MLB Player News

Elder (4-6) allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings and picked up the win Monday against San Francisco. He struck out one.

Elder was not sharp in this 108-pitch outing but benefitted from facing off against Giants starter Hayden Birdsong, who failed to record an out, allowing the Atlanta lineup to plate five runs in the first. Since a magnificent 12-strikeout performance at San Francisco on June 7, Elder has struggled with a 8.89 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 21:15 K:BB over 27.1 innings. Across 84.2 total innings, the former All-Star sports a 5.63 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 70:31 K:BB, making him difficult to roster in any fantasy league. The Atlanta right-hander currently lines up to make his next start at Texas this weekend.

Birdsong (4-4) suffered the loss Monday at Atlanta, allowing five runs on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch while not retiring any of the six batters he faced.

This was a disastrous outing for the 23-year-old, as he completely lost his sense of the strike zone, firing just six strikes out of 25 total pitches. Entering this contest, Birdsong has issued four or more free passes in each of his previous three appearances, over which he produced a 7.62 ERA across 13 innings. This poor performance ballooned Birdsong's ERA from 4.11 to 4.80 over 65.2 total innings. The Giants had already skipped a rotation turn for the young right-hander prior to the All-Star break, as his last start came July 6, signaling the team was already considering a relief role for him. Birdsong is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Mets at home this weekend, but it would not be surprising to see the Giants either move him to the bullpen or demote him following this calamitous performance.

Baty went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, a walk and an additional run scored in Monday's 7-5 win against the Angels.

The 25-year-old opened the scoring for his team with a 404-foot, two-run blast off Los Angeles lefty Tyler Anderson in the fourth. This marks the first long ball Baty has hit off a southpaw this season, as he appears to be emerging from a strong-side platoon role into an everyday one, drawing consecutive starts against left-handers. Through 255 total plate appearances, Baty is slashing .237/.295/.431 with 33 RBI and 26 runs scored.

Eldridge (hamstring) has gone 1-for-9 with a walk and two RBI in three games for Triple-A Sacramento since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Thursday.

Eldridge had been on the IL since June 24 due to a hamstring injury, but he was cleared to return to the Sacramento coming out of the All-Star break after he played in a pair of rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League laat week. Since receiving a promotion from Double-A Richmond in early June, Eldridge is slashing .214/.269/.386 with three home runs in 19 games at the Triple-A level.

Senga conceded four runs on four hits and three walks over three innings in a no-decision Monday against the Angels. He struck out five.

The Japanese right-hander struggled mightily in this 73-pitch outing, as he managed to notch only 39 strikes while his fastball averaged 93.6 mph (down from his season mark of 94.6). After allowing a solo homer to Logan O'Hoppe in the second inning, Senga surrendered three additional runs on three hits and two walks in the third, finishing his night. This performance raised the 32-year-old's ERA from 1.39 to 1.79 across 80.2 total innings. Assuming the velocity drop was not indicative of an underlying injury, Senga is currently slated to make his next start at San Francisco this weekend.

Diaz earned the save in Monday's 7-5 victory over the Angels, striking out three in a clean inning.

The right-handed flamethrower hit 98.7 mph on the radar gun, as he succinctly struck out the side on just 14 pitches to lock down the win. Diaz has completed 14 straight scoreless appearances, with his last earned run given up coming June 2 against the Dodgers. Over that span, the New York closer has pitched to a stellar 20:3 K:BB and 0.71 WHIP across 14 innings. Through 39.1 total frames, Diaz sports a 1.60 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 59:14 K:BB while converting 20 of 22 save opportunities.

Bednar earned the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Tigers, allowing one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bednar was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and needed just nine pitches to do so. The 30-year-old remains perfect in save opportunities this season and has now gone 20 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run. He owns a 2.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB to go along with 14 saves across 34 innings.

Winn (undisclosed) struck out a batter and allowed one hit and two walks over a scoreless inning Friday for Triple-A Sacramento after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Thursday.

Winn was shut down April 22 due to an unspecified injury and made four rehab appearances before being reinstated coming out of the All-Star break. The 27-year-old righty has a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster, but he's likely far away from getting another look in the big leagues.

Skenes (5-8) earned the win against the Tigers on Monday, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings.

Despite reports that his innings could be managed down the stretch, Skenes needed just 86 pitches to log his first quality start since June 19 and first win since May 28. The All-Star starter has been dominant in July, allowing just two earned runs with a stellar 27:2 K:BB over four outings. He'll carry a 1.91 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 137:31 K:BB across 127 innings into a home matchup with the Diamondbacks this weekend.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Red Sox, giving up two runs on seven hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out 10.

Wheeler registered double-digit strikeouts for the third time in his last four starts, also recording a whopping 22 whiffs in the process. The All-Star right-hander has now thrown at least five innings in each of his first 20 outings of the season and continues to be a workhorse in Philadelphia's rotation, having now reached the century mark in pitches on 12 occasions as well. Wheeler sports a 2.39 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 164:26 K:BB over 128 frames, and his next appearance is slated for this weekend in a tough matchup against the Yankees in the Bronx.