MLB Player News

Skenes didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 12-3 loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The 24-year-old ace tossed 103 pitches (62 strikes) en route to his first quality start since May 12 and his sixth of the season, but Skenes left the mound with the score tied 2-2 before watching the Pirates' bullpen implode in a 10-run seventh inning for the Dodgers. Skenes will take a 2.84 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 89:15 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Marlins.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 12-3 rout of the Pirates.

The veteran first baseman's RBI single in the seventh inning gave Freeman a big personal milestone, as it was his 2,500th career hit, most among all active players. Freeman turns 37 in September, but he seems to have plenty left in the tank, slashing .284/.366/.481 through 64 games on the season with 10 home runs, two steals, 35 runs and 36 RBI. Freeman's current contract runs through 2027, but a realistic shot at becoming the first player since Miguel Cabrera to reach 3,000 hits might encourage the future Hall of Famer to stick around.

Pages went 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 12-3 rout of the Pirates.

The 25-year-old center fielder got two plate appearances in the Dodgers' 10-run seventh inning, belting a two-run homer off Wilber Dotel before adding a sacrifice fly when his spot came around again. Pages has gone yard in back-to-back games, although he sat out Sunday's contest in between, and on the season he's slashing .282/.326/.528 with 15 home runs, seven steals, 39 runs and 56 RBI in 66 games.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 12-3 rout of the Pirates, allowing two runs on three hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Back-to-back solo homers by Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn in the first inning put Lauer in danger of getting a quick hook, but the veteran southpaw kept his focus and stuck around until finally leaving the mound after 89 pitches (64 strikes) just shy of his second quality start of the season. Lauer has been outstanding since being scooped up by the Dodgers following a rough beginning to the year with the Blue Jays, delivering a 2.76 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 16.1 innings over three starts. As long as he remains effective, he'll give Los Angeles little reason to promote a prospect like River Ryan, but Lauer's leash is likely short. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rays.

Woodruff (shoulder) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in his first rehab start with the Brewers' Arizona Complex League affiliate Tuesday.

The bottom-line results aren't what you want, but Woodruff did strike out five and got his pitch count up to 68. Per Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com, Woodruff averaged a shade under 91 mph between his four-seamer and sinker, which is down from his season average of 92.2 mph but up significantly from the mid-80s he was throwing in his final start before going on the injured list in late April. Woodruff is working on a lower arm slot, and he might need a couple more rehab outings to get comfortable before he rejoins the Milwaukee rotation.

Baldwin (oblique) is slated to take live batting practice Thursday and Friday and could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett over the weekend, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Baldwin still has a couple more boxes to check in his recovery from a Grade 1 right oblique strain, but Atlanta still appears to be earmarking him for a return from the 10-day injured list for the start of their six-game homestand, which begins next Tuesday. Assuming all goes well during his upcoming pair of live BP sessions, Baldwin will likely catch at least one game with Gwinnett over the weekend to prove that the oblique strain is behind him. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year had gotten off to a hot start to his sophomore campaign before getting hurt, slashing .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, one stolen base, 38 RBI and 39 runs over 48 games.

Taylor went 2-for-4 with a walk, one RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Reds.

Taylor has picked up a steal in each of the last two games. The outfielder was originally brought up to provide depth after the Padres designated Nick Castellanos for assignment last Wednesday. Taylor has now started three straight games in left field, including two against right-handed pitchers. If Taylor can continue to hit, it will likely lead to him competing for playing time with Gavin Sheets and Miguel Andujar (hamstring), though Taylor will probably settle into a platoon role at best in the long run.

Tatis went 4-for-6 with a double and one run scored in Tuesday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Reds.

Tatis was also caught stealing once, dropping him to 15-for-23 on the basepaths this season. The 27-year-old has made consistent contact this month, going 12-for-34 (.353) over eight games in June. Power is still lacking for him -- just three of those hits, all doubles, have gone for extra bases. Overall, Tatis is batting .278 with a .681 OPS, one home run, 19 RBI, 24 runs scored, nine doubles and a triple over 65 contests.

Giolito allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and five walks while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Reds on Tuesday.

Giolito threw just 43 of 85 pitches for strikes, leading to a short outing. It was also his fielding error in the third inning that led to the Reds' second run. Giolito has fallen short of the five-inning mark in three straight starts after reaching it in his first two outings of the year. He's now at a 4.35 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 14:18 K:BB through 20.2 innings over five starts. Until the walk rate gets under control, he'll be a risky fantasy option. He's projected to make his next start on the road in St. Louis.

Myers went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Tuesday's 5-3 extra-innings win over the Padres.

Myers didn't start the contest but came in as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. He has hit safely in his last four games, going 5-for-9 in that span after an 0-for-6 stretch over his previous four contests. On the year, Myers is batting .269 with a .770 OPS, three home runs, four steals, 12 RBI and 17 runs scored through 108 plate appearances. He continues to play in a short-side platoon role in center field.