MLB Player News

Sears (7-10) allowed five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings to take the loss versus the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Sears' debut for the Padres wasn't pretty, as the Diamondbacks were able to plate at least one run in each of the first four innings. The southpaw has allowed 19 runs (17 earned) across his last five starts (23.1 innings). Overall, he has a 5.12 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 101:30 K:BB through 116 innings across 23 starts between the Athletics and Padres. Sears' first home outing for the Padres is expected to be this weekend against the Red Sox.

Stephenson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a 3-2 win against the Cubs.

Stephenson got the scoring started in the contest with a 389-foot solo shot in the second inning, giving him nine long balls on the campaign. The backstop has reached base in nine of his past 17 plate appearances, including six times via walk. Stephenson has a solid 11.7 percent walk rate on the season, though he's also posted an ugly 34.7 percent strikeout rate.

Borucki threw 1.2 scoreless innings without allowing a baserunner and striking out two Monday against the Giants.

The Pirates' bullpen was taxed after a short start from Johan Oviedo, and Borucki was relied upon for key innings late in the game. He delivered a strong performance in his first appearance since being activated from the injured list Friday and could be used in a setup role or other high-leverage spots to close the season.

Pagan notched a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Pagan entered in the ninth inning with Cincinnati up 3-2. He battled for a seven-pitch strikeout of Seiya Suzuki, then fanned Carson Kelly on six pitches before getting Willi Castro to ground out to end the game. Pagan had given up four runs (three earned) over his previous three appearances, so this was a much-needed smooth outing for him. The right-hander is up to 24 saves on the season, tied for seventh-most in the majors.

Megill earned the save in in Monday's 3-1 win over Atlanta, throwing a spotless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The save was Megill's 25th of the year, and he hasn't given up a run since the start of July. The 31-year-old right-hander has just about been a lights-out closer for the Brewers in 2025 -- Megill owns a 1.52 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB over his last 29.2 innings since the beginning of May.

Collins went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and a walk in Monday's 3-1 win over Atlanta.

With his seventh round tripper of the year, Collins has now logged at least one hit in 13 of his last 15 outings. The switch-hitting outfielder is certainly worth a look in deeper mixed fantasy leagues while he's running hot -- Collins is slashing .315/.421/.490 with six homers, 28 RBI, 28 runs scored and five stolen bases over his last 47 games since the start of June.

Alonso went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to Cleveland.

Following a dreadful July that saw him post a .548 OPS over 85 at-bats, Alonso is quickly embarking on an early power surge to open August. The All-Star first baseman has three long balls in four outings so far this month, and Monday marked his seventh game of the year with at least four RBI. The four hits also established a new season high for Alonso.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Monday's 3-2 loss that Soroka (shoulder) is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The club is presumably still in the process of running more tests on Soroka's shoulder, but the right-hander's injury is considered significant enough that he'll need to be shelved for at least two weeks. Acquired from the Nationals ahead of the trade deadline, Soroka lasted just two innings in his Cubs debut, striking out three while giving up one earned run on one hit and one walk before exiting with shoulder discomfort. Ben Brown tossed four innings of one-run ball in long relief and is likely the leading candidate to replace Soroka in the rotation.

Swanson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Swanson swatted his first home run since July 13 in the third inning, giving him 17 long balls for the season to go along with 54 RBI across 110 contests. In 14 games since that last homer, the Chicago shortstop had fallen into a 10-for-50 slump with 22 strikeouts before leaving the yard Monday. Swanson should still play nearly every day despite his recent downturn in production, though the acquisition of Willi Castro before the trade deadline gives the Cubs another option in the middle infield, which could lead to more days off for both Swanson and Nico Hoerner moving forward.

Brown allowed one run on two hits across four innings of relief in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds. He struck out five.

The newly acquired Michael Soroka made the start for the Cubs, but he only lasted two innings in his team debut before departing due to right shoulder discomfort. Brown was then thrust into action, and the young righty responded with one of his best performances over the past few months. Soroka had seemingly pushed Brown out of the rotation upon his arrival in Chicago, but it remains to be seen if the former has to miss any extended time. If he does, Brown and his 6.04 ERA could be back in a starting role at least temporarily, though the Cubs do also have Jameson Taillon (calf) likely returning from the injured list in the near future.