MLB Player News

Atlanta agreed to terms with Merrifield on a one-year contract Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Merrifield was cut loose by the Phillies prior to the All-Star break after managing just a .572 OPS in 174 plate appearances. He'll remain in the division and provide Atlanta with an option at second base in place of Ozzie Albies (wrist) -- who is expected to miss around eight weeks -- and in the outfield. The 35-year-old stole 11 bases while being caught just once during his time in Philadelphia, but he'll have to hit better in Atlanta than he did with the Phillies if he wants to play regularly.

De La Cruz went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a stolen base in Sunday's 5-2 loss to Washington.

De La Cruz's sixth-inning double extended his hit streak to nine games. He later stole his 48th base of the season. After a down May (.208 batting average), De La Cruz has been more consistent, posting averages of .266 in June and .276 in July.

Marte went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Nationals.

Marte put the Reds up early with a second-inning solo homer. It was his second of the season and first in 14 games. After serving an 80-game suspension, Marte is still getting his timing down. He's batting .176 with a .499 OPS and a 32.9 strikeout percentage over 20 games.

Martinez allowed one run on two hits and one walk in the ninth inning Sunday, blowing the save in a 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.

With closer Paul Sewald unavailable to protect a ninth-inning lead after having being deployed the previous two days, manager Torey Lovullo turned to Martinez, who was also used Friday and Saturday but had thrown fewer pitches (25) than Sewald (33). Martinez, facing the same group of hitters he shut down Saturday, allowed a double to Nico Hoerner and a single to Seiya Suzuki, permitting the lead to slip away. The rookie right-hander has worked his way into a high-leverage role this season and could eventually become a late-game staple.

Sewald was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.

The Diamondbacks carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning, but Sewald had been used the previous two games and thrown 33 pitches. Justin Martinez, who had also pitched Friday and Saturday, was unable to secure the save. Since a rough stretch earlier in July, Sewald has converted four straight save chances and tossed five straight scoreless appearances.

Abbott didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Nationals, allowing two unearned runs on six hits and three walks across 6.2 innings. He struck out one.

Abbott came out of the All-Star break strong, with both runs scored while he was on the mound Sunday going unearned. However, the Reds pushed only two runners across on offense, keeping Abbott from earning what would have been his fifth win in six starts. After posting a 3.87 ERA in 21 starts as a rookie, Abbott has taken a sizable step forward in Year 2, tallying a 3.39 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 19 starts and 106.1 innings. He's expected to make his next appearance against the Rays in Tampa Bay next weekend.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Cincinnati, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks across seven innings. He struck out seven.

Irvin entered Sunday's start having allowed six earned runs in back-to-back appearances, but he rebounded with a seven-inning quality start. However, the left-hander did yield multiple home runs, surrendering solo shots to Noelvi Marte and Stuart Fairchild. In 123.0 innings, Irvin has a 3.44 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He's on track to face the Cardinals in St. Louis next weekend.

Wood went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run during Sunday's 5-2 win over the Reds.

Wood's second career homer couldn't have come at a better time for Washington, as it broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning and provided closer Kyle Finnegan with three runs of cushion to finish off the win. The 21-year-old outfielder has appeared in 17 games with the Nationals this season, slashing .246/.319/.354 with 12 RBI and seven runs while striking out at a 33.3 percent clip.

Fairchild went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Sunday's 5-2 loss to Washington.

Since being activated from the injured list July 19, Fairchild has started in two of the Reds' three games and has logged a pair of hits with a homer and a stolen base. The long ball came Sunday in the fifth inning off Jake Irvin and tied the game up at 2-2. On the year, Fairchild has a .227/.299/.364 slash line across 195 plate appearances.

Phillips (2-0) picked up the win Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing four hits and a walk with three strikeouts over six scoreless innings.

Phillips was outstanding in his second career start, keeping the Pirates without an extra-base hit and generating his first quality start. The 26-year-old has been a worthy stand-in fifth starter for the Phillies and boasts a 2.81 ERA and a 15:1 K:BB across 16.0 innings in three big-league appearances. With Taijuan Walker (finger) not expected back until August, Phillips is lined up for another start, which should come during a three-game series against the Guardians next weekend.