MLB Player News

Saggese went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.

Saggese got the start at shortstop Sunday after JJ Wetherholt (wrist) landed on the injured list. A natural second baseman, Saggese has a path to playing time on the left side of the infield while Wetherholt and Blaze Jordan (ankle) are sidelined. It may end up becoming a platoon situation somewhere for the right-handed-hitting Saggese, while lefties Cesar Prieto and Nolan Gorman could see more opportunities against right-handed pitchers. For the year, Saggese is batting .210 with a .560 OPS, one home run, four RBI, 11 runs scored, two doubles, one triple and one stolen base over 87 plate appearances in the majors.

Valdez (8-10) took the loss against the Dodgers on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Valdez held his own versus a vaunted lineup, overcoming three extra-base hits (one home run) for a quality start. The southpaw is putting together a solid run on the mound as of late, either submitting a quality start or pitching at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in five of his last seven appearances. He'll carry a 4.36 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 116:57 K:BB over 150.2 innings into his next scheduled outing in Cleveland.

Liberatore (5-13) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out nine over 5.2 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Pirates.

The long ball was a problem again -- Esmerlyn Valdez hit a two-run homer in the second inning, and Jared Triolo added a solo shot in the fifth. Liberatore has allowed multiple homers in consecutive starts and has given up eight homers in as many starts since the All-Star break. In that span, he's also surrendered 30 runs (29 earned) over 41 innings. Liberatore is having a disappointing campaign with a 5.41 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 141:47 K:BB across 134.2 innings over 27 starts. He's projected for a road start in Colorado in his next outing, which is one fantasy managers should probably avoid.

Cruz went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Cruz went 5-for-13 during the three-game weekend series versus St. Louis. The outfielder was able to make an impact with speed in this contest, picking up his first steals since Aug. 19. For the season, he's 24-for-28 on the basepaths. Cruz is batting .263 with an .835 OPS, 17 home runs, 52 RBI, 52 runs scored, 11 doubles and one triple over 75 contests this year, and he's hit .256 (10-for-39) since returning from a fractured hand.

Glasnow (4-0) earned the win against the Tigers on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out six.

Detroit scratched its lone run across in the fourth inning, but it was smooth sailing for Glasnow otherwise. The hard-throwing right-hander has made just nine appearances for the Dodgers this season due to lower-back spasms, but he's already turned in five starts with at least six innings and two runs or fewer allowed. He'll carry a 2.79 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 62:14 K:BB over 51.2 innings into his next scheduled outing at home versus the Nationals.

Triolo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Triolo ended August on a six-game hitting streak, though his homer Sunday was his first extra-base hit since Aug. 13. The utility man had just one RBI during his power drought as well. Triolo is batting .247 with a .639 OPS, three homers, 26 RBI, 30 runs scored, 12 doubles and 10 stolen bases over 101 contests this season. He's typically more of a short-side platoon option, but the Pirates have faced five left-handers over the last eight games, giving Triolo a decent run of playing time that he's taken full advantage of to potentially earn a larger role.

Valdez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Valdez had gone just 4-for-29 (.138) with a 4:17 BB:K over his last eight games. He has homered twice over his last four contests, but his overall consistency at the plate is still a work in progress. The outfielder is batting .244 with an .890 OPS, 16 homers, 44 RBI, 37 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 65 games this season, though his 37.5 percent strikeout rate is a major limiting factor.

Scherzer (2-7) earned the win against the Mariners on Sunday, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in seven innings. He struck out 10.

Seattle didn't get into the hit column until the fourth inning in a vintage performance by the 42-year-old right-hander. It was easily Scherzer's best outing of the season -- he recorded season bests in innings, hits allowed and strikeouts -- and he even passed Gaylord Perry for ninth all-time in career punchouts. He'll look to build on Sunday's showing his next time out in Kansas City, where he'll take a 6.16 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 46:26 K:BB over 57 innings.

Montgomery pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Montgomery retired the side on 11 pitches (seven strikes) to earn his seventh save overall and fifth in August. He ends the month riding a 13.1-inning scoreless streak dating back to July 27, and he looks to have a decent amount of security in the closer role for now. Montgomery is at a 3.07 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 89:22 K:BB through 55.2 innings this season.

Ashcraft (14-5) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to earn the win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

While he wasn't quite as effective as in some of his other August starts, Ashcraft did enough to pick up his fourth win over six outings this month. He allowed a total of 10 runs (nine earned) across 38 innings in those games, and he's avoided giving up a home run in his last two starts. Ashcraft is at a 3.59 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 164:35 K:BB through 160.1 innings over 27 starts this season. He's lined up to make his next start at home versus the Angels.