MLB Player News

Estevez (4-4) blew the save but picked up the win in Monday's 2-1 victory against the Rays, giving up one run on two hits in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Estevez entered with a 1-0 lead in the ninth and immediately gave up a game-tying home run to pinch hitter Brandon Lowe. It's the second time since joining the Phillies that Estevez blows a save but still grabs the win. The 31-year-old has only allowed four earned runs since being traded late in July. Estevez has a 2.16 ERA with three wins and four saves in 16.2 innings with Philadelphia.

Schwarber went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Monday's 2-1 win over the Rays.

Schwarber got the Phillies' first hit of the game Monday when he took Tyler Alexander deep in the sixth inning. Schwarber stayed hot at the dish as he extended his hitting streak to eight games, which ties a season-long streak. He's now hit six home runs over his last seven games with 12 RBI in that span. Schwarber's 34 home runs are the third most in the National League behind Shohei Ohtani and Marcell Ozuna. 

Sanchez came away with a no-decision Monday against the Rays. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings.

Sanchez got through six innings and exited the game with the possibility of picking up his 11th win, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Monday was Sanchez's fourth start this season of six or more innings without allowing a run and his first such start since June. The 27-year-old has followed up his breakout 2023 season with 16 quality starts and a 3.33 ERA through 165 innings.

Chapman got the save Monday against the Marlins. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts in one inning.

Chapman worked in and out of trouble in the ninth as he had the tying and go-ahead run on base before escaping the jam. The 36-year-old veteran was coming off one of his worst outings of the season when he gave up a season-high four runs Saturday. Chapman has now picked up three saves in his last five appearances since replacing David Bednar as the team's primary closer.

Mlodzinski will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mlodzinksi's longest outing since returning from the injured list Aug. 27 has been two innings, so he'll likely work the opening frame or two before handing the ball to a bulk reliever. Joey Wentz could be a candidate to eat up innings after Mlodzinski's work is done.

The Cubs are hopeful Steele will be cleared to throw a bullpen session at some point during the current road trip, which runs until Sunday in Colorado, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Manager Craig Counsell noted that Steele hasn't experienced any issues while playing catch, so the next step will be for the southpaw to resume throwing off a mound. He'll likely be asked to complete a side session or two before getting the green light to face live hitters.

Cruz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 3-2 win over the Marlins.

Cruz took Valente Bellozo deep to center in the first inning for his 19th blast of the season, which came off his bat at 113.7 mph. It was Cruz's first homer since August ninth, ending a career-long streak of 26 games without a home run. Cruz hit his sixth home run of 440 feet or more this season, which is tied for the third most in MLB. The 25-year-old has an average home run distance of 421.3 feet this season, trailing only Jorge Soler among players with 10 or more homers.

Bellozo (2-3) took the loss Monday against the Pirates. He allowed three runs (one earned) over 5.1 innings with six hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

Bellozo battled Monday but was on the wrong end of another dominating performance by Paul Skenes. Bellozo threw six shutout innings in a no-decision his last time out following back-to-back starts of six or more runs, so Monday's start is another positive sign. The rookie right-hander has allowed two runs or less in seven of his 10 starts this season, but in his other three starts he's allowed 17 runs. Bellozo's 15.4 percent strikeout rate would be the worst mark among qualified big-league starters if he'd thrown enough innings to qualify.

Skenes (10-2) got the win Monday over the Marlins, giving up one run on six hits and one walk while striking out nine over six innings.

Skenes was sharp yet again Monday, holding the Marlins to one run through six innings. Skenes recorded nine strikeouts and surpassed Cy Blanton in 1935 for the most strikeouts by a Pirates rookie in franchise history. Skenes now has 151 strikeouts this season, making him the fifth pitcher since 1920 with 150 or more strikeouts in his first 20 pitching appearances. The 22-year-old lowered his ERA to 2.10, and he now has 14 quality starts in his first 20 big-league appearances.

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning Monday to pick up the save against Atlanta. He did not allow a hit or a walk and did not collect a strikeout.

Diaz entered a 1-0 game and kept Atlanta off the bases for his 27th save and third in his last four appearances. Following a rough August where Diaz pitched a 7.00 ERA and blew two saves, Diaz has bounced back in September as he has yet to allow a hit in five appearances in the month. The 27-year-old has been up and down this season but remains one of the more reliable options for saves as he ranks ninth in MLB in that category.