MLB Player News

Cease (11-8) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Cease's chance at consecutive no-hitters didn't get far, as he allowed a single to Jason Heyward in the second inning. The Dodgers didn't get much more out of him aside from Gavin Lux's RBI double in the third inning, and the Padres gave their ace plenty of run support. Cease has allowed just four runs over his last 34.2 innings, posting a 44:11 K:BB in that span while winning four straight. For the year, he's at a 3.42 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP and 174:43 K:BB through 136.2 innings spanning 23 starts. Cease is projected to make his next start at Pittsburgh.

Sewald struggled in a save opportunity against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks in just one-third of an inning. He was pulled after throwing only nine of 24 pitches for strikes, and Ryan Thompson finished the inning. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo attributed Sewald's issues to a delivery problem and did not confirm any changes to the closer role.

Exercise caution with Sewald and be ready to make changes based on his future performances and any official updates about his role. If more reliable closers are available on the waiver wire, you may want to consider dropping Sewald for a more stable option.

Bart went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Astros.

Bart got the Pirates on the board when he took Framber Valdez deep in the second inning. Over 10 games since the All-Star break, Bart has gone 11-for-33 (.333) with three extra-base hits and four RBI. The catcher is up to a .262/.350/.475 slash line with seven homers, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored and no stolen bases over 43 contests this season.

Woodford allowed three runs, all unearned, on two hits and struck out three without walking a batter over five innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Wednesday.

Woodford allowed 10 runs over 8.1 innings across two outings with the White Sox earlier in the season, leading to his release and eventual signing with Pittsburgh. With a 2.29 ERA over 35.1 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, Woodford was brought up by the Pirates for at least a spot start, and he held his own despite a pair of costly errors from Oneil Cruz. Woodford hasn't had much success in any role in the majors since 2022, so it's unclear if he'll be able to improve on Wednesday's performance. Unless the Pirates move to a six-man rotation in August, Woodford would not appear assured of another start in the immediate future.

Gallen (9-5) earned the win over Washington on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings.

Gallen gave up a run in the fourth inning but otherwise silenced the Nationals for his second straight quality start and third straight victory. Since giving up a season-high seven runs (six earned) over 3.2 frames against Toronto on July 14, Gallen has surrendered just four runs over his subsequent 17 innings. The right-hander's control had been shaky coming into Wednesday, however, as he had issued nine free passes across his previous two outings. He may have eased those concerns against Washington by issuing just one walk in the win.

Pham went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBI in Wednesday's 10-1 rout of the Rangers.

Pham returned to St. Louis -- where his professional career began -- in a trade with the White Sox on Monday and swatted a grand slam in his 2024 debut with the club Tuesday. The veteran outfielder continued to produce in his first start since the trade Wednesday, plating a two-run double in the fifth frame as part of a three-hit performance. Pham has hit safely in five straight contests and is batting .474 (9-for-19) with a homer and seven RBI during that span.

McGreevy (1-0) earned the win over Texas on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters over seven innings.

McGreevy wasn't overpowering, but he had good control and allowed just one extra-base hit over his seven frames. The right-hander has never posted big strikeout numbers in the minors, and he recorded a 4.45 ERA across 109.1 innings with Triple-A Memphis this season prior to his call-up Wednesday, so fantasy managers are likely best served tempering expectations rather than rushing to the waiver wire to claim the 24-year-old. This was likely just a spot start in the majors for McGreevy, though he certainly showed enough to be a consideration for St. Louis the next time a spare arm is needed.

Fraley went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 13-4 loss to the Cubs.

Fraley got the Reds on the board in the fifth inning, but they never mounted much of a comeback push. The outfielder went 12-for-40 (.300) with six extra-base hits, three stolen bases and 10 RBI over 15 contests in July. He's at a .278/.328/.383 slash line, three homers, 19 RBI, 30 runs scored and 14 steals across 250 plate appearances for the year as a strong-side platoon player.

Lodolo (8-4) allowed eight runs on 11 hits and struck out six over 5.2 innings without walking a batter to take the loss versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Lodolo had allowed a total of eight runs across his previous three starts spanning 17.2 innings. The Cubs got to him early with multiple runs in the second and third frames, and Ian Happ's two-run homer in the sixth ended Lodolo's outing. The southpaw's ERA spiked up from 3.45 to 3.99, and he now has a 1.15 WHIP and 100:26 K:BB across 97 innings over 17 starts. Lodolo will look to bounce back in his next start, which is projected to be at Miami next week.

Hendricks (3-9) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Aside from a three-run home run by Jake Fraley in the fifth inning, Hendricks had a strong start. He didn't allow a baserunner the first time through the order and got through his five frames on 73 pitches (44 strikes). Hendricks ended July with a 5.25 ERA over 24 innings, winning two of his five starts and allowing a total of four homers. For the season, he has a 6.86 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB through 20 appearances (15 starts). He is projected to make his next start at home versus the Twins.