MLB Player News

Rea (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5.2 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Nationals.

Rea was lit up for seven runs over five innings in his last start, so the Brewers opted to have him work behind an opener Sunday. The plan was a success, as he turned in a strong performance, with the seven strikeouts being one shy of his season high. The 34-year-old has put up decent numbers this year with a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 76:31 K:BB over 105 innings across 19 appearances (16 starts). Rea should remain in the Brewers' rotation following the All-Star break, though it's unclear if he'll resume working as a traditional starter or end up pitching behind an opener more often in the second half.

Donovan went 3-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Donovan has six multi-hit efforts over 13 games in July, going 18-for-52 (.346) in that span. The steal was his first since June 26 and his third of the campaign. The 27-year-old is up to a .276/.345/.411 slash line with eight home runs, 45 RBI, 43 runs scored, 22 doubles and one triple over 91 contests this season. Donovan has primarily played in left field, though he occasionally spells Nolan Gorman at second base or Nolan Arenado at third.

Burleson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Burleson heads into the All-Star break on a tear with four homers and 11 RBI across his last seven games. The outfielder is up to a .288/.320/.494 slash line, 17 long balls, 53 RBI, 41 runs scored, 14 doubles and seven stolen bases across 89 contests. Burleson still doesn't have one set position, but he's able to maintain a near-everyday role between the corner outfield spots, first base and designated hitter.

Mikolas (7-8) allowed six runs on eight hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 5.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Cubs.

Four of the eight hits Mikolas allowed were homers, including two by Pete Crow-Armstrong. Prior to Sunday, Mikolas had allowed just one homer over his last six starts, though this was the fourth time this season he's given up multiple long balls. The veteran right-hander concludes the first half with a 5.13 ERA, which would be his worst in six seasons as a Cardinal, while adding a 1.22 WHIP and 77:18 K:BB through 112.1 innings over 20 starts.

Nido went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Cardinals.

This was Nido's first homer as a Cub after signing with the team June 19. The catcher has hit safely in five of his last seven games, generating three RBI in that span. For the season, he's at a .202/.229/.331 slash line with four homers, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored and four doubles across 133 plate appearances between the Cubs and the Mets.

Happ went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Cardinals.

Happ has enjoyed a productive July so far, going 15-for-46 (.326) with four homers and 13 RBI over 13 games. The outfielder is up to 15 homers, 57 RBI, 53 runs scored, 23 doubles and seven stolen bases while slashing .243/.352/.548 through 92 contests. Happ has maintained his starting role in left field even through cold stretches, so there's little risk of him losing playing time once this hot streak ends.

Crow-Armstrong went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs, a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Cardinals.

Entering Sunday, Crow-Armstrong had just one homer all season. He finally flashed some power by taking Miles Mikolas deep in the third and fifth innings to triple his homer total on the year. Crow-Armstrong has added 17 RBI, 11 runs scored, 16 stolen bases and a .203/.253/.329 slash line over 174 plate appearances. With Cody Bellinger suffering a fractured finger Wednesday, Crow-Armstrong may have a bit more time to make his case to stay in the majors after the All-Star break.

Morel went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Cardinals.

Morel hit a two-run blast in the sixth inning and a solo shot in the eighth to pad the Cubs' lead in the contest. This was his first multi-hit effort since June 22, though he's hit safely in 10 of 12 games in July, batting .229 (11-for-48) for the month. Overall, Morel has 18 long balls, 50 RBI, 42 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 96 contests, though he's slashing a light .202/.303/.387 on the year.

Taillon (7-4) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 5.2 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cardinals.

Taillon came an out shy of his seventh straight quality start, but he was still able to capture his third win in a row. He's also given up a home run in six straight starts, as Alec Burleson tagged him for a solo shot in the sixth inning. Taillon is now at a 3.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 75:18 K:BB through 93 innings over 16 starts this season.

Walston (elbow) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until sometime in August, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

After turning in a 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB in 12.2 innings through his first three big-league outings (two starts), Walston was placed on the 15-day injured list June 6. His injury was initially classified as left elbow inflammation, but the Diamondbacks have since listed him with a left elbow strain, according to MLB.com. While Walston has resumed throwing off flat ground from 60 to 100 feet, the Diamondbacks haven't yet indicated that he's been cleared for bullpen sessions, so he still looks to be several weeks away from being stretched back out for a starter's workload. All of Jordan Montgomery (knee), Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) and Merrill Kelly (shoulder) are further along in their throwing progressions and appear poised to beat Walston back from the injured list, so the 22-year-old southpaw will most likely be optioned to Triple-A Reno once he's activated.