BB through 148 innings over 25 starts this season. The veteran southpaw is projected for a rematch with the Padres in San Diego early next week.

Laureano went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Giants.

Laureano got some rest Monday after a stretch of going just 2-for-15 across four games. He bounced back with a multi-hit effort in his return to the lineup, which also included his first steal for the Padres. On the year, the veteran outfielder is 5-for-8 on steal attempts, though he's made up for a drop in speed by having a career year as a hitter. He's batting .290 with an .882 OPS, 16 home runs, 54 RBI, 51 runs scored, 19 doubles and two triples across 93 games between the Padres and Orioles. Laureano's production has been fairly steady between the two teams, so he should continue to see a near-everyday role.

Iglesias went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Giants.

Iglesias restored the Padres' lead at 3-1 when he took Robbie Ray deep in the second inning. This was Iglesias' first homer of the year, and it came with the reserve infielder taking a turn at designated hitter. He's now at a .234/.305/.285 slash line with 27 RBI, 23 runs scored, nine doubles and four stolen bases across 265 plate appearances. He's looking at career-low numbers in nearly every area, and he won't get many chances to add to them as a part-time player in a strong offense.

Merrill went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Giants.

Merrill slumped late last week, going 0-for-14 over a four-game stretch, but he's bounced back against San Francisco pitching. He's 5-for-8 with three extra-base hits over the first two games of the series, with the homer being his second across 11 contests in August. Overall, the outfielder is up to nine long balls, 51 RBI, 42 runs scored, 17 doubles, one stolen base and a .741 OPS across 87 games this season.

Cortes allowed a run on six hits and a walk while striking out six over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Tuesday.

Cortes was an out shy of qualifying for the win. He threw 79 pitches (54 strikes), just three more pitches than he had in his San Diego debut last Wednesday, so it's possible the Padres will keep some limits in place. He's allowed a total of three runs on nine hits and four walks over 9.1 innings over his two starts with the Padres. The southpaw is tentatively scheduled for a rematch with the Giants early next week, which will be in San Diego.

Goodman went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Goodman popped his 23rd home run of the season in the fourth inning. That snapped what had been a cold start to the Rockies' road trip, as Goodman entered Tuesday's game having gone just 2-for-16 across his last four games. While four of Goodman's six home runs since the All-Star break have come at home, he has performed equally well on the road overall this season.

Vodnik allowed one hit and struck out three across 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Vodnik took over for starter Kyle Freeland in the eighth inning with runners on first and second, but he struck out both of the batters he faced to get out of the inning. He then had a routine ninth inning to earn his third save of the season. This was Colorado's first converted save since Seth Halvorsen (elbow) landed on the 15-day injured list, so Vodnik appears to be the team's top choice to handle closer duties. His ability to hang onto the role should be in question, however, as he has allowed at least one earned run in five of his last eight appearances.

Parker (7-13) took the loss Tuesday against the Royals, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three in 5.1 innings.

Parker allowed five batters to reach and saw all five come in to score. He made one big mistake to Vinnie Pasquantino, who turned on an inside fastball for a three-run blast. Parker otherwise was able to induce weak contact and his box score looks far worse than his actual outing. Still, the left-hander has now given up 17 earned runs and four homers across his last three starts and lines up to complete a two-start week against the Phillies this weekend.

The Marlins shut Tinoco (forearm) down from throwing Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Tinoco wasn't bouncing back from a throwing session the way the team had hoped, so Miami has shut him down for the time being. A new timeline for the 30-year-old's recovery should emerge once the Marlins re-evaluate him, though there's a good chance his setback will delay his return until late August or September.

Liberatore (6-10) took the loss against the Rockies on Tuesday, surrendering three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings .

The left-hander was sharp early, setting down the first nine batters he faced, but ran into trouble in the fourth when Hunter Goodman belted a two-run homer that put St. Louis behind for good. The outing marked the 25-year-old's fifth consecutive start in which he's failed to complete five innings, and the loss extended his skid to four straight decisions without a win. Liberatore is slated to take the mound again early next week against Miami carrying a 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 88:28 K:BB over 118.1 innings.