Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker kept his torrid streak going in Friday's 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, finishing 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, and two runs scored. Tucker is hitting 14-for-32 (.438) with five homers and 11 RBIs over his last nine games. On the season, the slugger is batting .234 with a .728 OPS, 17 home runs, 23 doubles, 70 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases across 146 games.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts led the offense in Friday's 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs, and a walk. Betts launched a solo home run in the first inning and added a two-run shot off Philip Abner during a five-run eighth. Betts has recorded six hits in his last eight at-bats and is batting .254 with an .766 OPS, 22 home runs, and 65 RBIs across 115 games this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie prospect Josue De Paula shined in Friday's 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, going 2-for-3 with an RBI double, a walk, and two runs scored. Promoted directly from Double-A Tulsa, the 21-year-old outfielder hit a 107 mph RBI double in the sixth and drew his seventh walk in his first week in the majors. De Paula has posted an .789 OPS across his initial big league appearances.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Friday's 9-2 loss against the New York Yankees. Carroll's blast provided Arizona's only scoring of the game. Over his last seven contests, Carroll is 7-for-28 (.250) with three home runs, bringing his season line to .240 with an .804 OPS, 22 homers, 69 RBI, and 21 stolen bases over 148 games.
New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a triple, two walks, two RBI, and two runs scored in Friday's 9-2 victory over Arizona. Rice extended his hitting streak to seven games, during which he has launched three home runs. On the season, Rice is batting .264 with an .897 OPS, 39 home runs, 94 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 22 doubles over 146 games.
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole earned his ninth win of the season Friday, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six over six innings in a 9-2 victory over the Diamondbacks. Cole surrendered a two-run home run to Corbin Carroll but issued no walks. Over 21 starts (121.1 innings), Cole is 9-9 with a 3.63 ERA and 123 strikeouts, lined up for one more start before the postseason.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-2 victory over the Miami Marlins, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Over that stretch, Merrill is 19-for-40 (.475) with four home runs and 13 RBI. On the season, the outfielder is batting .256 with a .752 OPS, 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases across 151 games.
George Lombard contributed to the New York Yankees' 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks by hitting his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot down the line in the sixth inning. Lombard also added a two-run ground ball single in a five-run first inning. The rookie's strong performance helped secure the series-opening win as the Yankees navigate the final stretch of the regular season.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is progressing well in his rehab while managing left knee, biceps, and neck issues. He recently took batting practice off coach pitch and hit off a tee, marking positive steps after landing on the injured list on Sept. 8. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts confirm expectations that Ohtani will return before the regular season ends, pending 10 to 12 at-bats against live pitching.
Mets slugger Mark Vientos expressed his strong desire to remain with New York as he faces an uncertain offseason with upcoming arbitration and potential non-tender decisions. Following injuries and a down 2026 season where he slashed .218 with 13 home runs in 82 games, Vientos is focused on finishing the year strong. Interim manager Andy Green has praised his professional approach as he works to earn consistent playing time down the stretch.
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto powered his team to a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, going 3-for-5 with a double and a towering 428-foot three-run home run off Orion Kerkering in the sixth inning. The blast was Soto's 26th home run of the year and his fourth in September. The stellar performance added a +18.0% win probability added for the Mets, though he needs a late power surge to reach 30 HRs following two IL stints.
The New York Mets recalled Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse for his fourth stint of the year, taking the roster spot of injured first baseman Jared Young. Mauricio, who has an .180 batting average in 50 major league plate appearances, posted a .795 OPS with 18 home runs and 12 steals across 71 games at Triple-A. Interim manager Andy Green plans to give him at-bats during the final eight games of the season as he looks to establish himself.
Infielder BJ Murray was optioned to Triple-A Iowa by the Chicago Cubs to clear active roster space for Dansby Swanson's return from the injured list. Murray made an immediate impact upon returning to Iowa on Friday, going 1-for-3 with a run in Game 1 before launching a sixth-inning grand slam in Game 2 of a doubleheader sweep against Omaha. The grand slam marked Murray's 17th home run of the minor league season.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning on Friday night, ambushing a first-pitch slurve for an opposite-field two-run home run off Houston Astros starter Peter Lambert. The big blast ignited a six-run offensive effort for Atlanta in a 6-2 victory over Houston, helping the Braves officially clinch a spot in the National League postseason field.
Houston Astros right-hander Peter Lambert took the mound Friday night against the Atlanta Braves, allowing two earned runs on six hits over 5.1 innings while walking one and striking out six in a 6-2 loss. Lambert was chased in the sixth inning after loading the bases, yielding a crucial two-run homer to Michael Harris in the fourth. The team's leader in wins, starts, and strikeouts has not earned a victory since July 11.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle delivered another stellar outing on Friday, allowing just one run while retiring the final nine batters he faced in a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros. With the win, Mahle improved to 4-1 with a spectacular 1.28 ERA across eight starts since joining Atlanta, while officially clinching a postseason berth for the Braves. Atlanta's magic number to capture the NL East title now sits at three.
Cleveland Guardians reliever Cade Smith earned his 38th save of the year in a 5-3 win over the Athletics, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning. Smith needed only 14 pitches to breeze through the outing, locking down his third save in his last four appearances. The right-hander reached 100 strikeouts on the season, marking his third consecutive year hitting the century mark, alongside a 2.06 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 70 innings.
New York Mets rookie Zac Thornton earned his eighth quality start in a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings. The 24-year-old left-hander improved his season ERA to 3.40 over 79.1 innings while making impressive defensive plays. Interim manager Andy Green praised his aggressive approach and challenged him to add weight this offseason.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell avoided serious injury after exiting his Wednesday start against Cincinnati after just one inning due to left groin tightness. Snell felt better Friday, reaching an "8 out of 10" and throwing flat-ground catch. Manager Dave Roberts is very hopeful Snell can make one final regular-season start before the postseason, as Snell did not require medical imaging.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez earned his eighth win of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing one run on three hits and five walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings. Despite a career-high five free passes, the southpaw limited the damage and has given up only two earned runs over his last 19.2 innings. Suarez carries a 3.27 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 143.1 innings and is slated to face the Guardians next week.
