MLB Player News

Espinal started at third base and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 13-4 loss to the Cubs.

Espinal and his smoldering bat made a fourth consecutive start. He's hit in all four games, going 8-for-14 with three doubles, a home run, three RBI and two additional runs. The month of July was Espinal's best of the season; the utility infielder slashed .432/.457/.727 with three homers and eight RBI over 16 games.

France entered Wednesday's game in the eighth inning and went 0-for-1 in a 13-4 loss to the Cubs.

France made his debut for the Reds, playing the final two innings at first base. He was acquired by the Reds on Monday, presumably to be a starter at first base, but he was not used Tuesday or Wednesday despite being in the team's dugout.

Perdomo entered Wednesday's game as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in a 5-4 win over Washington.

Perdomo pinch hit for Kevin Newman in the sixth inning against a right-hander and singled in a run. He then stole a base and scored on a single by Corbin Carroll. The steal was Perdomo's second of the season and first in 21 games. He remained in the game, playing the final three innings at shortstop.

Smith started at first base and went 0-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Washington.

Smith typically doesn't start against left-handers, but he got the call Wednesday with Christian Walker (oblique) on the 10-day injured list. Kevin Newman started there Tuesday against a lefty, but he spelled Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop Wednesday. Eventually, trade-acquisition Josh Bell is expected to take over at first base while Walker is out, and that absence is estimated to be about three weeks.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Sewald is having issues with his delivery, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "There's something that's going on with his delivery," Lovullo said. "It's not allowing him to throw the ball where he wants to, have the finish on the ball and make the pitches that he's normally making."

Lovullo made those comments moments after Wednesday's win in which Sewald, tasked with closing out a two-run lead, allowed a run on three walks and a hit before being removed for Ryan Thompson, who picked up his first save of the season. Sewald has a 13.50 ERA over his last four appearances to finish out a rocky July (10.80 ERA, 10 innings, four blown saves). The manager plans to take time to review the situation and feels there are "really good candidates" in house to replace Sewald as the closer, if that's what Lovullo decides. The names under consideration are likely Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk.

McCarthy went 3-for-4 with a triple, a run and a stolen base Wednesday in a 5-4 win against the Nationals.

McCarthy scored the first run of the game in the third inning as a result of a two-out triple and a MacKenzie Gore wild pitch. The outfielder finished with his second straight three-hit contest and his third multi-hit performance over his past five games. Over that span, McCarthy is batting a blistering .545 (12-for-22) with a double, two triples, five runs and two thefts.

Gore (6-9) took the loss against Arizona on Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 5.1 innings.

Though he's been up-and-down in terms of allowing runs this season, Gore entered Wednesday's contest with a healthy 10.3 K/9 over 105.2 frames. It comes as a surprise, then, to see just one punchout on his final stat line, though it's the second time he's posted that total over his past seven starts. In fact, Gore's production has been quite poor over that span, as he's recorded a 7.84 ERA and 24:19 K:BB over 31 innings. It appeared at times earlier in the campaign that Gore could be in the midst of a breakout, but he hasn't picked up a win since mid-June and is now sporting a 4.54 ERA, which would be the worst mark of his three-year career.

Thompson earned a save against Washington on Wednesday, issuing a walk and striking out a batter over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

Paul Sewald got a chance at a save with Arizona up three runs entering the ninth frame, but he retired only one batter while walking three and allowing a double. Thompson then came in to put out the fire and did so successfully despite allowing an inherited runner to score on a passed ball and issuing an intentional walk. After the game, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was non-committal about Sewald remaining the team's closer, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Thompson would get the next crack at the role if a change is made. The right-hander has been very successful in a setup role this season with a 1.81 ERA, 19 holds and 32:5 K:BB, yet Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk -- both of whom pitched before the ninth frame Wednesday -- have more closing experience and would be more likely candidates to step in as closer, temporarily or otherwise, if Sewald is moved out of the role.

Kershaw (0-1) allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk while failing to record a strikeout over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Padres.

The Dodgers made three errors in this contest, which didn't make life any easier for Kershaw in his second start of the season. He also threw a wild pitch and landed a decent 55 of 83 pitches for strikes in the short start. The southpaw is likely one or two starts away from a full workload at this stage. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Phillies.

Campusano went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Dodgers.

Campusano opened the scoring with an RBI single in the second inning and sparked another rally with his solo shot in the fourth. The catcher has seen limited playing time since returning from a thumb injury in early July, going 7-for-23 (.304) over eight games since July 6. He's at a .241/.284/.390 slash line with seven homers, 37 RBI, 29 runs scored, 13 doubles and no stolen bases across 74 contests this season.