MLB Player News

Pauley went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's extra-inning win over the Royals.

Getting the start at third base and batting eighth, Pauley swiped his first career bag in the majors. While speed isn't seen as a big part of his game, the 24-year-old did go 23-for-28 on steal attempts across three levels in the Padres' system in 2023, and he's 6-for-6 this season between Triple-A Jacksonville and the Marlins. Pauley is expected to fill the strong side of a platoon at third base while Connor Norby (wrist) is on the shelf, and through 34 games this season with Jacksonville he's slashed .258/.338/.492 with seven homers and 17 RBI.

Reynolds went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored Friday against the White Sox.

Reynolds enjoyed a productive game Friday, but he's struggled throughout July. He's gone just 5-for-44 with a 40 percent strikeout rate across 12 games, chipping in only one RBI and two runs scored. Reynolds is a potential trade candidate which could boost his outlook, but he has a disappointing .660 OPS across 92 games this season.

The Cardinals hope Nootbaar (ribs) will be ready to begin a hitting progression as soon as Monday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar landed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left costochondral sprain, an injury which had kept him in and out of the lineup since late June. The outfielder will be eligible for activation July 23, but it sounds unlikely that he will be ready on that date. With Nootbaar shelved, the Cardinals had Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker in the corner outfield spots in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Cruz went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base Friday against the White Sox.

Cruz was out of the lineup for the final game before the All-Star break with a hip flexor injury but appeared as a pinch hitter in that game and then participated in the Home Run Derby. Accordingly, it wasn't a surprise that he was able to return to the lineup Friday, and he was one of the few bright spots in the lineup as he tallied two hits, drove in the Pirates' only run and swiped his 30th base of the season. While Cruz has been relatively unproductive across the last 30 days, he currently has a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 8-for-19 with one home run, three RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases.

Profar went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's win over the Yankees, and David O'Brien of The Athletic reports that Atlanta manager Brian Snitker could consider leaving the veteran outfielder in the leadoff spot even after Austin Riley (abdomen) returns to the lineup.

In three games since Riley landed on the IL, Profar has hit at the top of the order and reached base six times, while Ronald Acuna has dropped down to third and gone 3-for-11 with three extra-base hits. Riley typically hits third, but he could find himself lower in the order when he gets healthy. "I kind of like [Acuna] there," Snitker said after Friday's game. "I like that top three right there [with Matt Olson batting second], I think that's pretty good. I've always envisioned [Acuna] being that guy. We'll see, but I don't think Austin's gonna care where he hits either." Since returning to the lineup in early July following an 80-game PED suspension, Profar is slashing .288/.302/.538 with four doubles, three homers, eight RBI and nine runs in 12 contests.

Manaea came away with a no-decision in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Reds, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over four innings. He struck out six.

Making his first start and second appearance of the season after a lengthy recovery from a spring oblique strain and then elbow trouble in June, Manaea was sharp but got lifted after only 69 pitches (42 strikes), as the Mets prioritize his long-term health and having him available for a playoff push later in the year. The decision to give the 33-year-old lefty the hook cost New York, as the bullpen immediately coughed up a 2-1 lead. Manaea should get stretched out enough to at least work five innings and qualify for a win in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Angels.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and a two-run home run in Friday's 8-4 win over the Mets.

Starting at DH and batting seventh, Stephenson socked the fourth of Cincinnati's four homers on the night by taking Alex Carrillo deep in the sixth inning. The blast snapped a 21-game homerless drought for Stephenson, as the 28-year-old backstop went into the All-Star break slashing just .176/.275/.221 during that slump. On the season, he sports a .727 OPS with seven home runs and 29 RBI in 55 contests.

Lodolo (7-6) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over seven innings in an 8-4 victory over the Mets. He struck out seven.

It was lucky 7s all around for Lodolo to begin the second half, as he racked up 32 called or swinging strikes on 97 pitches (62 total strikes) en route to his third straight quality start and 12th of the season. The 27-year-old southpaw hasn't given up more than three runs in a start since June 11, posting a 2.34 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 34:7 K:BB over his last six outings and 34.2 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road next week against the Nationals.

Sheehan is slated to start Saturday's game against the Brewers at Dodger Stadium, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After tossing 4.1 innings in bulk relief behind starter Shohei Ohtani in his most recent appearance July 12, Sheehan will pick up his third start of the season with the Dodgers for his first outing of the second half. Over his three big-league appearances to date, Sheehan has maintained a tidy 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB in 13.1 innings, but he could nonetheless find himself at risk of losing his spot in the rotation once Blake Snell (shoulder) likely returns from the 60-day injured list in late July or early August.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that May will be used out of the bullpen in Monday's game against the Twins as part of a pitching tandem with Shohei Ohtani, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

May's upcoming relief appearance will be his first at the big-league level since 2020, though Roberts suggested it would be a "one-off" arrangement. Though May doesn't appear to have lost his spot in the rotation, the Dodgers are hoping that working behind Ohtani will yield better results for the 27-year-old, who was roughed up for seven earned runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings against the Giants in his final start before the All-Star break. Roberts said that the Dodgers are planning to limit Ohtani to three innings Monday, so May should be well positioned to come away with a win if he's able to exit the relief appearance with Los Angeles in the lead.