MLB Player News

Hernandez went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's extra-innings win over Boston.

Hernandez didn't enter the contest until he was put in to pinch hit for Gavin Lux in the seventh inning, though the former would make his presence felt, launching a leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 4-4. The utility man added an RBI single in his third at-bat to tie the game again in extra innings, giving him his first multi-hit performance this month. Hernandez has now homered twice in his last eight at-bats, though his average still sits at just .198 on the season.

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

Smyly continues to pitch well for the Cubs in a long-relief role, as he's allowed just one run this month in six appearances. Overall, the veteran lefty has lowered his ERA to 2.92, which would be the second-lowest mark of his 11-year MLB career. Chicago seems content to keep Smyly in the bullpen, though fifth starter Kyle Hendricks has a 6.69 ERA and could get bumped from the rotation if the team decides to mix things up at some point.

Atlanta recalled Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Dodd may be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale with the Cardinals, but Atlanta could elect to stay away from the left-hander so that he can make a start during the club's upcoming three-game series with the Reds this week. Atlanta has an opening in its rotation after Max Fried was surprisingly placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday in a corresponding move due to left forearm neuritis. After turning in a 7.60 ERA over seven starts with the big club in 2023, Dodd has pitched exclusively for Gwinnett thus far in 2024, logging a 4.99 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 76:26 K:BB across 83 innings.

Atlanta placed Fried on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to left forearm neuritis.

The 30-year-old was expected to make his first start of the second half in the upcoming series against the Reds early this week, but the forearm issue will instead send him to the IL. Fried will be eligible to be reinstated in early August, though it wouldn't be surprising if his absence extends beyond that, given the nature of the injury. Dylan Dodd was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move and could have the first crack at filling Fried's rotation spot.

Senga (shoulder/triceps) said his "body feels good" after a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, during which he allowed five runs on eight hits with one strikeout and three walks over three-plus innings, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The results aren't ideal for the 31-year-old in what was expected to be his final minor-league rehab outing, but the important thing is he continued to build up his workload while staying healthy. Senga gave up just one run in his other three rehab outings, so there shouldn't be much concern regarding his performance. Assuming everything checks out when the right-hander rejoins the big-league club to be evaluated, Senga is expected to return from the 60-day injured list and make his season debut Friday at home versus Atlanta, per Tim Healey of Newsday.

Wheeler (back) is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Twins at Target Field.

Just as manager Rob Thomson had suggested would be the case heading into the All-Star break, Wheeler won't have to miss another turn through the rotation and will get the ball for the Phillies' fifth game of the second half. Wheeler was unable to make a start last weekend against the Athletics while he contended with back spasms, but after getting extended rest over the All-Star break, he looks to be healthy again. The right-hander has met expectations for fantasy managers who invested an early-round pick, as he'll head into Tuesday's outing with a 10-4 record, 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 126 strikeouts in 116.2 innings over 19 starts.

Wrobleski did not factor into the decision in a win over the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks over 4.1 scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Wrobleski fanned three of the first five batters he faced but struggled with his command throughout his 4.1 innings of work. The rookie threw only eight of his 17 first pitches for strikes and reached 83 pitches overall before being relieved by Yohan Ramirez in the fifth. On a positive note, Wrobleski induced 15 whiffs in the contest and hasn't allowed more than five hits in any of his first three starts to open the campaign. Saturday also marked the first scoreless outing for the lefty this season, though he's now allowed two walks in three straight.

Suarez (back) is listed as the Phillies' probable starter for Monday's game against the Twins at Target Field.

Suarez opted to skip out on pitching in the All-Star Game this past week while he had contended with back tightness leading up to the end of the first half of the season, but as expected, he'll be ready to pitch in the Phillies' second series coming out of the break. Despite being lit up for 15 earned runs over 15.2 innings across his last three starts, Suarez still has maintained sterling ratios over his 19 outings on the season (2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 18.8 K-BB%). His fantasy managers can feel comfortable activating him in what shapes up as a two-start week for Suarez, who is lined up to get the ball again next weekend in Cleveland.

Cruz went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.

The young shortstop carried the Pirates' offense, with his two-run homer in the eighth inning off Matt Strahm giving his club some valuable insurance. Cruz has collected multiple hits in three straight games and has driven in at least one run in four straight, and he's slashing .348/.380/.652 through 50 plate appearances in July with five doubles, three homers, a steal, eight runs and 14 RBI. Cruz also has a 2:16 BB:K on the month, but as long as he's crushing the ball when he does make contact, he'll be a valuable fantasy asset.

Ortiz (5-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out two.

The right-hander continued an impressive stretch that has seen him give up only three runs in 26.2 innings over his last five appearances (four starts) with a 23:3 K:BB. Ortiz may not be able to hang onto a rotation spot once Jared Jones (lat) gets healthy no matter how well he does, but he's making a strong case to be in the Pirates' long-term pitching plans. Ortiz will take a 2.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB through 73.2 innings this season into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Arizona.