MLB Player News

Acuna went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Padres.

Acuna was cleared to make his 2025 debut Friday after a year-long recovery from an ACL tear in his left knee. The 2023 National League MVP returned in style, taking the first pitch he saw from Nick Pivetta deep to center field for a 467-foot solo home run, the longest homer of the season for Atlanta. Acuna added a single in the third frame and showed his fielding chops in the eighth, when he nabbed Elias Diaz trying to leg out a double. Acuna is expected to be in the starting lineup for Saturday's game but could be rested in Sunday's series finale.

Suarez earned the save in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta after allowing two hits without recording a walk or strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Suarez blew his last two save opportunities, but he got the call to come in for the ninth inning to protect the Padres' one-run lead. He was able to maneuver past two singles -- thanks in large part to a baserunning blunder by Eli White -- to come away with the save after tossing 19 pitches (13 strikes). Suarez has a 2.57 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 21 innings this season, and his 16 saves is second most in the majors behind Andres Munoz (17).

Pivetta allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven across six innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Friday.

Pivetta immediately put the Padres in a hole after yielding a home run to the returning Ronald Acuna on the first pitch of the first inning. Pivetta was able to get out of the first despite allowing two more baserunners, and the veteran right-hander kept Atlanta off the board for the rest of his outing, finishing with nine whiffs on 102 pitches (61 strikes). It was his second straight quality start and sixth of the season, and his 2.72 ERA and 1.01 WHIP (over 56.1 innings) rank ninth and fifth, respectively, among qualified starters in the National League. Pivetta is slated to take on the Marlins at home next week.

Gore exited Friday's game in the seventh inning due to left leg tightness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Gore stayed in the game after getting hit in the leg by a comebacker during the second inning, but it seemed to bother him a bit more by the seventh. The Nationals aren't too concerned about the left-hander's availability going forward, so it sounds like he should be in good shape to make his next start -- tentatively scheduled to come Thursday in Seattle.

Sheets went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

Coming off a two-homer performance against the Blue Jays on Thursday, Sheets showed off his power again Friday with a solo long shot off Chris Sale in the second inning. Sheets is up to nine home runs on the season, six of which have come since the beginning of May. Over that span, he has slashed .313/.333/.627 with 10 runs scored and 17 RBI in 69 plate appearances.

Machado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

Machado -- who was 2-for-24 in his six games prior to Friday's contest -- put the Padres up for good in the ninth inning when he took Raisel Iglesias deep to left field for a solo home run. It was Machado's first home run since May 3 and fourth of the year. The veteran third baseman has had an inconsistent season, but he's third in the National League in doubles (15) and fourth in batting average (.309).

Nimmo was removed from Friday's game against the Dodgers due to neck stiffness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nimmo collided with the outfield wall while chasing down a flyball in the second inning of Friday's contest, and he was replaced in left field during the third inning following a 98-minute rain delay. If the 32-year-old needs to miss any additional starts, Jeff McNeil would be the most likely candidate to pick up time in the outfield with Luisangel Acuna starting at second base.

Gore was removed from his start in the seventh inning Friday against the Giants with an apparent injury, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gore grimaced after throwing a pitch in the seventh inning of Friday's contest, causing him to leave the game early after throwing six innings of shutout ball. It's not immediately apparent what kind of injury the 26-year-old southpaw is dealing with, but the Nationals' training staff will take a closer look at him and report their findings in the near future.

Contreras was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Diamondbacks due to back spasms, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With Contreras removed from the Cardinals' lineup, Alec Burleson will shift over to first base, Brendan Donovan will move to left field and Nolan Gorman will start at second base. Contreras has slashed .299/.385/.493 with three home runs and 16 RBI across 78 plate appearances since the beginning of May.

Wilson (migraine) will start in left field and bat eighth Friday against the Athletics.

Wilson departed Wednesday's game early due to a migraine, but after a few recovery days, he's feeling well enough to fill in for Max Kepler against left-handed starter Jacob Lopez.