MLB Player News

Cruz went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple and two runs scored in Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Cruz jumped on the first pitch he saw from Brandon Pfaadt in the opening frame and launched it 472 feet to right-center field for the shortstop's 16th home run of the campaign and his fourth this month. The 25-year-old would then add his second triple of the season in the sixth before coming around to score on a groundout from Connor Joe. Cruz has put together a nice July thus far, slashing .304 with 11 extra-base hits, 16 RBI and 11 runs scored. Saturday's performance also marked his seventh multi-hit outing this month.

Gonzales did not factor into the decision in a loss to Arizona on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over 2.1 innings while striking out one.

Gonzales didn't have his best stuff Saturday, allowing multiple baserunners in all three innings in which he appeared before being relieved by Dennis Santana. It marked the shortest outing of the season for the lefty, while the four runs he surrendered on the night also marked a season high. Gonzales has failed to make it through five innings in back-to-back starts and carries a meager 9:4 K:BB in July to go along with a 5.25 ERA.

Pfaadt (5-6) picked up the win over the Pirates on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits over six innings while striking out four.

Pfaadt surrendered a solo home run to Oneil Cruz in the top of the first before going 1-2-3 through the next three innings. The right-hander would then struggle his way through the fifth, allowing three consecutive hits to open the frame, leading to three more runs coming home for Pittsburgh. Still, Pfaadt was able to come away with his fifth win of the campaign and the second in his last three starts despite the lackluster outing. He's now gone at least six innings in each of his last three starts and in six of his last seven overall. Saturday also marked the first time in his last five outings that he surrendered more than one run.

The Nationals acquired Stuart from the Mets on Sunday in exchange for outfielder Jesse Winker.

Stuart is in his first full season at the Double-A level and has a 3.96 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 90:20 K:BB across 84 innings. The 6-foot-9 righty could see Triple-A action by the end of the campaign and may not be far off from his MLB debut, and he should have a clearer path to pitching meaningful innings for Washington than he did with New York.

Hodge tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 9-4 win against the Royals to earn a hold. He struck out one.

Hodge has been sharp for the Cubs in his MLB debut season, posting a strong 2.14 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 23 strikeouts across 21 innings. He's also recorded five holds and a save. Hodge has the look of a capable closer, though Chicago has gone with veteran Hector Neris in that role for much of the year. However, if the team continues to fall out of playoff contention, it could give the 23-year-old rookie a chance to take over, particularly if Neris happens to be traded by Tuesday's deadline.

Tauchman went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Saturday's 9-4 win against the Royals.

Tauchman had gotten off to a slow start since returning from the injured list July 19, going just 2-for-23 across his first seven games back. The outfielder doubled that hit total Saturday, and he should be locked into a fairly regular role moving forward, particularly due to Cody Bellinger (finger) being out at the moment. Bellinger's return in the near future may squeeze Tauchman a bit, though the latter still played often earlier in the season when Bellinger was healthy.

Swanson went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-4 win against the Royals.

It's mostly been a struggle this season for Swanson, but he's been showing some signs of life lately. The shortstop is riding a five-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 7-for-18 with a couple of runs scored and two stolen bases. Swanson is slashing just .219/.291/.345 overall, however, numbers which are all down from last year. He'll need a big finish to get his numbers more in line with his strong results from the past few seasons.

Hays went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 8-0 win over the Guardians.

After failing to steal a bag in 63 games for the Orioles prior to being traded Friday, Hays got busy on the basepaths in his Phillies debut. While the 29-year-old is ticketed for an everyday role in left field with his new team, he batted ninth Saturday against right-hander Carlos Carrasco, a spot that will put a damper on his fantasy ceiling despite the loaded lineup around him. Hays is also on pace for the worst season of his career since he become a regular in 2020, slashing .255/.315/.391 with only three homers and 14 RBI, but the change of scenery could help wake up his bat.

Schwarber went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a three-run home run in Saturday's 8-0 rout of the Guardians.

The veteran slugger reached 20 homers on the season when he took Nick Sandlin deep in the fourth inning, one of four Phillies long balls on the afternoon. It was Schwarber's first multi-hit performance since he returned from a groin strain in early July, and his first game with multiple extra-base hits since June 22. On the season, he's slashing .245/.370/.447 with 60 RBI and 67 runs in 93 contests.

Phillips (3-0) picked up the win Saturday in an 8-0 victory over the Guardians, allowing only four hits and a walk over nine shutout innings. He struck out four.

Making just his third career big-league start, the right-hander produced the first shutout by a Phillies rookie since Zach Eflin in 2016. Phillips tossed 105 pitches (71 strikes) in the impressive performance, and his scoreless streak stands at 15 innings after he blanked the Bucs in his previous outing. The Phillies could be looking for rotation help at the trade deadline with Ranger Suarez (back) joining Taijuan Walker (finger) on the IL, but Phillips is proving he can fill one of those spots quite capably. The 26-year-old will take a 1.80 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB through 25 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Seattle.