MLB Player News

Phillips struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 22nd save of the season in an 8-5 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander needed just 11 pitches (eight strikes) to convert his 10th straight save chance, fanning Jake Alu and Carter Kieboom to wrap things up. Phillips' last blown save came in early July, and he sports a stellar 1.47 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB through 18.1 innings since the All-Star break.

Sheehan came away with a no-decision Friday in the Dodgers' 8-5 win over the Nationals, giving up five runs on six hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Twice the right-hander got handed a two-run lead, and twice he quickly coughed it up, serving up a three-run homer to Keibert Ruiz in the first inning and a two-run shot to CJ Abrams in the fifth. Sheehan's fallen short of five innings in each of his last three starts in the majors, posting a 5.84 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 13:5 K:BB and 3.6 HR/9 in 12.1 innings during those outings, and its not clear if he'll remain a regular member of the rotation over the final weeks of the season.

Steer started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 9-4 loss to St. Louis.

Steer, who never stole more than eight bases in a season while in the minors, stole his 13th bag for the Reds. His stint as the primary fill-in at second base could be ending soon, as Jonathan India (foot) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Friday. India is expected to return Tuesday, which means manager David Bell can take advantage of Steer's versatility, moving him between third base, first base and left field.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 2-for-5 in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand has been the primary fill-in at first base while Joey Votto (shoulder) has been sidelined. That steady gig will end this weekend, as Votto is expected to return Sunday after a two-game rehab stint at Triple-A Louisville. Cincinnati manager David Bell will need to find opportunities for Encarnacion-Strand at designated hitter, third base or first base going forward. And there's motivation to find him spots in the lineup. Encarnacion-Strand is 14-for-35 (.400) with five extra-base hits and six RBI over the last nine games.

Votto (shoulder) went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Votto began a short rehab assignment with the Bats, which is expected to last one more day before he's activated Sunday.

India (foot) went 1-for-2 with a walk, a double, two RBI and two runs scored for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

India kicked off a rehab assignment and was active on the left foot that cost him more than five weeks. Coming back from plantar fasciitis, he started at second base and played six innings. India will get at least another two games with the Bats and could return Tuesday, when the Reds begin a three-game set against the Tigers in Detroit.

Cruz allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Cardinals.

It was wild outing for Cruz, who made his first appearances after being reinstated from the COVID-19-related list Friday. He hit the first batter faced, walked the next, then threw a couple of wild pitches.

Lawlar started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Friday's 1-0 win over the Cubs.

Lawlar made a second consecutive start after getting called up Thursday. It was a version of the lineup that Arizona manager Torey Lovullo described as "where I'm at right now," to Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic. "I definitely had some options, but I just feel like for right now, I wanted to lean on him a little bit and continue to do so," the manager said. It sounds like Lawlar will be a near-everyday starter.

Suwinski went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Friday against Atlanta.

Suwinski has slumped for nearly the entire second half of the season and had lost playing time as a result. However, with Andrew McCutchen (Achilles) out for the season, Suwinski should take over a strong-side platoon role between designated hitter and the corner outfield. His recent production provides some hope that he can take advantage of the opportunity, as he has three home runs across his last eight games and has limited his strikeout rate to a relatively low 23.1 percent clip in that span.

Goodman went 1-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored Friday against the Giants.

Goodman lined a pitch to center field in the second inning to tally his second career triple. He also has at least one hit in eight of his first 10 games in the majors, including five extra-base hits across 31 at-bats. Given that success, it's little surprise that the Rockies have found Goodman regular playing time, split evenly between first base and the outfield.