MLB Player News

Grichuk hit a two-run home run in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Padres.

Grichuk put Arizona ahead with his ninth-inning blast after pinch hitting for Ketel Marte (back). This was Grichuk's first homer since June 11, and he hit a paltry .194 over the 14 games between long balls. For the season, the outfielder has a .292/.347/.462 slash line, three homers, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, 11 doubles and one triple across 144 plate appearances. He continues to fill a short-side platoon role in the outfield.

Toglia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Royals.

Toglia has been in the midst of a slump, as he entered Friday's game having collected only three hits across 19 at-bats in his last six matchups. He ended that with a solo home run in the third inning, his 10th long ball of the campaign. Toglia has shown an all-or-nothing approach at the plate this season, as he has a 32.3 percent strikeout rate paired with a .245 ISO in 158 plate appearances.

Pederson went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Padres.

Pederson has gone 5-for-13 with three homers and four RBI over his first four games in July. The slugger is up to 13 long balls, 38 RBI, 34 runs scored and four stolen bases across 250 plate appearances this season. He's managed to hit for both average (.289) and power (.531 slugging percentage), though he's typically had trouble maintaining the former over the course of a full season.

Palacios went 1-for-3 with a walk and three runs scored Friday against the Mets.

Palacios was recalled to the majors Thursday but had to wait an additional day for his first start. He batted leadoff and was effective in the role, though Andrew McCutchen was out of the lineup for rest and will presumably hit atop the order upon his return.

Thomas went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Padres.

Thomas' blast erased most of a five-run deficit in the ninth inning. It was the outfielder's second homer in seven games this season, as he missed three months with a hamstring injury. He's added eight RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored. Thomas has reclaimed a starting role in center field since his return, though he may sit out against the occasional left-handed starter, as the Diamondbacks have two right-handed-hitting outfielders in Lourdes Gurriel and Randal Grichuk.

Suwinski went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk Friday against the Mets.

Suwinski has had a disappointing season, but he's shown signs of turning things around in a very limited recent sample. Friday's long ball was his eighth of the season, and he now has three extra-base hits across his last four games. Suwinski still has just a .148 ISO and 67 wRC+ for the season, though he's remained in the starting lineup against righties.

Sewald (0-2) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while failing to record an out, taking a blown save and the loss versus the Padres on Friday.

After a sterling start to the year, Sewald has fallen flat to begin July. He's allowed five runs over two appearances this month, resulting in a blown save and a loss in both instances. He's now at a 3.12 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 17.1 innings while converting 11 of his 13 save chances on the year. The Diamondbacks are already lagging behind in the wild-card race, and Sewald's newfound struggles won't help them make up ground. If he continues to falter, he may have to settle for being part of a closer committee with a new team if he's traded this month.

Grandal went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two runs scored Friday against the Mets.

Grandal has provided very little offensive punch this season, and his solo home run in the eighth inning was his first long ball since May 13. It was also just his fourth multi-hit performance of the campaign. Despite his struggles, Grandal remains a fixture in the lineup, having started five of Pittsburgh's last seven games.

Cecconi allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Friday.

Cecconi was spared the loss only because the Diamondbacks rallied in the top of the ninth inning. This was the sixth time in seven appearances since the start of June that Cecconi failed to complete five innings. He's now at a 6.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 50:12 K:BB through 62 innings over 13 outings (12 starts) this season. The 25-year-old's next start is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.

Higashioka went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 10-8 win over the Diamondbacks.

Higashioka has launched five of his 10 homers this season over his last nine games. He went deep in the sixth inning of this contest to stretch the Padres' lead to 7-2. The catcher is at a .220/.254/.541 slash line with 25 RBI, 15 runs scored, three doubles and a triple over 114 plate appearances. Higashioka's playing time is likely to decrease with Luis Campusano (thumb) getting activated from the injured list Friday, but the former played well enough in the latter's absence to justify a timeshare role behind the dish.