MLB Player News

Hoerner went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 win over the White Sox.

Hoerner isn't known as much of a power threat, as this was just his fifth home run of the season and first since June 30. Instead, the infielder is known for his speed, with 20 stolen bases for the season after swiping a career-high 43 bases last year. Hoerner has been making more solid contact lately, and if he can continue to get on base regularly, he should be able to make an impact on the basepaths for fantasy managers.

Paredes went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 7-6 win over the White Sox.

Paredes teed off for his second home run in his last three games and 18th of the season. The infielder got off to a bit of a slow start after getting traded to the Cubs at the end of the July, but in those last three contests, he's gone 4-for-11 with the two long balls and seven total RBI. Paredes was having a solid season in Tampa Bay before the trade, and if he can sustain his recent level of play, a big finish could be in store with his new team.

Happ went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 win over the White Sox.

Happ took the fourth pitch of the game from Garrett Crochet deep for his 19th home run of the season and second in as many games. The veteran outfielder is closing in on his second consecutive 20-homer campaign, which would be the fourth of his career. Happ's career high in home runs is the 25 he recorded back in 2021. If he keeps up his recent power surge, that figure could be in sight soon.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, two home runs and four RBI in Friday's 8-5 win over the Royals.

The veteran backstop bookended a big day for the Cardinals' offense by launching a two-run homer off Michael Lorenzen in the first inning and a solo shot off Angel Zerpa in the ninth. With the performance, Contreras snapped an 11-game homer drought, a stretch in which he hit just .146 (6-for-41) with one RBI. On the season, he has 15 doubles, 15 home runs and 34 RBI in 72 contests, and Contreras' .875 OPS would be his highest mark since 2019.

Helsley gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 37th save of the season in an 8-5 win over the Royals.

It didn't look like Helsley's services would be needed headed into the late innings, but the Cardinals scored twice in the eighth and ninth frames to erase a 5-4 deficit. The St. Louis closer then made things interesting by bring the tying run to the plate with one out, but he coaxed a double play grounder out of Vinnie Pasquantino to end the night. Helsley has worked three of the last four days, likely making him unavailable Saturday, but he racked up saves in each appearance to extend his major-league lead in saves over Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase (33).

Mikolas came away with a no-decision in Friday's 8-5 win over the Royals, giving up five runs on eight hits over four innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The veteran righty cruised through the first two innings before giving up three straight hits to begin the third as the wheels came off. Mikolas got the hook after 78 pitches (51 strikes) and was in line for his 10th loss of the year until the Cardinals rallied late. Since blanking the Nationals on July 8 over 6.1 innings, Mikolas has been in a tailspin, stumbling to a 7.11 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over his last five starts and 25.1 innings. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Dodgers.

Bellinger went 3-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 7-6 win over the White Sox.

The 29-year-old took Garrett Crochet deep in the first inning, helping the Cubs jump out to an early 7-0 lead that the pitching staff nearly fumbled. Bellinger has been locked in since returning from a finger injury in late July, batting .361 (13-for-36) over his last nine games with three homers, eight runs and eight RBI.

Neris gave up two hits and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 16th save of the season in a 7-6 win over the White Sox.

The veteran right-hander gave up back-to-back singles to lead off the ninth before walking Andrew Benintendi with two outs, but Neris got Andrew Vaughn to fly out to escape the jam. Neris hasn't blown a save since June 16, posting a 1.26 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over 14.1 innings since then to build up some job security as the Cubs' closer.

Taillon (8-6) picked up the win Friday, coughing up five runs on nine hits over five innings in a 7-6 victory over the White Sox. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The Cubs staked Taillon to a 7-0 lead through the first three innings, but the right-hander nearly gave it back as he served up homers to Andrew Vaughn in the fourth and Andrew Benintendi in the fifth. Taillon's been taken deep five times in his last three starts, stumbling to a 7.04 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over that stretch despite a 12:1 K:BB in 15.1 innings. He'll try to get on track in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Blue Jays.

Burger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

The 28-year-old slugger opened the scoring in the fourth inning by taking Martin Perez deep, continuing a power surge that has seen Burger launch seven homers in the last 11 games while slashing .311/.347/.800 with 11 RBI. The improved performance at the plate could be due to his reduced defensive responsibilities -- he's played third base only three times during that stretch while lining up at first base and DH four times each. Burger is batting .242 on the season with 20 home runs and 50 RBI in 94 contests.