MLB Player News

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Athletics.

Abreu tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth inning when he launched the first of back-to-back homers with Willson Contreras, completing the comeback. Abreu has struggled since a memorable weekend coming out of the All-Star break in which he clubbed four home runs in two games against the Rays. He entered Thursday's contest batting .077 (3-for-39) over his last 10 games.

Vasquez covered 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Giants, striking out a batter while allowing three hits and one walk.

Vasquez got the start in his previous appearance but worked in tandem with JP Sears, pitching the first 2.2 innings before the lefty came on to cover the next 3.1 frames. The two essentially swapped roles Thursday, with Sears starting and yielding three earned runs over 3.2 innings before Vasquez entered in the top of the fifth to mop up. Sears and Vasquez may end up piggybacking again the next time through the rotation Tuesday in Arizona, though the makeup of the San Diego pitching staff could change by Monday's trade deadline.

Marquez is likely to work multiple innings in relief behind opener Bradgley Rodriguez in Friday's game against the Giants, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Rodriguez has covered exactly one inning in each of his previous three starts this season, so he'll likely be in line to work the opening frame again Friday before the Padres turn the game over to the bullpen. Marquez will be available on six days' rest and should be capable of providing some length after starting each of his last four appearances. He went 1-0 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in 14.1 innings during that stretch.

De La Cruz went 3-for-4 with a walk, three doubles, two steals, an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

De La Cruz, who scored the game-winning run on a walk-off fielder's choice, filled the box score like he's done many times before. The multi-hit effort was his third in the last five games, and the two steals upped his total to 20, the fourth consecutive season with at least 20 thefts. Since the All-Star break, De La Cruz has posted a slash line of .308/.400/.577 with with eight walks, three doubles, one triple, three home runs, four RBI and six steals over 13 games.

The Mets optioned Pintaro to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Pintaro was up as the 27th man on the roster for Wednesday's doubleheader versus Atlanta, but he did not appear in either contest. The righty has permitted seven runs with a 12:3 K:BB over 12.1 frames during his time with the Mets this season.

Rodriguez will serve as the opener for Friday's game against the Giants, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Rodriguez will draw his fourth start of the season, but he's been limited to one inning in each of those appearances and will presumably be in line for a similar workload Friday. German Marquez is likely to pitch multiple innings in relief once Rodriguez exits the game, per Levitt.

McLain started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Pirates.

McLain, who was activated from the 10-day injured list earlier in the day, singled in his first at-bat and scored on an Elly De La Cruz double. The Reds cleared a roster spot for McLain's return by optioning Edwin Arroyo to Triple-A Louisville. That, coupled with Spencer Steer's wrist injury, should create a path to regular plate appearances for McLain as the primary second baseman.

Osuna went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay.

Osuna singled and scored ahead of Wyatt Langford's double in the fifth inning and then stole his fifth bag of the season in the seventh. Since Langford returned from an injury earlier this month, Osuna's playing time has taken a hit. He's started just five times and has 23 plate appearances over 15 contests since Langford rejoined the club.

Whisenhunt is slated to start Friday's game against the Padres in San Diego.

Whisenhunt will receive a second turn through the rotation after he took the loss last Sunday against the Angels, striking out seven and allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. With Trevor McDonald (elbow) and Hayden Birdsong (elbow) done for the season and Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle both candidates to be dealt ahead of Monday's trade deadline, Whisenhunt should have a fairly clear path to sticking around in the rotation.

Springs (hip) is listed as the Athletics' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers in Sacramento.

The left-hander exited his previous start Sunday midway through the second inning due to right hip discomfort, but he was apparently able to navigate his between-starts throwing program without issue. Returning to the bump at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, Springs won't be a recommended lineup option in the majority of fantasy leagues. He hasn't delivered a quality start since May 17 and has gone 0-6 with an 8.82 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in his last 11 outings.