MLB Player News

Nardi collected his 12th hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Rays, walking one and striking out three in a scoreless sixth inning.

The southpaw was considered the favorite to take over closing duties for the Marlins after Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres, but instead manager Skip Schumaker called on Nardi in the sixth inning Wednesday to protect a 4-2 lead. Miami wound up adding to its lead in the seventh, eliminating a potential save chance, but it still wasn't encouraging usage for any fantasy GMs hoping Nardi will pick up saves down the stretch. Anthony Bender, another potential closing option, was called on in the eighth inning after the lead was extended to 6-2 while Calvin Faucher worked the ninth, leaving the bullpen picture for the Marlins very murky.

Burger went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 6-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Burger put the Marlins ahead for good in the third inning Wednesday, cranking a 423-foot, two-run shot off a Taj Bradley two-strike pitch to put Miami ahead 4-2. The 28-year-old Burger has been heating up at the plate -- he's homered in back-to-back games while going 7-for-20 with three long balls in his last five contests. Overall, Burger is slashing .235/.282/.416 through 351 plate appearances this year with 15 homers, 42 RBI and 38 runs scored.

The Giants will call up Encarnacion from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Encarnacion, 26, began the season in the Mexican League before signing a minor-league contract with the Giants in May. Since joining Sacramento, he's hit a blistering .352/.438/.616 with 10 home runs in just 33 games. Encarnacion was once a prospect of some repute with the Marlins, reaching the majors for a 23-game cup of coffee in 2022, but he produced a .548 OPS and struck out at a 39.5 percent rate. Miami didn't re-sign him after he struck out 200 times last season with Triple-A Jacksonville, but he's resurrected his career. Encarnacion has been playing more first base lately with Triple-A Sacramento, and the Giants' initial plan seems to be using him as a short-side platoon player at that position.

Rosario went 0-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Brewers.

He got the start in left field, batting sixth against right-hander Freddy Peralta, but Rosario was replaced by Adam Duvall in the seventh inning with lefty Jared Koenig on the mound. Trade deadline acquisition Jorge Soler is expected to start in right field going forward, but Duvall and Rosario seem headed for a platoon in left, with the latter on the strong side of that arrangement. Manager Brian Snitker likely won't hesitate to play the hot hand if one of the two significantly out-produces the other, however. Rosario is batting just .189 (7-for-37) over his last 12 games, but he does have three home runs and eight RBI over that stretch.

Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Brewers.

Making his first start as Atlanta's new second baseman and batting ninth, Merrifield made a solid contribution to a 6-2 victory that included his 13th steal of the year. The veteran utility player appears fully recovered from the finger injury he suffered immediately after signing with the team July 22, and until Ozzie Albies (wrist) is ready to return, Merrifield has little competition for playing time at the keystone. His .578 OPS on the season is a career low, but he could turn things around down the stretch as Atlanta tries to catch the Phillies -- the team that cut him loose in mid-July -- in the NL East standings.

Johnson (4-2) picked up the win Wednesday over the Brewers, allowing one hit and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander recorded the final out of the sixth inning in relief of Chris Sale, just in time to watch Atlanta's offense break open a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh. Johnson has given up only one earned run over his last 13 appearances dating back to June 15, posting a 0.67 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB through 13.1 innings over that stretch while pocketing two wins and two holds.

Doyle, who has been playing through a bruised right index finger, went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Wednesday's win over the Angels.

Doyle put the Rockies on top with a solo shot off Hans Crouse in the top of the eighth, snapping an 0-for-13 skid at the plate. It was the outfielder's 18th home run of the campaign and his 11th in July, when he batted .333 with 27 RBI and 15 runs scored. On the downside, Doyle has also struck out twice in three of his last five games.

Webb earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing five hits and one walk in a complete-game shutout while striking out six.

Webb stifled Oakland's lineup throughout the contest, inducing 12 swings-and-misses while allowing only three batters to advance beyond first base. It marked the first complete game of the campaign for the right-hander and the second shutout of his career. Webb had allowed multiple runs in 10 consecutive starts coming in, and at least four runs in each of his previous three. He finishes the month of July with a 2-2 record and a 4.78 ERA, though he's also surrendered just two long balls over that stretch (spanning five starts).

Vodnik picked up the save against the Angels on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Vodnik needed only eight pitches to run through the middle of the Angels lineup and secure his fourth save of the season, striking out Kevin Pillar with a 99 mph fastball before getting Logan O'Hoppe to ground out for the final out. The right-hander has now converted each of his last four save opportunities and has recorded at least one strikeout in 15 consecutive appearances. Vodnik also hasn't issued a walk in five straight outings.

Freeland (3-4) picked up the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings while striking out six.

Freeland got off to a strong start, allowing just two singles over the first four innings before surrendering a solo homer to Logan O'Hoppe in the fifth. However, the lefty was able to get through the frame without taking any further damage, and went on to log his sixth quality start in his last seven outings. Freeland has also won three of his last four starts, posting six or more strikeouts three times over that stretch. Furthermore, Wednesday's performance marked the first outing this season in which Freeland didn't walk a batter.