MLB Player News

The Pirates outrighted Heller to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Heller passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. The reliever yielded 12 runs (11 earned) over just two innings during his brief time with the Pirates this season.

Pederson went 2-for-5 with a walk, a home run, five RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday's 11-1 over the Angels.

Pederson was responsible for Arizona's final five runs, belting a grand slam in the seventh inning then singling in the final run an inning later. The homer was the first in 10 games for Pederson, who entered on a 4-for-27 (.148) run over the previous nine contests.

Pfaadt (3-5) earned the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over six innings while striking out eight.

Pfaadt allowed the leadoff man to reach base in two of his first three innings, but escaped unscathed via double plays on each occasion. He would then surrender an RBI single to Mickey Moniak in the fourth before going on to log his seventh quality start of the campaign. The right-hander has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last six outings, going 2-2 over that stretch. Pfaadt's also recorded at least seven strikeouts in four of his last six starts.

Suarez started at third base and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Thursday's 11-1 win over the Angels. He was also hit by a pitch.

Suarez returned to the lineup after being replaced at the hot corner by Blaze Alexander the previous day. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Alexander will be given more opportunities at third with Suarez (.195/.267/.309) mired in a season-long slump.

Newman started at shortstop and went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's 11-1 over the Angels.

Newman delivered a two-run single in the seventh inning, then after stealing his third bag of the season, trotted home on Joc Pederson's grand slam. Newman made his first start in three games; he had been the primary shortstop until Geraldo Perdomo was activated off the IL on Tuesday. Newman will work in a utility role and could see action all around the infield, although he's only appeared at shortstop and second base so far in 2024.

Walker went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Thursday's 11-1 win over the Angels.

Walker told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that he was not happy with how he was handling fastballs, so he put in extra work in the batting cage this week. It paid off immediately when Walker belted a three-run homer off a four-seamer in the first inning to give Arizona a 3-0 lead. "I've been missing fastballs [and fouling them] straight back a little bit and it's been bothering me," Walker said. He followed that up with a solo shot in the third -- a slider this time. The first baseman has three long balls over the last two games and leads the team with 15 home runs and 46 RBI through 69 contests.

Chisholm went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Mets.

Chisholm gave the Marlins a 2-0 lead with his seventh inning solo shot, but the Mets ultimately rallied for the victory on a J.D. Martinez walk-off blast. The long ball was Chisholm's 10th of the season, and he notched his 13th stolen base in the contest as well. The talented center fielder is one of nine major-leaguers to reach double-digit homers and steals so far this season.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double Thursday in a 3-2 win against the Marlins.

Martinez accounted for both of New York's extra-base hits in the victory, with his first knock being a seventh-inning double that contributed to the team's first run. The veteran slugger's second hit was more dramatic -- he took Miami closer Tanner Scott deep for a two-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was Martinez's 321st career long ball and the first walk-off home run of his 14-year career. He's gone deep six times through 168 plate appearances this season.

Scott (5-5) took the loss and blew a save against the Mets on Thursday, allowing two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one-third of an inning.

Scott was 8-for-9 in save chances coming into Thursday and hadn't blown a save since mid-April. In fact, he had rattled off 19 straight outings without allowing an earned run, racking up five wins and seven saves during that stretch. However, the southpaw couldn't protect a one-run, ninth-inning lead versus New York, issuing a leadoff walk to Francisco Lindor before serving up a walk-off two-run blast to J.D. Martinez two batters later. Despite the implosion Thursday, Scott has pitched well enough this season to not currently be in danger of losing his closing role, but that success could also make him a prime candidate to be dealt by the rebuilding Marlins.

Munoz pitched six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out five batters.

Munoz remained in the rotation despite struggling in his previous start, and that decision paid off for Miami as the rookie right-hander recorded the best start of his big-league career. The only hit Munoz allowed was a sixth-inning single by Harrison Bader, and Bader was soon thrown out trying to steal second. Munoz was in line for the win when he departed following that frame, but he had to settle for a no-decision due to a ninth-inning implosion by closer Tanner Scott. Munoz will almost certainly remain in the rotation for the time being given his fantastic outing Wednesday, though he could eventually be pushed back to the minors when Edward Cabrera (shoulder) and Ryan Weathers (finger) are ready to return.