MLB Player News

Harper went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Cardinals.

Harper struck out in his first three at-bats before launching a three-run shot in the sixth inning. The veteran slugger has now reached base in 25 straight games dating back to July 26, a stretch in which he's tallied five home runs, 14 RBI, 21 runs scored and a fantastic 29:22 BB:K. On the year, he's slashing .257/.378/.492 with 26 homers, 75 RBI, 82 runs scored and seven steals across 555 plate appearances.

Mlodzinski is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Lake Bachar during Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Bachar will likely be limited to around 1-to-3 innings before giving way to Mlodzinski, who has been essentially serving as the Pirates' fifth starter since the Aug. 3 trade deadline but has yet to be trusted with a full workload. Over his last three outings, Mlodzinski hasn't covered more than three innings and has posted a 14.04 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB across 8.1 total frames.

Bachar will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Bachar tossed one inning and 32 pitches in his most recent appearance in Friday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to Los Angeles, so he'll probably be capped at around two or three frames while he opens the series finale. Carmen Mlodzinski is expected to work in bulk relief behind Bachar.

Arozarena went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and a walk in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Cubs.

Arozarena played the part of hero, cranking a walk-off two-run shot Saturday. Additionally, it was the outfielder's first multi-homer game of the season and the ninth of his career. Through 526 plate appearances, Arozarena is slashing a healthy .275/.369/.463 with 19 homers, 26 doubles, 57 RBI, 20 stolen bases and 83 runs scored.

Mathews (0-2) took the loss against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings.

Mathews endured two ugly innings despite throwing 67 of 99 pitches for strikes and allowing just two extra-base hits. It was the worst of the 25-year-old's three starts with the Cardinals, and he's been unable to exceed five frames despite throwing 95 pitches or more in each outing. He owns an inflated 6.43 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB across 14 major-league innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Pirates next weekend.

Webb (6-3) took the loss and blew the save Saturday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Summoned to protect a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning, Webb served up a walk-off, two-run homer to Randy Arozarena. While Webb has fared admirably as the Cubs' closer and hadn't experienced much of a hitch in quite some time -- he was last scored upon June 20 versus Toronto prior to Saturday -- it wouldn't be surprising if Daniel Palencia, who just got back from the injured list, sees the club's next save opportunity. Through 57.2 innings, Webbs sports a 2.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 64:20 K:BB with eight holds plus nine saves (14 attempts)

Painter (3-8) earned the win against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Per Paul Casella of MLB.com, Painter set career highs in innings (seven), whiffs (20) and pitches (100) while throwing first-pitch strikes to 22 of 27 hitters. It continued a solid stretch for the rookie since returning to the rotation, as he's posted a 3.62 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB over five starts since July 31. He owns a 6.04 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 79:34 K:BB across 92.1 innings this season and will look to keep improving in a favorable road matchup with the Angels next weekend.

Peterson took a no-decision against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out eight.

After recently shifting to the bullpen, Peterson delivered six strong innings in his return to the rotation Saturday following Edward Cabrera's (finger) placement back on the injured list. Peterson, who had been in line for the win before Jacob Webb blew the save, fanned a season-high eight in his third quality start of the season, all of which have come with the Cubs. Peterson will bring a solid 3.93 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB over 50.1 innings for the Cubs into his next scheduled outing against the division-rival Reds.

Kikuchi (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Rangers in Arlington, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Despite submitting a horrid 15.63 ERA and 2.37 WHIP in 12.2 innings across four minor-league outings, Kikuchi checked out fine physically and built up his pitch count enough for the Angels to feel comfortable inserting him back into the rotation after a nearly four-month stay on the shelf. In his seven starts with the Angels prior to hitting the IL due to left shoulder inflammation, Kikuchi posted an 0-3 record with a 5.81 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 31 innings.

Anderson took a no-decision against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Making his highly anticipated major-league debut, the 22-year-old southpaw fired four shutout innings to begin Saturday's outing before faltering a bit. The Cubs tagged Anderson for a pair of solo home runs in the sixth inning to spoil what had been an outstanding opening act up, but the rookie hurler still showed plenty of promise overall. Anderson, widely regarded as the top pitching prospect in baseball, is tentatively slated to make his second big-league appearance next weekend in Toronto.