MLB Player News

Betts went 4-for-5 with a run in a loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

All four knocks were singles, but it was still a promising performance after Betts went 1-for-16 over his previous five games. The star shortstop is in the midst of a quiet season offensively, as his .685 OPS through 78 contests is easily on pace for a career-worst mark. It's worth noting that Betts was carrying a .657 OPS before collecting three hits on the same date (Aug. 5) last year, spurring a hot stretch that resulted in an .892 OPS across his final 47 contests, so there's at least a precedent for those hoping the 2018 AL MVP can turn things around before the end of the campaign.

Valdez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

Valdez has really been fighting it at the plate lately. He's 0-for-13 with 11 strikeouts so far in August, and over his last 15 contests is just 5-for-45 with 35.5 percent strikeout rate. He will get a day Thursday to regroup while Ronny Simon fills in in right field for the Pirates.

Muncy went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in a loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

With Los Angeles down 7-1 in the eighth inning, Muncy began a Dodgers rally by slugging a three-run blast to right-center field. The team was able to close the gap to one run in the same frame but ultimately suffered its sixth straight loss. For Muncy, the long ball snapped a six-game stretch without an extra-base hit or an RBI. The veteran third baseman has posted a .218/.306/.527 slash line with five home runs, 12 RBI, eight runs and a stolen base over 16 games since the All-Star break.

Leonard went 1-for-3 with a double in Wednesday's 6-0 loss to the Rangers.

After making his big-league debut in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers, Leonard collected his first major-league hit Wednesday, a double to left field in the second inning. The versatile 25-year-old was called up from Triple-A Sacramento following a busy trade deadline for San Francisco; however, Victor Bericoto (oblique) began his rehab assignment Wednesday, so Leonard isn't guaranteed to remain with the parent club for an extended period.

Bericoto (oblique) went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Triple-A Sacramento's 13-10 extra-innings loss to Round Rock on Wednesday.

Bericoto has been on the 10-day injured list since July 10 due to a left oblique strain, though he appears to be nearing a return to the majors after beginning a rehab assignment Thursday. The 24-year-old outfielder lined a double to center field in the first inning before coming around to score. He also collected an RBI on a groundout in the second. Before landing on the IL, Bericoto slashed .293/.305/.552 with nine RBI, seven runs scored, four long balls and a stolen base across 59 plate appearances with the Giants.

House went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Jorbit Vivas got the start at third base Wednesday with right-hander Andrew Painter on the mound for Philly, but House came off the bench in the seventh inning to face southpaw Brooks Raley and launched a game-tying homer to the opposite field. House may be falling into a short-side platoon role, but Vivas isn't exactly doing much to earn a consistent spot in the lineup with a .519 OPS, zero home runs and zero steals since the beginning of July. House's own numbers suggest he's better suited for his current usage, however -- he sports a .355/.412/.597 slash line against lefties this season, but a .174/.220/.318 line against righties.

Kelly is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Kelly and Miguel Amaya have rotated starts at catcher for the Cubs in each of the last 10 games. It will be Amaya behind the dish Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Williams has been nursing right arm fatigue but is available out of the Mets' bullpen for Thursday's game in Cleveland, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

He was unavailable Wednesday, leading to Daniel Duarte closing things down to notch his second career save. Williams will be ready for a save opportunity Thursday should one present itself, and the Mets do not seem concerned at this point that Williams' fatigue will be a recurring issue.

The Cubs optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Ferguson had pitched each of the last two days -- including throwing 29 pitches over two scoreless frames versus the Dodgers on Wednesday -- so he's being replaced by a fresh reliever. The 32-year-old has logged a 3.45 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 15.2 innings for the Cubs, so he's likely to be back with the big club sooner rather than later.

The Cubs recalled Garrett from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Acquired from the Marlins at the trade deadline, Garrett's role with the Cubs for now appears to be as a long-relief option. The left-hander has been tagged for seven runs with a 5:8 K:BB over 4.1 innings in the majors this season, but he's collected a 2.90 ERA and 83:29 K:BB covering 77.2 frames in 2026 at the Triple-A level.