MLB Player News

Falter (7-7) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.

Falter's outing did not begin well as he allowed three runs in the first, capped by a two-run homer by Andres Chaparro. Falter then settled down, allowing no more runs through his final four innings while the anemic Pirates' offense scored six to put him in position for his seventh win. Falter progressively improved throughout his start, retiring the Nationals in order for the first time in the fifth to close out his outing on a high note. Despite setting a new career-high with his seventh win, the nine batters to reach base marked the fifth straight start Falter has allowed at least eight baserunners while pitching fewer than six innings, holding a 6.85 ERA and 1.82 WHIP during that stretch. His next start is currently slated to take place in Pittsburgh against the Marlins.

Bailey went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Bailey collected two hits and drove in all three runs for the Giants, including a walk-off double to finish off the come-from-behind win. Bailey entered the game batting just 6-for-71 since the start of August (.085) with three RBI but doubled that total Thursday. It was the second-consecutive start for Bailey with two hits, signaling that he appears to be breaking out of his slump.

Kelly did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings against the Giants. He struck out eight.

Kelly was sharp Thursday, completing seven frames with the only blemish against his line being a two-out single in the fourth by Patrick Bailey that drove in two to tie the game. However, despite knocking out Giants' starter Blake Snell after just one inning, the Diamondbacks couldn't muster any more runs against the San Francisco bullpen and Kelly left with a quality no-decision. The eight strikeouts matched a season high and were the most Kelly has accumulated since his first start of the season. His performance comes on the heels of allowing 14 earned runs including six homers over his previous three starts spanning 16.1 innings. He'll look to ride the momentum from Thursday's start into his next outing, scheduled to take place when Arizona hosts the Rangers in a rematch of the 2023 World Series.

Snell did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over one inning against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

Snell needed 42 pitches to escape the first inning thanks to a combination of a lack of control along with a lack of help from his defense. Snell was not hit hard, with only one ball leaving the infield but was done in by an infield single, a couple of walks, a throwing error that led to one run and a passed ball on a strikeout that was to have represented the third out and instead resulted in a second run crossing the plate. Despite only allowing one earned run, Snell's outing was complete following the inning. He entered the game with a 1.30 ERA over his previous 10 appearances while having struck out 10 or more four times while allowing one run or less during seven of those performances. He's next slated to take the hill when the Giants head to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers.

The Pirates activated Wentz on Thursday after he was claimed off waivers Tuesday from the Tigers.

Wentz was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Friday, but finds himself back on an active roster Thursday. In his last seven appearances, he has pitched 10.1 innings and had shutout outings in all but one of them. The one blemish in the stretch was when he gave up four earned in one inning against the Cubs on Aug. 22. To make room for Wentz on the active roster, Domingo German was designated for assignment Thursday.

The Pirates designated German for assignment Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The move comes after German's poor outing Wednesday in which he allowed six earned runs on nine hits across three innings. The 32-year-old ended up making seven total appearances for the Pirates in his return to the majors. He had allowed just two earned runs in his first 12.0 innings, but surrendered 16 earned runs in his last 8.2 innings. Since departing the Yankees in November, German had two stints with the Pirates, the second of which has come to a close. In a corresponding move, Joey Wentz was activated Thursday after being claimed off waivers from Detroit on Tuesday.

Fraley went 2-for-2 with a double, a stolen base and a walk in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Astros.

Fraley reached base three times in a game for the first time since July 24 in the win over Houston. Fraley picked up his 19th steal of the season, and for the first time in his career he has a steal in three straight games. The 29-year-old is now one steal away from his second consecutive season of 20 or more swipes. He's hitting a respectable .275/.329/.383 for the year but is lacking in the power department with just four homers.

France went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Astros.

France took Bryan Abreu deep in the seventh inning to plate the only run needed for the Reds to complete the sweep of the Astros. France hit his 12th home run of the year, matching last season's total in 37 fewer games. The 30-year-old went 9-for-11 in this Astros series, becoming the third player this season with multiple hits and an RBI in three straight games against Houston.

Diaz picked up the save Thursday against Houston, striking out one without allowing any hits or walks.

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save since Aug. 13, ending a streak of eight straight appearances without a save. The 27-year-old pitched to a 7.36 ERA over those prior eight outings, but he's now pitched clean innings in back-to-back appearances. With his 25th save of the season, Diaz becomes the sixth reliever with 25 or more saves in each of the last two seasons.

Lowder did not factor into the decision Thursday against Houston, allowing four hits and four walks over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Lowder got through the first six innings clean before getting into trouble in the seventh but got bailed out by his bullpen. The 22-year-old picked up his first quality outing in his second career start. Lowder has thrown 10.1 innings and allowed just one earned run over his first two career starts. He's the second Reds pitcher over the last 20 seasons with 10 or more innings and no more than one earned run over his first two career starts.