MLB Player News

Hampson went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Phillies.

The utility player got the Marlins on the board in the fifth inning when he slashed an Aaron Nola fastball over the left-field fence. Hampson's playing time continues to pick up, both due to his current form and due to the lack of consistent production from the likes of Joey Wendle, and he's started five of the last nine games for Miami -- three at shortstop and two at third base. Over that stretch, Hampson's batting .391 (9-for-23) with two of his three homers on the season.

Cueto (1-4) took the loss Saturday as the Marlins were downed 8-4 by the Phillies, surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

All five runs scored in a disastrous second inning that put Miami in a hole its offense couldn't climb out of, and Cueto got the hook in the fourth after 92 pitches (61 strikes). It's the first time in seven starts the 37-year-old righty has failed to complete five innings, but he hasn't exactly been effective over that stretch, posting a 5.84 ERA through 37 innings thanks to 10 homers allowed despite a solid 1.22 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB. The Marlins remain in the NL wild-card hunt, sitting 1.5 games behind the Diamondbacks for the third and final spot heading into Sunday, but unless Sandy Alcantara (forearm) makes a heroic return, Cueto isn't likely to be dropped from the rotation. He faces a potentially tough matchup in his next outing, as he lines up to take the mound next weekend in a home series against Atlanta.

Thomas went 1-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Dodgers.

The outfielder had missed the last three games due to back soreness and was being eased back into action as the DH in this one, but Thomas looked completely healthy as he swiped his 18th bag of the season in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch, then lofted his 24th homer in the seventh off Bobby Miller. Thomas has left the yard in four straight games sandwiched around his absence, going 8-for-17 over that stretch with eight RBI.

Finnegan gave up a run on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning Saturday to blow the save in an eventual 7-6 win for the Nationals. He struck out one.

Called upon to protect a 5-4 lead, Finnegan and batterymate Keibert Ruiz instead found themselves helpless to stop the Dodgers' running game. The three baserunners the right-hander put aboard swiped four bags between them, and it took a great defensive effort by Luis Garcia to escape the inning without further damage. Finnegan's had a rocky last few weeks, getting tagged for runs in six of his last 10 appearances, but while he's now blown eight of his 33 save chances on the season, this was his first since July 14. Hunter Harvey also coughed up two runs in the eighth, but he's been the more effective reliever of late and could reclaim his spot as the Nats' primary closer down the stretch.

Irvin came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Nationals' 7-6 extra-innings win over the Dodgers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The 26-year-old righty delivered his fourth quality start in his last five outings and out-pitched more heralded rookie Bobby Miller in the process, but Irvin saw his potential fourth win of the season slip away when Kyle Finnegan blew the save in the ninth. Since the beginning of August, Irvin has produced an impressive 2.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 30:12 K:BB through 34 innings as he looks to lock himself into the Nats' 2024 rotation plans. He's next set to take the mound next weekend in Milwaukee.

Wong went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Nationals.

The second baseman nearly played hero for the Dodgers, singling home James Outman in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game at 5-5 and then swiping second and third, only to be stranded when Will Smith grounded out. It was only Wong's second start since being picked up by Los Angeles, but he's appeared in four other September games as a pinch hitter and late-inning defensive replacement, going 2-for-11 overall with a homer, four RBI and Saturday's two steals.

Miller came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Dodgers' 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Nationals, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

First pitch was delayed by over four hours due to rain, and Miller ended up delivering an erratic performance once the tarp was rolled back. The rookie right-hander set a new personal best for strikeouts in a start, generating 33 called or swinging strikes on 99 pitches, but he also gave up more than four runs for the first time since June 24. Miller also served up a homer for the fourth straight outing -- a two-run shot by Lane Thomas in the seventh inning -- and over that stretch he has a 4.78 ERA and 22:6 K:BB through 26.1 innings. Miller will look to get back on track in his next start, likely to come next weekend in Seattle.

Profar went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double Saturday in a loss to the Astros.

Profar signed a minor-league contract to return to the Padres organization Sept. 1 and got called up to the big club Friday. He made the start at first base one day later and gave the Padres their first lead in the fourth inning with his two-run blast to right field. He ended the contest as one of two San Diego players with multiple hits, though his contributions weren't enough to carry the team to a win. Profar could be in the mix to get starts at first base down the stretch -- Garrett Cooper and Matt Carpenter have been splitting time there of late with Jake Cronenworth (wrist) and Ji-Man Choi (ankle) potentially out for the season.

Lugo (6-7) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings.

Lugo surrendered just one long ball in the outing -- a third-inning solo shot by Yordan Alvarez -- but Houston racked up three doubles among its seven hits against him. Two of the two-baggers came in the fifth frame, resulting in three of the five runs the Astros piled on in that inning. Lugo had been on a roll coming into Saturday, allowing just two earned runs while posting a 23:6 K:BB over 24 frames covering his previous four starts. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, tentatively slated to come in Oakland late next week.

Bard (forearm) threw a bullpen session Sept. 5, MLB.com reports.

Bard landed on the injured list Sept. 3, but he felt well enough to throw only a few days later. He is hoping to return in time to make three or four more appearances this season, though the team has yet to provide a clear timeline for his potential activation.