MLB Player News

The Cubs are expected to recall Ballesteros from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Ballesteros went just 3-for-16 during his first MLB stint back in May but has bounced back nicely in the minors since then, slashing .307/.374/.477 with 38 RBI and 28 runs scored over his last 51 games. The corresponding move for the 21-year-old's promotion hasn't yet been announced, though it could foreshadow a move to the IL for Ian Happ, who injured his shin during Tuesday's loss to the Brewers.

Hoerner went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee.

Hoerner singled in the second and fourth innings before knocking a solo shot in the sixth. He snapped a 23-game homerless drought and now has four home runs in 103 games this season, all of them coming in his last 29 contests. In that same 29-game span, he's stolen only five bags and has not swiped any in his last six appearances. Hoerner is slashing .293/.340/.385 with 58 runs scored this year.

Rea (8-5) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over four-plus innings Tuesday, striking out two and taking a loss against Milwaukee.

Rea escaped some early trouble with just two runs allowed through four inefficient innings. He was then charged with two more runs in the fifth inning while failing to record an out in the frame. Rea looked impressive during a four-start winning streak but has since been tagged for 10 runs (nine earned) over nine innings in his last two outings. The veteran righty now owns a 4.25 ERA with a 75:28 K:BB through 106 frames this season. Rea will look to turn things around in his next outing, which is currently slated to be at home against the Reds next week.

Vaughn went 3-for-4 with a home run, six RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

Vaughn singled and scored in the second inning before bringing home a run with a sacrifice fly in the third. He knocked an RBI single in the fifth and capped off his day with a game-sealing grand slam in the sixth. Vaughn has gone deep three times in his last four games and has knocked five long balls in 15 games since joining the Brewers. The 27-year-old has gone 18-for-48 (.375) during that 15-game span. Vaughn is now slashing .227/.268/.408 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI in 63 total MLB games this season.

Ashby allowed a run on one hit and a walk over 3.1 innings Tuesday, striking out two and earning a save against the Cubs.

Ashby entered the sixth inning with two outs and two runners in scoring position. He forced a Matt Shaw pop out to end the threat and would go on to finish the contest. Ashby threw 42 pitches and earned his first save since June 12. He now owns a 2.05 ERA with a 33:12 K:BB through 30.2 frames out of the bullpen. Ashby helped give Milwaukee's other relief arms some rest in Tuesday's 9-3 win and won't see many traditional save chances.

Fedde (3-11) took the loss Tuesday against the Royals, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings.

Making his first start since being acquired by Atlanta, Fedde struggled to settle in, surrendering all four of his runs across the first two innings, including a solo home run to Vinnie Pasquantino in the opening frame. Fedde now owns a 5.33 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 66:49 K:BB across 106.1 innings this season. The 32-year-old will aim for a sharper outing in his next turn through the rotation, scheduled for early next week against Milwaukee.

Priester (10-2) yielded two runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings Tuesday, striking out three and earning a win over the Cubs.

Priester fell one out short of delivering his fourth straight quality start but still moved 9-0 over his last 11 appearances. He gave up one run through five innings before Nico Hoerner knocked a solo shot in the sixth. Priester generated 11 swinging strikes on 86 pitches, including five with his slider. He's produced a 2.49 ERA over his last 12 starts, bringing his season ERA down to 3.27 with an 89:36 K:BB across 107.1 innings. Priester has not been charged with a loss since May 13. He'll look to continue riding the momentum in Atlanta next week.

Soroka didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Astros, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out four.

Soroka struggled with efficiency Tuesday, running his pitch count up to 74 before his night concluded. Two of his hits allowed went for extra bases, and the 27-year-old right-hander remains without a quality start in any of his past five outings. Soroka holds a rough 4.87 ERA across 81.1 frames, although his strong 1.13 WHIP and 87:24 K:BB are perhaps more indicative of the quality of his pitching. He'll remain a shaky fantasy option overall and is a prime candidate to be moved prior to the trade deadline.

Garcia went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Astros.

Although his six-game hitting streak reached a close after he entered as a pinch hitter in Monday's win over Houston, Garcia got right back on track Tuesday and now has at least one hit in his last seven starts. The infielder remains Washington's primary second baseman, but he has routinely been on the bench versus left-handed starters. That said, Garcia is batting a healthy .277 with nine long balls, 19 doubles and 41 RBI through 278 at-bats against right-handed pitching.

Vesia earned the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Reds, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Tasked with protecting a one-run lead, Vesia delivered a clean ninth inning, fanning two batters and allowing no baserunners to secure his fourth save of the season, and his first since July 11. The left-hander has been nearly untouchable of late, giving up just one earned run across his last 15 appearances. Vesia now holds a 2.42 ERA, .90 WHIP and 62:13 K:BB through 44.2 innings this season and remains one of the Dodgers' top high-leverage bullpen arms.