MLB Player News

Diaz struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings Tuesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Twins.

The Mets closer fanned Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis en route to his fifth straight successful conversion. Diaz has been brilliant since coming off the IL in mid-June, posting a 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 11 innings with two wins and eight saves in 11 appearances.

Manaea (7-4) picked up the win Tuesday, scattering two hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Twins. He struck out 11.

The veteran southpaw tied his season high in innings while setting a new season high in Ks, as Manaea generated an eye-popping 23 swinging strikes among his 96 pitches. He's been outstanding over the last six weeks, giving up three earned runs or less in eight of his last nine starts while posting a 2.58 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB through 52.1 innings over that stretch, and Manaea's impressive run likely contributed to the Mets' decision not to make a more significant rotation addition than Paul Blackburn at the trade deadline. Manaea is scheduled to make his next start on the road early next week in St. Louis.

Padres general manager A.J. Preller suggested Tuesday that Tatis (thigh) remains without a clear timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list, though the 25-year-old is expected to play again this season, MLB.com reports. "We expect him to be back. Exactly when? That's something we've still got to get more information from our doctors," Preller said. "But every report I've gotten has been really positive."

Tatis was placed on the 10-day IL on June 24 with a right femoral stress reaction. He underwent an MRI over the All-Star break and was cleared for light baseball activities after imaging revealed sufficient healing, but updates on Tatis' status have been scarce since then. The star outfielder still looks to be at least a couple weeks away from being ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Expect the Padres to continue to get by with a platoon of David Peralta and Bryce Johnson in right field in the meantime.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday that Soler will serve as the team's primary leadoff hitter, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soler took off after the Giants moved him to the leadoff spot, posting a .911 OPS over his last 24 games before being dealt to Atlanta on Monday. The 32-year-old also occasionally hit leadoff for Atlanta during the team's run to a 2021 World Series title. With Soler at the top of the batting order, Jarred Kelenic will slide down to the back half of the lineup.

Musgrove (elbow) completed a two-inning simulated game Tuesday at the Padres' spring training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Facing a lineup of Mariners minor-league hitters, Musgrove tossed approximately 40 pitches in the outing. The Padres will wait and see how Musgrove's elbow responds to the sim game before determining his next step, but the right-hander may get the green light to begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as Sunday. Musgrove is on the injured list for the second time this season after being diagnosed with a bone spur and bone bruise in his right elbow in early June. He'll likely need at least two rehab starts to get fully stretched out, and he could be ready return from the 60-day injured list around mid-August in a best-case scenario.

Friedl went 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.

Friedl, batting sixth in the order, put the Reds on top early with a two-out, two-run single in the first inning. He's knocked in five runs over the last two games. This marked the third time in four starts since returning from his latest injury that Friedl batted in the middle of the order. He's typically hit out of the leadoff spot for the Reds, but manager David Bell is going with Jonathan India there for now.

Espinal started at designated hitter and went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.

Espinal was in the starting lineup for a third consecutive game; with the Reds awaiting the arrival of Ty France, who was acquired Monday, Espinal slotted in at DH for the night. Once France arrives, it is expected that he and Jeimer Candelario will most frequently handle first base/DH.

Merrill went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Merrill's only hit of the night came at quite an opportune time. Blake Treinen had already given up a homer to Manny Machado to lead off the inning and he then left a hanging cutter which Merrill took full advantage of to tie the game up in the ninth. The long ball was Merrill's first since June 29 and he now has 13 hits, seven RBI and eight runs over his last nine games. Merrill is tied for the National League lead among rookies with 13 homers and leads all rookies with 105 hits. He's slashing .284/.315/.449 with 53 RBI, 48 runs, 11 steals and a 17:74 BB:K in 393 plate appearances.

Perdomo went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 17-0 win over the Nationals.

Perdomo joined the Diamondbacks' 22-hit attack with his second straight multi-hit game. He drove in Arizona's third run with a single then doubled home the team's 13th tally. Following an eight-game stretch during which Perdomo batted .115 (3-for-26) without an RBI, the shortstop and ninth-place hitter has driven in five runs over the last four contests.

Machado went 2-for-4 with two solo homers in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Machado got the Padres on the board in the second inning with a 410-foot blast to center off Tyler Glasnow. He then jumpstarted a ninth-inning comeback by leading off the frame with his second homer of the night. Machado now has nine homers and 20 RBI over his last 26 games after totaling just seven homers and 38 RBI in his first 75 games of the year. The 31-year-old is slashing .265/.317/.432 with 33 extra-base hits, 51 runs, five steals and a 29:87 BB:K in 420 plate appearances this season.