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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Monday, September 8, 2025

Max Muncy Activated from IL, Returns to Dodgers Lineup After Oblique Injury

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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy was activated from the injured list on Monday and immediately returned to the lineup, starting at third base and batting cleanup against the Rockies. Muncy missed the past 23 games due to an oblique injury suffered on August 13, marking his second IL stint this season after a month-long absence in July for a bone bruise in his left knee. Before his oblique injury, Muncy was hitting .258 with an .880 OPS, 17 homers, and 64 RBI. Manager Dave Roberts called his return a 'big boost,' adding 'length to our lineup' and providing 'slug' and 'on-base' ability. Muncy went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk and made the final out of the 3-1 win with a line-drive snag.

Will Smith Expected to Return to Dodgers Lineup Tuesday After Hand Injury Scare

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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is anticipated to return to the lineup on Tuesday, with a possibility of pinch-hitting in Monday's game. Smith was feared to be headed to the injured list due to a bone bruise on his right hand, sustained when he took a foul ball off the hand last Wednesday. The 30-year-old has been a crucial offensive and defensive asset for the Dodgers this season, batting .296/.405/.497 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs, and 61 RBI in 432 plate appearances. He also provides significant value behind the plate, effectively managing the pitching staff and blocking balls, with only two wild pitches allowed this season.

Cal Raleigh Nears Mickey Mantle's Switch-Hitter Home Run Record with 53rd Blast

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Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh continues his historic power surge, connecting for his 53rd home run of the season during an 18-2 victory over the Braves on Sunday. This impressive feat places him just one home run shy of tying Mickey Mantle's 1961 record for the most home runs ever hit by a switch-hitter in a single season. Raleigh's consistent slugging has been a highlight for the Mariners as they navigate the playoff picture.

Kodai Senga Optioned to Triple-A to Refine Mechanics, First Start Expected This Weekend

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New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, with his first minor league start anticipated for Friday or Saturday. Manager Carlos Mendoza stated the move is to 'give him time to throw a couple of bullpens before we put him in the game' to work on his mechanics. Senga, 32, holds a 7-6 record with a 3.02 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 22 starts this season (113.1 IP). However, he has struggled since July, posting an 0-3 record with a 5.90 ERA and 5.76 FIP over his last nine starts (39.2 IP).

Tylor Megill Shut Down from Throwing Due to Recurring Elbow Tightness, Return Unlikely

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New York Mets right-hander Tylor Megill has been shut down from throwing after experiencing tightness in his secondary pitches during his latest rehab appearance on Sunday. Megill is now back in New York for imaging, and manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that a return to the Mets this season is 'getting more and more unlikely' given the recurring nature of the injury, which is the same right elbow sprain that has kept him on the shelf since June 15. Megill had been rehabbing between Double-A and Triple-A for the past month, with the Mets hoping for a late-season return.

Heliot Ramos Blasts Two-Run Homer, Fuels Giants' Five-Run Sixth Inning Rally

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Heliot Ramos played a key role in the San Francisco Giants' offensive surge during their 11-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. In the pivotal sixth inning, he blasted a two-run home run, immediately following Christian Koss's two-run double. This powerful shot further extended the Giants' lead during a five-run outburst that had the ballpark "rocking," contributing significantly to the team's dominant performance. His dinger was one of five hit by the Giants in the game, marking their first five-homer game at home since 2021.

Christian Koss's Two-Run Double Sparks Giants' Offensive Outburst in Key Win

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Christian Koss sparked a five-run outburst for the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting a crucial two-run double that helped secure an 11-5 victory on Monday. His timely hit contributed significantly to the offensive explosion and served as redemption for an earlier error he committed in the game. This performance was key in the Giants' win, as they cruised from there after his contribution, making up for an early deficit and propelling the team forward.

Logan Webb Reaches Career-High 200 Strikeouts, Leads NL Pitchers in Milestone Win

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San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb achieved a significant career milestone on Monday, reaching 200 strikeouts for the first time in his career during an 11-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Webb allowed just one earned run (three unearned) over six innings, recording six of his seven strikeouts against Adrian Del Castillo in the fifth inning to hit the mark. This accomplishment, a personal goal for Webb, makes him the first National League pitcher and only the third in MLB to reach 200 strikeouts this season. He also leads the majors in innings pitched with 184 2/3, solidifying his strong Cy Young candidacy.

Aaron Nola Shines with Six Scoreless Innings in Phillies' Nail-Biting Victory Over Mets

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Aaron Nola delivered his biggest start of 2025 for the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, tossing six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in a crucial 1-0 victory over the New York Mets. This marked his first scoreless outing since May 3, following an ankle sprain that sidelined him until mid-August. Nola credited his ability to command his fastball and changeup, effectively mixing all four of his primary pitches across 94 pitches. Notably, he fanned Juan Soto with a cutter, a pitch he largely scrapped for the night, earning a roaring ovation from over 43,000 fans.

Nick Castellanos Delivers Decisive RBI Single, Continues Productive Rotational Role for Phillies

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Nick Castellanos delivered the decisive RBI single in the second inning, driving in the only run in the Philadelphia Phillies' 1-0 victory over the New York Mets on Monday. He wasted no time, slapping a first-pitch single past Pete Alonso to give the Phillies the lead. Castellanos has demonstrated a knack for first-pitch hitting, boasting an impressive .424 average (39-for-92) when putting the first pitch in play. Despite embracing a rotational outfield role under manager Rob Thomson, the 33-year-old continues to produce whenever called upon, proving his value to the team.

Mets Catcher Luis Torrens Placed on IL with Forearm Contusion, Expected to Return Soon

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New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right forearm contusion, with the move made retroactive to September 7. Torrens sustained the injury while blocking a ball on Saturday and expressed confidence that he would be able to return from the IL when first eligible. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the team anticipates a minimum 10-day absence. This unfortunate timing follows a strong series for Torrens against the Detroit Tigers, where he went 5-for-10 with a home run, a double, and five RBIs. Overall this season, he is hitting .225/.287/.348 with five homers and 13 doubles in 47 games.

Harrison Bader Provides Spark for Phillies, Continues Hot Streak with Multi-Hit Game

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Harrison Bader provided a significant spark for the Philadelphia Phillies, recording three hits in their 1-0 victory over the New York Mets on Monday. After arriving from Minnesota at the trade deadline, Bader initially struggled with inconsistent playing time, batting just .171 over his first 18 days. However, since August 20, he has been on a remarkable hot streak, hitting .400 with nine extra-base hits and a 1.114 OPS in 55 at-bats, marking the best average in the National League over that span. Bader attributes his success to focusing on playing baseball and helping the team win, which has allowed him to fit in naturally.

Bryce Harper Shifts to Leadoff Spot for Phillies, Maintains Aggressive Approach

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Bryce Harper moved into the leadoff spot for the Philadelphia Phillies' game against the New York Mets on Monday, marking his first time batting first since October 4, 2022. Harper has made 37 career starts in the leadoff position, where he boasts a strong .932 OPS with 11 home runs. Despite the change, Harper stated he would not alter his approach, emphasizing his intent to "be myself" and swing at pitches over the plate. This lineup adjustment comes as the Phillies face the Mets in a key series.

Aroldis Chapman Dominates with Four-Strikeout Save, Extends Hitless Streak for Red Sox

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Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, at 37 years old, continues to dominate, earning his 29th save with a rare four-strikeout ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Chapman, known for his power fastball that once topped 105.8 mph, has added craftiness by effectively locating sliders and splitters. He became the second pitcher this season to record four strikeouts in an inning, joining Steven Matz. Chapman has been unhittable since mid-July, extending his streak to 17 consecutive appearances (14 2/3 innings) without allowing a hit, the third-longest such streak since 1901. He has allowed only one earned run in his last 37 games, dropping his season ERA to 0.98, and earned his eighth All-Star appearance, securing a one-year, $13.3 million contract for 2026.

Juan Soto Highlighted for Home Run Prop Bets Amidst Mets' Loss to Phillies

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Juan Soto was highlighted as one of the best bets for home run player props on Monday, September 8. In the New York Mets' 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, Soto was struck out by Aaron Nola in the sixth inning and later grounded out to Bryson Stott in the eighth, which preserved the Phillies' lead. Despite this game's outcome, Soto entered the night with an impressive 38 home runs, 93 RBIs, and a .924 OPS in his first season with the Mets, showcasing his significant offensive power and consistent threat at the plate.

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Tylor Megill Struggles in Final Rehab Start, Mets Face Roster Decision

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Mets right-hander Tylor Megill endured a difficult potential final Triple-A rehab start on Sunday afternoon, being roughed up for five runs on four hits, two walks, and two hit-by-pitches over two-plus innings for the Syracuse Mets. He struck out three but allowed a solo homer and couldn't complete the third inning, leading to his removal with the bases loaded. This outing marked his third consecutive start allowing three or more runs, pushing his rehab ERA to 6.60 over 20.0 innings, a stark contrast to his initial three scoreless appearances. President of baseball operations David Stearns is set to make a decision on Megill's activation and future role, with a starting rotation spot appearing unlikely given the emergence of top prospects.

Yu Darvish Poised for Strong Week with Favorable Home Matchups

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San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish is highlighted as a viable two-start option for fantasy baseball this week, despite recent inconsistencies. While he has allowed one or fewer runs in three of his last seven outings, he failed to pitch into the fourth inning in the other four. Darvish is expected to benefit significantly from pitching both starts at home against the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. His home ERA of 3.55 is considerably better than his 7.86 road ERA, and the Rockies are noted as the most favorable matchup in baseball, positioning him for a potential rebound.

Shohei Ohtani's Two-Homer Outburst Powers Dodgers to End Five-Game Skid

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Shohei Ohtani delivered a monumental performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, hitting two solo home runs against the Baltimore Orioles to spark a crucial 5-2 victory. His first blast, a leadoff shot on the second pitch of the game, was his 12th leadoff homer of the season, tying Mookie Betts' franchise record. Ohtani followed up with his 48th home run of the year in the third inning and walked three times, reaching base in all five plate appearances. This dominant display was instrumental in snapping the Dodgers' uncharacteristic five-game losing streak and provided a much-needed morale boost, as manager Dave Roberts noted, "You could see the life in the dugout."

Clayton Kershaw Delivers Solid Start, Earns Sixth Straight Win for Dodgers

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Los Angeles Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw provided a crucial "stopper" performance on the mound Sunday, striking out eight batters over 5 2/3 innings in a 5-2 victory against the Baltimore Orioles. Kershaw allowed just two hits through his first five frames, securing his sixth consecutive win. Although he was removed in the sixth inning after giving up a single and an RBI double, his solid effort was key in helping the Dodgers snap their five-game losing streak. Kershaw emphasized the team's resilient mindset, stating, "Everybody came in here with a good mindset. Everybody came in here ready to win a game today."

Ben Rice's Three-Run Homer Sets Tone, Propels Yankees to Series Victory

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New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice made an immediate impact in Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, launching a crucial three-run home run off Max Scherzer in the early innings. This powerful blast to right field gave the Yankees a quick 3-0 lead, setting the tone for their eventual 4-3 series-clinching victory. Rice's pivotal hit was highlighted as the "Game MVP" for its early influence on the game's momentum, demonstrating his ability to deliver in key situations and contribute significantly to the team's success.