MLB Player News

Kepler went 3-for-8 with a two-run home run across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Padres.

After a 1-for-4 showing in the matinee, Kepler took Dylan Cease deep in the fourth inning of the nightcap to get the Phillies on the board in an eventual 5-1 win. It was Kepler's 10th long ball of the season, but he's struggled to put together a prolonged hot streak -- since the beginning of June, the 32-year-old outfielder is slashing just .183/.287/.354 with four homers, 10 RBI and 11 runs in 26 contests.

Realmuto went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres.

The veteran catcher was rested for the nightcap. Realmuto has been racking up hits over the last month, batting .333 (23-for-69) since June 9, but his last home run came back on May 21 -- and that was at Coors Field. On the season, he's slashing .252/.316/.365 with five homers, five steals, 28 RBI and 32 runs in 71 contests.

Rojas went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Padres.

The 24-year-old swiped a bag in each end of the twin bill, getting the start in center field in the matinee before coming on as a pinch runner in the nightcap. Rojas hasn't been caught stealing since May 25 and has gone 11-for-13 on stolen base attempts this season, but that remains his only reliable fantasy skill -- he's slashing .227/.278/.303 through 148 plate appearances with one homer, 15 RBI and 19 runs.

Sanchez (7-2) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The southpaw continued to dazzle, as he delivered his sixth straight quality start on 85 pitches (60 strikes). Sanchez has gotten sharper over the course of the streak, not allowing a walk or a homer in any of his last four outings, and since the beginning of May he's posted a 2.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 69:17 K:BB through 69.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Cease (3-8) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, giving up four runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Homers by Max Kepler in the fourth inning and Brandon Marsh in the fifth accounted for most of the damage off Cease. It was the first time this season the right-hander didn't issue any free passes, but the third time he served up multiple long balls, including each of his last two starts. Cease will take a 4.62 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 121:36 K:BB through 97.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come early next week against the Diamondbacks.

Yelich went 1-for-7 with a solo home run and a pair of walks in Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Mets.

Yelich got the Brewers on the board in the nightcap with an opposite-field homer off Blade Tidwell, his 17th this season. The 33-year-old Yelich has been on a tear of late, going 22-for-58 (.379) with four homers and 19 RBI in his last 14 contests. Overall, he's slashing .259/.337/.460 with a team-high 61 RBI, 43 runs scored and 12 stolen bases through 347 plate appearances this year.

Hays started in left field and went 1-for-5 in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Boston. He went 0-for-4 as the DH in the first game, a completion of Tuesday's suspended contest.

Wednesday's regularly scheduled meeting between the two clubs was the first time Hays played the field since being activated off the injured list in late June. He'd missed nearly a month with a foot injury but appears ready to handle whatever role manager Terry Francona has planned for him.

Ashcraft (groin) threw about 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Molly Burkhardt of MLB.com reports.

Ashcraft is closing in on a return following a couple of bullpen sessions over the weekend and then Wednesday's batting practice. The next step could be a brief rehab stint, or the Reds could opt to activate him, as the right-hander has completed the 15-day minimum on the IL.

McCarthy went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to San Francisco.

McCarthy singled twice and extended a hit streak to seven contests, during which he's gone 8-for-26 (.308) with one walk, one triple, two home runs and six RBI. This has been a much better version of the player seen in April (.073/.170/.098), and it looks like McCarthy will stick with the Diamondbacks even when Corbin Carroll (wrist) is ready to come off the 10-day injured list.

Naylor started at designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and an RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Giants.

Naylor returned to the lineup after missing four games due to a neck injury. He eventually moved to the field to play first base for the 10th inning.