MLB Player News

Steer (wrist) was cleared Friday to begin range-of-motion activity, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer was examined in Arizona by a specialist, who cleared him to increase activity. "All is going really well," manager Terry Francona said. "He will begin more range of motion [exercises], start to get a bat in his hand." That's good news for Steer, but it doesn't guarantee he'll return before the end of the regular season. "The goal is we want him to have a normal offseason," Francona said. "We might be pushing it if we try to do it by the end of the season." The Reds are considering having Steer play in the Arizona Fall League, which is typically reserved for prospects.

Nelson (elbow) will make one more rehab appearance at Triple-A Reno before rejoining the Diamondbacks, MLB.com reports.

Nelson has thrown a pair of scoreless innings and struck out four over his first two rehab outings. The right-hander will pitch out of the bullpen as Arizona competes for a playoff spot.

Martinez struck out three over a perfect sixth inning in Friday's 9-1 win over the Rangers.

Martinez needed just nine pitches to strike out Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter and Jake Burger. Five of those nine pitches resulted in swinging strikes. Martinez has yet to allow an earned run over eight appearances since being activated from the 60-day injured list. He's struck out 11, walked five and allowed two hits over 7.2 innings.

Marte went 2-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 9-1 win over Texas.

The Diamondbacks scored all of their runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and Marte doubled home runs in both frames. The second baseman has hit safely in all nine games since coming off the injured list, going 10-for-35 with three doubles, one home run, six RBI and six runs scored during his streak.

Vargas started at first base and went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-1 win over the Rangers.

Vargas ignited a dormant offense in the fifth inning when the Diamondbacks scored four times. His ground-rule double produced the first of those four runs, and then Arizona went on to score another five times the following inning. It was his fifth consecutive start, four of which came at first base, as he and Tim Tawa share the position. Vargas is 6-for-20 (.300) over his five-start run.

Cox went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Cox has gotten a decent run of playing time in September, and he's gone 10-for-35 (.286) over his 10 games this month. The outfielder's steal Friday was his 10th of the season. He's batting .286 with a .796 OPS, four home runs, 11 RBI, 21 runs scored, two doubles and two triples across 109 plate appearances.

Devers went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Devers has racked up seven homers over his last 10 games while batting .351 (13-for-37) in that span. The first baseman ranks eighth in the majors with 36 homers through Friday's action, giving him his highest total since his career-high 38 in 2021. He's batting .258 with an .862 OPS, 96 RBI, 87 runs scored, 36 doubles and one triple over 147 contests.

Molina (3-1) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings to take the loss Friday versus the Padres.

Molina got through the first inning without damage, but he struggled in the second and third before his early exit. He has allowed 12 runs (10 earned) over 17.1 innings in his four outings with the Giants. Between San Francisco and Atlanta this year, he has a 5.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB through 22.1 innings.

Taylor went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Taylor has gone 6-for-25 (.240) with two steals over eight games since he returned from an oblique injury. The outfielder is filling a short-side platoon role in left field, though he was given the start Friday against an unproven right-hander in Anthony Molina. Taylor is batting .310 with a .775 OPS, one home run, eight steals, 11 RBI, 17 runs scored, two doubles and two triples over 130 plate appearances this year.

Merrill went 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Merrill has at least three hits in three of his last four games, adding nine RBI and two steals in that span. The outfielder has had some ups and downs this season but looks to be in a groove after a rough patch earlier in September. He's batting .248 with a .732 OPS, 24 home runs, 26 steals, 79 RBI, 76 runs scored, 24 doubles and four triples over 144 games.