MLB Player News

Pfaadt (2-9) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings as the Diamondbacks were downed 7-1 by the Yankees. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The rookie right-hander tied his career high in strikeouts, firing 58 of 81 pitches for strikes, but once again Pfaadt got lit up -- six of the eight hits off him went for extra bases, including two of Aaron Judge's three homers on the night. Pfaadt has served up 22 home runs through his first 90.1 big-league innings, leading to a 6.08 ERA, and until the 24-year-old learns to keep the ball in the park consistently, he'll be a risky fantasy option despite his strikeout upside. He figures to take the mound one more time before the regular season ends, on the road next week against the White Sox.

De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases in Friday's 7-5 loss to Pittsburgh.

The good and bad of De La Cruz was on the display Friday. He stole second and third base and eventually scored to put the Reds on top in the second inning. He gave back to the opponent later when a throwing error -- his 14th -- allowed Pittsburgh's winning run to score. De La Cruz's bat may slumber, but his legs refuse to take a break. Despite going 3-for-19 over the last seven games, the rookie has stolen five bases during that stretch. De La Cruz is up to 31 steals through 91 games.

Friedl went 2-for-2 with three walks, a home run, two RBI, a stolen base and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Pirates.

Friedl's two-run blast in the sixth inning gave Cincinnati its third (and final) one-run lead in the game, but the bullpen gave it back the next inning. The stolen base was Friedl's 25th and first one in 27 games.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Yankees.

Walker's ninth-inning home run was his 31st of the season and gave him a career-high 95 RBI. The slugging first baseman's bat has shown life after an eight-game stretch during which he went 1-for-29 with zero RBI. Walker is 6-for-21 (.286) with two doubles, a home run and four RBI over the last five contests.

Cecconi allowed one run on three hits and struck out two over 2.2 innings in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Yankees.

Starter Brandon Pfaadt lasted 13 outs and 81 pitches, so Arizona needed bulk relief from Cecconi, who was called up after Miguel Castro was placed on the paternity list. Both Cecconi and Pfaadt had one thing in common; each pitcher was taken deep by Aaron Judge. Pfaadt was tagged twice. Cecconi will pitch out of the bullpen and gives the Diamondbacks length. In a mixed role at the major-league level, the right-hander has a 4.33 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 27 innings.

Rodriguez went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Friday against the Reds.

Rodriguez popped a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, the third long ball of his career. He's struggled considerably across his last 10 starts, managing only a .167 batting average with three RBI and four runs scored. Positively, he's struck out at only a 20 percent clip in that span, so he could turn things around prior to the close of the regular season.

Davis went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Reds.

Davis hit his sixth homer of the season in the fifth inning, which also marked his first extra-base hit since being activated from the injured list Sept. 16. In five games since his return, he has a 65 percent strikeout rate with only one walk and three hits in 19 at-bats. He remains a near-everyday player in the Pittsburgh lineup, though he's most recently hit seventh or eighth.

Oritz allowed three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five across 3.2 innings Friday against the Reds. He didn't factor into the decision in the Pirates' 7-5 win.

After serving as a traditional starter for his last three turns through the rotation, Ortiz worked in bulk relief Friday. The results weren't impressive after he entered the game in the second inning, and he also worked inefficiently, needing 81 pitches to get 11 outs. Since rejoining the big-league club Aug 23., Ortiz has a 5.14 ERA and 1.171 WHIP with only a 21:20 K:BB across 28 frames. He'll likely make one more appearance prior to the close of the regular season, though his exact role remains unclear.

Luciano went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 5-1 win over the Dodgers.

The 22-year-old prospect has started the last two games at shortstop with Brandon Crawford (hamstring) on the injured list. Luciano is batting .333 (6-for-18) over six major-league contests but has a .223/.334/.442 slash line over 74 game between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento this year while struggling to stay healthy. Despite those numbers, he could close out the year with a starting role for the Giants. The steal was his first in the majors.

Fitzgerald went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-1 win over the Dodgers.

Fitzgerald's ninth-inning blast gave the Giants a little more breathing room against their division rivals. He's gone 2-for-6 with a walk and three RBI over his first two major-league games. Fitzgerald split time between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento this year, posting a combined .292/.365/.511 slash line with 22 home runs, 78 RBI, 87 runs scored, 32 stolen bases, 26 doubles and seven triples through 121 minor-league contests. While a natural infielder, he's made his first two big-league starts in center field, which could be bad news for Luis Matos over the last week-plus of the season.