MLB Player News

Bennett (3-3) earned the win against the Angels on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six over 7.2 innings. He also tossed a wild pitch but did not walk a batter.

This was Bennett's longest outing of the season, and he came just four outs shy of tossing a complete game, though by the time he left the mound, he was already at 92 pitches (61 strikes). Bennett has been pitching very well of late, and this was his fourth consecutive outing allowing two earned runs or fewer. He owns a 1.78 ERA and 0.67 WHIP across 25.1 innings over that stretch, and he's slated to make his next start on the road against the White Sox.

Palmquist will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in front of Zack Littell during Saturday's game against the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Palmquist, who was recalled from Triple-A Rochester earlier this week, most recently logged an inning of relief in Boston on Wednesday. He'll likely be capped at an inning or two once again Saturday before giving way to Littell.

Littell will work in bulk relief during Saturday's game against the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Carson Palmquist will open the game for the Nationals but is likely to cover an inning or two before Littell takes over. Littell has notched a 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 23.2 innings following an opener this season and a 6.07 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 56.1 innings as a traditional starter.

De La Cruz went 1-for-3 with two walks and two stolen bases in Friday's 3-0 loss to Baltimore.

De La Cruz continued to put a three-week absence due to a hamstring injury behind him, hitting safely in a sixth consecutive game (8-for-25). More promising are the two steals, his first since being activated off the injured list June 23. He's up to 12 stolen bases through 68 games this season.

Hayes (back) will stick with High-A Dayton this weekend and then have his rehab moved to Triple-A Louisville next week, MLB.com reports.

Hayes opened a rehab assignment with the Dragons on Friday, going 1-for-3 with a run scored while playing five innings at third base. He'll play an unspecified number of games for Louisville before rejoining the Reds. Given how close it is to the All-Star break, the organization may wait until after the Midsummer Classic to activate Hayes.

McCann (quadriceps) will play Saturday and Sunday for Triple-A Reno and could then rejoin the Diamondbacks, MLB.com reports.

McCann began a rehab assignment Thursday for Aces, going 0-for-4 while catching seven innings. The back-to-back games this weekend set McCann up to rejoin Arizona for Monday's game in San Diego.

Grisham went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 5-2 win over the Twins.

Activated from the injured list earlier in the day, Grisham got the start in center field and hit leadoff, and he punctuated a seven-pitch at-bat in his first plate appearance by lofting a Mike Paredes changeup into the right-field short porch at Yankee Stadium. Grisham missed just under three weeks with a hamstring strain, but he's hit safely in eight straight games sandwiched around his IL stint, batting .424 (14-for-33) during that hot streak with five extra-base hits (two doubles, a triple and two homers), two steals, six RBI and nine runs.

Moreno went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 7-4 extra-innings loss to the Brewers.

Moreno plated Arizona's first run as part of a three-run third inning that erased Milwaukee's early 3-0 lead. He's been one of the Diamondbacks' hottest hitters of late, batting .357 (25-for-70) over the last 20 contests.

Bednar struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 17th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Twins.

The veteran closer fired 11 of 17 pitches for strikes as he converted his seventh straight save chance, with his last blown save coming May 17. Over 16 innings since then, Bednar has delivered a 0.56 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB, and he's reeled off 13 straight scoreless appearances.

Cole (3-3) picked up the win in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Twins, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander had to cool his heels during a 53-minute rain delay in the middle of the third inning, but Cole returned to the mound and stayed in for two more frames to make sure he qualified for the win, finally getting lifted after 88 pitches (63 strikes). Cole did serve up another homer, a solo shot to Kody Clemens in the first inning, but Cole's seven strikeouts represent his highest total since he fanned 10 back on May 27, his second outing of the season. Through eight starts since his belated 2026 debut, Cole has a 4.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB over 42.2 innings. He's set to make his next start on the road next week in Tampa Bay.