MLB Player News

Busch went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 14-2 win over the Marlins.

Busch chipped in three of his team's 17 total hits as the offense carried the Cubs to victory. The young first baseman continues to have a productive first season in Chicago, as he's batting .258 with a .795 OPS across 123 games. With the Cubs giving Pete Crow-Armstrong an extended look in center field, Cody Bellinger has had to play elsewhere, including in right and serving as the DH, as he did Saturday. Bellinger is also an option to play at first when he's not in center, but so far, the Cubs have opted to keep Busch in the lineup as often as possible except against lefty starters.

Johnson recorded a save Saturday, pitching a perfect ninth inning against the Nationals.

Johnson entered the contest with a two-run lead in the top of the ninth and managed to retire the side on just four pitches to secure his second save of the campaign. The right-hander was able to take advantage of a rare save opportunity after Raisel Iglesias hurled three innings over Atlanta's previous two games and likely was in need of some rest. Johnson has not allowed any runs in each of his last four appearances, allowing two hits over that stretch while posting a 2:2 K:BB.

Irvin did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings while striking out three.

Irvin allowed the leadoff man to reach in each of the first two innings to open the contest but managed to escape without allowing any damage on both occasions. However, the lack of command caught up with the right-hander as he went on to surrender a solo shot to Orlando Arcia on a hanging slider in the fifth before then giving up back-to-back hits to open the sixth. Irvin was then relieved by Robert Garcia with no outs in the frame, and Garcia allowed back-tb-back hits. Irvin has given up multiple runs in nine consecutive starts, going 2-4 over that stretch while posting a 5.92 ERA. Irvin has also served up at least one long ball in four consecutive outings.

Friedl went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 10-2 win over the Pirates.

Friedl's first-inning single plated the first of four runs the Reds scored in the inning to take an early lead. It's been a stop-and-start season for Friedl, who appears to have put three separate IL stints behind him. He's currently in his longest stretch of good health and is slashing .239/.314/.457 with six home runs, 19 RBI, nine walks and 11 runs scored over his last 28 games.

Morton did not factor into the decision in Saturday's win over the Nationals, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out six.

Both runs charged to Morton on the night came across on a two-run homer from Jose Tena in the second inning. The right-hander would then hurl three consecutive scoreless frames before being relieved by Aaron Bummer with two outs in the sixth. It marked the second straight outing in which Morton has been unable to get through six innings, though he's now given up two or fewer runs in each of his last three starts. He's also recorded six or more strikeouts in four of five starts in August, posting a 30:8 K:BB over that stretch.

Reds manager David Bell said Saturday that Greene is confirmed to be dealing with inflammation in his right elbow after an MRI revealed no UCL damage, MLB.com reports.

The Reds received good news on the injury a week ago, but the team and Greene sought more opinions. Three separate doctors have confirmed the diagnosis of inflammation. The right-hander will need at least two weeks for the swelling to subside before he begins a throwing program, so he likely won't be a candidate to return from the 15-day injured list until mid-September in a best-case scenario.

McCarthy batted second and went 0-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

McCarthy worked a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning to make it a 3-0 game. He's been the primary second spot batter since Ketel Marte (ankle) first sustained an injury that eventually landed him on the 10-day injured list. In nine games batting second since Marte's injury, McCarthy is hitting .325 (13-for-40) with two home runs, 12 RBI, three walks, one steal and eight runs scored.

Guillorme started at second base and went 0-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 4-1 win over Boston.

Guillorme, who was signed last Tuesday, made a third consecutive start -- all against right-handers -- and appears to have moved into a platoon at second base with Kevin Newman for as long as it takes Ketel Marte (ankle) to return. Marte is not yet asymptomatic, manager Torey Lovullo told Arizona Sports on Friday, so there could be plenty of opportunities for Guillorme in the short term. The utility infielder is 2-for-10 with four walks, one RBI, two steals and two runs scored in his first three games with the Diamondbacks.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he wants to get Sewald back to being a closer, Arizona Sports reports.

Lovullo was asked about the Diamondbacks' current closing situation, and he's pleased with what Justin Martinez has been able to do, but added he wants "to get Sewald back into that role." At the same time, the manager acknowledged that while Sewald is "trending in a very positive direction," Lovullo is not ready to throw him back into closing. Sewald, who had thrown six scoreless innings following his demotion, has allowed three runs and five hits over his last two innings, both of which were non-save situations in the ninth inning. That includes Saturday, when Sewald allowed a run that reduced the Diamondbacks' lead to 4-1, and Lovullo had Martinez get up just in case.

McCray went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Mariners.

This was McCray's third multi-hit effort over nine games. He's also gone hitless three times. The outfielder also notched his first steal and avoided striking out for just the second time. He's batting .273 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored and three doubles while seeing everyday playing time in center field since his first call-up Aug. 14.