MLB Player News

Matsui (2-1) earned the win over San Francisco on Friday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over three scoreless innings.

San Diego deployed a bit of an unusual pitching progression, opening with reliever Bradgley Rodriguez for one inning before going to Matsui for three frames and finishing with veteran starter German Marquez for the final five . All three hurlers pitched well, and Matsui got the victory with three scoreless frames that included just one hit. The left-hander completed three innings for the first time as a major-leaguer, throwing 49 pitches (32 strikes). Matsui isn't seeing a ton of high-leverage work, but he's having his best big-league season to date, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 45:24 K:BB while collecting six holds through 31 appearances spanning 41.2 innings.

The Mets optioned Curry to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

After pitching five innings out of the bullpen Friday, Curry will head back to Triple-A so the Mets can add another fresh arm in the form of Kevin Herget. Curry has given up four runs in 11 innings this season, which should keep him in consideration for a return to the majors later in the year.

Atlanta designated Hernandez for assignment Saturday.

Hernandez pitched three innings Friday to record the first save of his career, but he'll now be pushed out of Atlanta's bullpen to make room for a fresh arm in the form of James Karinchak. Hernandez has now allowed just one run in six big-league innings this year, but he still carries a 5.03 ERA across his MLB career.

Atlanta recalled Karinchak from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Karinchak has given up just two earned runs in 9.2 innings with the big club this season, and he'll now return to Atlanta to take on a middle-relief role. He'll replace Elieser Hernandez, who was designated for assignment.

The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

After giving up seven runs (six earned) in 3.2 innings following the All-Star break, Svanson will lose his place in St. Louis' bullpen to make room for the arrival of Quinn Mathews. Svanson owns a 7.27 ERA through 43.1 frames this season -- a sharp decline from his 1.94 ERA in 2025 -- but could still return to the majors if he rights the ship in Triple-A.

The Cardinals designated Hence for assignment Saturday.

Hence will lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Quinn Mathews, who was called up to start Saturday's game against Toronto. Hence has spent the entire season at Triple-A Memphis and owns a 6.64 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 20.1 innings.

The Cardinals selected Mathews' contract from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

After posting a 3.13 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 92 innings at Memphis, Mathews will make his MLB debut Saturday against a Blue Jays lineup that's put up just a .642 OPS since the All-Star break. His promotion gives the Cardinals six starters in their rotation, though the 25-year-old could claim a permanent spot with the big club if St. Louis trades away another starter before the deadline Monday. Matt Svanson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Mathews on the active roster, and Tink Hence was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

Chaparro went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to Atlanta.

The 27-year-old replaced Luis Garcia (knee) in the seventh inning and took Elieser Hernandez deep in the ninth. Chaparro is up to six homers in the majors this season, and five of them have come in 10 games since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's batting .360 (9-for-25) with two doubles, eight runs and 13 RBI. Garcia's name was already showing up in trade rumors, and if he's removed from the picture at first base either due to injury or being dealt, Chaparro could get more consistent playing time over the final weeks of the season.

Benge went 3-for-4 with a double in Friday's loss to the Marlins.

The Mets managed just seven hits total on the night, so Benge's big night didn't lead to any offense, but the rookie outfielder continues to build momentum. He's banged out seven knocks in the last four games, and over 50 contests since the beginning of June he's produced a .280/.338/.435 slash line with seven homers, eight steals, 20 RBI and 27 runs.

Bauers went 2-for-4 with three-run homer and an additional run scored in Friday's victory over the Angels.

The 30-year-old broke the game open during the fifth inning with a three-run blast to right field that doubled Milwaukee's lead to 6-0. The homer ends a 13-game power drought for Bauers, who had just two extra-base hits, three steals, one RBI and eight runs during that span. He continued his breakout campaign in July, finishing the month with a .262/.364/.476 slash line, four home runs, 13 RBI and 16 runs in 25 contests.