MLB Player News

Gray (elbow) struck out a batter and allowed no hits and two walks over 1.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start Sunday with High-A Wilmington. He also hit a batter.

Gray returned to the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last July and handled a light workload, tossing 34 pitches (18 strikes) before departing. He'll likely continue to get stretched out over the course of two or three more rehab starts, though he likely doesn't have enough time left in the season to get built up to handle a typical starter's workload. Even so, Gray still looks to be a candidate to return from the Nationals' 60-day injured list by the end of September to serve as a reliever or as a piggyback starter.

Svanson struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up a hold in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Svanson has quietly had a terrific rookie season in the Cardinals' bullpen and has been particularly dominant in the second half, collecting a 0.74 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB over 24.1 innings. The 26-year-old is earning more and more high-leverage opportunities, having picked up four holds over his last seven appearances.

Sheets went 2-for-5 with a solo home run during Sunday's 8-1 win over the Rockies.

Sheets came into the contest hitless with five strikeouts in his last 11 at-bats, but he broke out of the brief skid with a pair of hits, including a home run. Since the start of August, Sheets is 23-for-67 (.343) with four homers and eight doubles. He is now one long ball away from hitting the 20-homer milestone for the first time in his career.

Machado went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, an RBI walk and a double during Sunday's 8-1 win over the Rockies.

After going 0-for-9 in the first two games of the series, Machado delivered a pair of hits and three total RBI in Sunday's finale, highlighted by a two-run home run off Tanner Gordon in the first inning. The 33-year-old is slashing .280/.320/.389 with 23 home runs this season. He ranks fourth among third basemen in round trippers.

Merrill went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored during Sunday's 8-1 win over the Rockies.

The Padres reinstated Merrill from the 10-day injured list Monday, and the center fielder went 1-for-13 with four strikeouts in his first five games. He broke out of the slump in a major way Sunday, delivering a pair of extra-base hits, including a second-inning home run off Tanner Gordon. The long ball was Merrill's 10th in 406 plate appearances this season, which falls well short of his 2024 pace of 24 home runs in 593 plate appearances.

Gordon (5-6) took the loss Sunday against San Diego, allowing six runs on six hits and one walk across 3.2 innings. He struck out five.

Gordon surrendered three home runs: one in the first inning to Manny Machado, one in the second inning to Jackson Merrill and one in the fourth inning to Gavin Sheets. The outing marked Gordon's first time allowing multiple homers in a start this season and snapped an excellent stretch of play. In four starts leading up to Sunday's appearance, Gordon posted a 2.74 ERA and a 19:6 K:BB across 23 innings. He went 3-0. The 27-year-old is slated for a rematch with the Padres next weekend but will have the benefit of pitching away from Coors Field.

Cease (7-11) picked up the win Sunday against the Rockies, allowing one run on four hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out five.

Cease navigated Coors Field effectively, keeping the ball in the park and allowing just one extra-base hit -- a double to Orlando Arcia in the third inning. Sunday's outing snapped a streak of five consecutive outings allowing multiple runs. Cease hasn't pitched into the sixth inning in five straight appearances, and hasn't done so in eight of his last nine. Cease will carry a 4.71 ERA into his next projected start, which is scheduled to be a rematch with the Rockies next weekend.

Sproat (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks over six innings Sunday, striking out seven and taking a loss against the Reds.

Sproat was promoted for his MLB debut Sunday and delivered a quality start. He gave up just one run through five innings before the Reds scored a pair in the sixth. He tossed 58 of his 88 pitches for strikes, but he forced only six whiffs. Sproat has a deep arsenal, led by his sinker that averaged 95.9 mph Sunday. As of now, the 24-year-old would be lined up for a home start against Texas next weekend, but it's unclear if he'll stay in the rotation.

Greene (6-4) allowed a run on one hit and two walks over seven innings Sunday, striking out 12 and earning a win over the Mets.

Greene gave up a solo homer to Brett Baty in the third inning but was otherwise untouchable in a huge win Sunday. It was Greene's longest start since April 13, and he tied his season high with 12 punchouts. He also matched his season best with 21 whiffs, including 11 with his fastball that averaged 100.2 mph. The flamethrowing righty now owns a 2.59 ERA with a 113:19 K:BB through 90.1 innings this season. Greene has produced a 2.35 ERA with a 40:5 K:BB in five appearances since returning from the injured list. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Athletics next weekend.

Santillan allowed a run on two hits in one inning while earning a save over the Mets on Sunday.

Santillan coughed up a one-out solo homer to Juan Soto but hung on to finish off the 3-2 victory. It was Santillan's first save since August 19, and he's converted five of his eight chances this season. He now owns an impressive 2.63 ERA with a 66:25 K:BB through 65 frames. Emilio Pagan pitched Friday and Saturday, and he was not available during Sunday's win.