MLB Player News

Diaz tossed a clean ninth inning Sunday to pick up the save against the Mets. He struck out two.

After going over three weeks without a save, Diaz collected his second in three appearances to raise his season total to 26. More importantly, it was the fourth straight clean appearance for Diaz, who held an ERA of 7.00 through 11 appearances in August but has allowed one baserunner and no runs thus far in September.

Aguiar did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two hits and two walks over 4.2 scoreless innings against the Mets. He struck out two.

Aguiar didn't allow a run but labored through 90 pitches and was removed one out shy of completing the fifth inning. It was the fourth time in five starts he's failed to get through the fifth, though it was also the fourth time he's allowed two runs or fewer. Through 21.1 innings Aguiar carries a 5.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with an 11:8 K:BB. In order to provide value to the Reds beyond 2024, Aguiar will need to improve that ratio along with his efficiency. His next opportunity is slated to take place in Minnesota when the Reds travel to take on the Twins.

Severino did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings against the Reds. He struck out eight.

Severino held the Reds off the board through six and nearly made it out of the seventh unscathed, but a two-out RBI single by Noelvi Marte knocked Severino out with the game tied at one. It was the fourth time in his last six starts that Severino has struck out at least eight and the fourth time in five starts he's allowed no more than one earned run, and he holds a 1.95 ERA over that stretch. He remains a key cog in the Mets' playoff push and will look to continue the momentum in his next start, tentatively slated to take place when the Mets travel to Philadelphia for a showdown against the Phillies.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Nationals.

McCutchen's third-inning blast was his 19th of the season, placing him just one shy of reaching the 20-homer milestone for the second time since 2018. The 37-year-old veteran has been battling a knee issue but has been productive when in the lineup, batting 17-for-53 (.321) with six home runs and 17 RBI over 15 games since the start of August.

Montgomery (lower leg) made a relief appearance in Friday's 8-0 loss to the Astros, giving up four earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three.

Montgomery was lifted from his prior appearance in Monday's 11-6 loss to the Dodgers after being struck in the lower right leg with a comebacker, but he was diagnosed with a bruise after subsequent tests returned negative. After a few days of rest, Montgomery was available out of the bullpen, where he'll likely remain for the rest of the season so long as Arizona's current five starters are healthy. Expect Montgomery to continue working mostly in lower-leverage spots.

Grichuk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Grichuk started in left field in each of the last three games, with the Diamondbacks facing left-handed starting pitchers on all occasions. He's been on the bench, however, for each of the Diamondbacks' three matchups with right-handed pitchers since Lourdes Gurriel (calf) landed on the injured list Tuesday. Grichuk looks as though he'll be ticketed for the short side of a platoon in left field with Pavin Smith until Gurriel returns from the IL.

Hodge walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Yankees.

Hodge continues to thrive in a high-leverage role. He's on a 14-inning scoreless streak, posting a 20:6 K:BB with just five hits allowed in that span. The 23-year-old right-hander has pitched to an excellent 1.70 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB while collecting four saves and nine holds over 37 innings this season. He has functioned as the Cubs' primary closer since Aug. 20. Hodge won't face much competition for the closing job while Jorge Lopez (groin) is on the injured list.

Bell will start at first base and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Astros.

Bell was on the bench for the first two games of the series, but he'll move back into the starting nine for the finale while Ketel Marte and Christian Walker get the evening off. Though Marte should eventually reclaim a full-time role at second base after being eased back in the lineup at designated hitter in the previous two contests, Arizona likely won't have room in the lineup for Bell against right-handed pitching while Walker and Joc Pederson occupy first base and the DH spot, respectively. Bell should at least replace the lefty-hitting Pederson in the lineup when the Diamondbacks face left-handed pitching.

Taillon (10-8) gave up one run on six hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Yankees on Sunday.

The Cubs put up two runs in the first inning, and that was enough for Taillon to work with. He gave up one run in the second on a sacrifice fly. After posting a quality start in just one of his five outings in August, the veteran right-hander has two of them to begin September, allowing one run on nine hits and two walks over 13 innings this month. Taillon is now at a 3.57 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 113:28 K:BB through 146.1 innings over 25 starts this season. He's set for a tough task in his next start, which is projected to be at Colorado.

Guillorme will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Astros.

The lefty-hitting Guillorme had been on the bench in each of the last three contests while the Diamondbacks opposed left-handed starters, but he'll draw back into the starting nine Sunday versus Astros righty Justin Verlander. Despite his inclusion in the lineup, Guillorme's opportunities to play against righties will likely be more limited moving forward following Ketel Marte's return from the injured list.