MLB Player News

Montas did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Brewers, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts over three innings.

Montas entered in the second inning and needed 72 pitches to complete just three innings, though the first two runs he allowed came via an error. It was the 32-year-old's shortest outing of the season, and he now owns a 6.38 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 32:12 K:BB across 36.2 innings. If he returns to the rotation next week, it'll likely be in a home matchup against the Mariners.

Kelly went 3-for-4 with one RBI in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Cardinals.

This was Kelly's third multi-hit effort over seven games in August, and he's batting .364 (8-for-22) in that span. None of those hits have gone for extra bases, but the catcher is at least displaying some consistency at the plate. On the year, he's at a .276/.368/.484 slash line, 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 42 runs scored, 12 doubles and no stolen bases across 78 contests. His .852 OPS is the best of his career, which should allow Kelly to maintain decent playing time even once Miguel Amaya (oblique) returns in the upcoming week.

Myers did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Myers allowed runs in three separate innings, including solo homers in the second and third. It was the 27-year-old's first start since May 17, and he now owns a 4.78 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 23:12 K:BB across just 26.1 major-league innings this season. If Jacob Misiorowski (tibia) isn't able to return from the injured list when first eligible next weekend, Myers could get another turn in the Brewers' rotation against the Reds.

Swanson went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Cardinals.

Swanson had gone 13 games without a multi-hit effort, batting just .174 (8-for-46) with two homers, eight RBI and 19 strikeouts in that span. He was seeing the ball well in this contest, which also allowed him to swipe his first bag since July 22 versus the Royals. The recent slump now has him at a .250/.297/.415 slash line with 18 homers, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and nine steals across 114 games this season.

Shaw went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an RBI triple, a walk and a second run scored in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Cardinals.

Shaw had gone 13 games without multiple hits, batting just .231 (9-for-39), albeit with three homers and four doubles, in that span. The third baseman contributed his hits in the third and fifth innings but wasn't able to threaten for a cycle. The rookie is up to eight homers, 28 RBI, 39 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 15 doubles, one triple and a .227/.292/.383 slash line through 82 games this season.

Megill earned the save in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets, allowing one walk and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Megill was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and struck out the last two batters he faced to secure his second save in as many days. The 31-year-old has now converted 10 straight save chances dating back to July 4, allowing just one earned run over 12 appearances during that stretch. For the year, he's tied for third in the majors with 28 saves to go along with a 2.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB across 41 innings.

Busch went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run, a double and a second run scored in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Cardinals.

Busch opened August just 2-for-21 over his first seven games of the month. The first baseman broke out with a long ball in the second inning that stretched the Cubs' lead to 5-0. He's now at a .266/.351/.505 slash line with a career-high 22 homers as well as 64 RBI, 52 runs scored, four stolen bases, 16 doubles and three triples through 110 contests this season.

Rea (9-5) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

Rea's shutout bid was broken up when Alec Burleson plated a run on a groundout in the sixth inning. This was Rea's first quality start in his last five outings -- he last reached the six-inning mark when he pitched seven frames of one-run ball July 10 versus the Twins. The right-hander is now at a 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 85:31 K:BB through 116.2 innings over 24 appearances (20 starts). Rea is tentatively projected to make his next start on the road against the Blue Jays. With the Cubs facing a stretch of 14 games in 13 days starting Tuesday in Toronto, he should be good to stick in the rotation for a bit longer even if Jameson Taillon (calf) and Javier Assad (oblique) are ready to return around the middle of the month.

Strahm picked up a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over Texas, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

After spending a brief time in a committee at closer with Orion Kerkering amid Jordan Romano's struggles, Strahm has fallen back down the pecking order in Philadelphia's bullpen since Jhoan Duran was added to the mix. With Jose Alvarado also set to be reinstated from his 80-game suspension later in August, Strahm will likely soon have even more competition for high-leverage work. Strahm hasn't seen a save opportunity since July 13 in San Diego, though he does sport a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over his last 13 outings (12.2 innings).

Conforto exited Saturday's game against the Blue Jays in the sixth inning after getting hit on the side of his right knee by a pitch, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Conforto took his base after being hit by the pitch, but Alex Call came on to pinch hit for him later in the six-run inning while the Dodgers were up 9-0. The Dodgers will be facing lefty Eric Lauer on Sunday, so the left-handed-hitting Conforto will likely begin the game on the bench regardless of how his knee is feeling.