Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Aaron Nola delivered a strong six-inning performance against the Nationals, striking out six and walking one, in his second start back from a three-month absence due to ankle and rib injuries. The Philadelphia Phillies pitcher reported good health following the outing, with manager Rob Thomson confirming he was feeling 'great' and 'pitched well'. His successful return provided a much-needed boost to the team's pitching staff.
Victor Robles was activated from the injured list by the Seattle Mariners and started in right field for Saturday's 2-1 defeat against the Athletics. He is currently appealing a 10-game suspension for throwing his bat during a minor-league rehab assignment, which allows him to play for the team. In his return, Robles went 1-for-4, notably making a critical diving catch in the seventh inning that highlighted his 'fearless mentality' despite his previous fractured shoulder injury, and also hit a single followed by a stolen base. However, his popped-up bunt attempt in the 10th inning contributed to the Mariners' loss, as acknowledged by manager Dan Wilson.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames honored legendary Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker with custom cleats during a celebration of life event. The special cleats featured Uecker’s iconic home run call, 'Mr. Baseball,' and a thank you to Milwaukee, reflecting Adames’ strong connection to the late announcer. This emotional return to Milwaukee also saw Adames hit two home runs in Friday's game after receiving a standing ovation from Brewers fans.
Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and will undergo decompression surgery, effectively ending his 2025 season. The procedure, recommended after a follow-up evaluation for a recent blood clot removal, is expected to sideline him for six to eight months, potentially impacting his readiness for Opening Day 2026. Prior to this, the 35-year-old right-hander was performing at a Cy Young level with a 10-5 record, a 2.71 ERA, and leading the National League with 195 strikeouts, marking a significant blow to the Phillies' World Series aspirations.
Nestor Cortes, now with the San Diego Padres, delivered a stellar performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers, tossing six brilliant innings of one-hit ball in a 5-1 victory and helping his new team take sole possession of first place in the NL West. The veteran left-hander took a perfect game into the sixth inning, striking out three and walking none, effectively overcoming his previous struggles against the Dodgers from last October's World Series. Acquired by the Padres from Milwaukee at the July 31 trade deadline, Cortes has quickly found his rhythm in San Diego's rotation, having allowed only three earned runs in his last 20 innings for the team.
Starling Marte was a key contributor in the Mets' recent offensive surge, collecting his fourth three-hit game of the season. He went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, two stolen bases, and an impressive outfield assist, showcasing his all-around capabilities. Manager Carlos Mendoza highlighted Marte's importance when healthy, noting his recent performance where he's hitting .313 with four home runs over his last 15 games. Marte expressed feeling healthy and competitive, crediting hitting coaches for his locked-in approach at the plate.
Clay Holmes pitched six innings for the New York Mets, marking his first time doing so in over two months, during the team's 9-2 victory against the Braves. Despite some struggles in the fourth inning where he walked back-to-back batters, Holmes settled in, retiring 10 straight batters and completing 6.1 innings. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits, walked two, and struck out four batters across 94 pitches, contributing significantly to the Mets' win.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to August 20, due to a sprained left ankle, marking his third IL stint this year. Merrill has been sidelined for six consecutive games since rolling his ankle on August 15 at Dodger Stadium and also incurred a bone bruise. Despite a slight dip in offensive production, batting .261 with nine homers and 51 RBI, he remains a steady contributor and an excellent defender in center field.
Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left foot contusion, marking only the second time in his 13-year career. The injury occurred when he fouled a pitch off his foot in a game on Thursday, and he is currently in a walking boot. Manager Bruce Bochy noted Semien's frustration, highlighting his desire to play every day. The three-time All-Star is hitting .230 with 15 homers, 62 RBIs, and a team-leading 62 runs this season.
Mets right-hander Frankie Montas has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a 'pretty significant' UCL injury in his right elbow, an injury that will cause him to miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Tommy John surgery is a possibility, and Montas had expressed soreness in his lower bicep area before getting an MRI. Montas, who signed a two-year, $34 million deal, is likely to miss most of the 2026 season if he undergoes the procedure.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles has been activated from the 60-day injured list and is eligible to play while appealing a 10-game suspension. Robles, who dislocated his left shoulder on April 6, is slated to be in the lineup in right field for Saturday's game. His suspension stems from an incident during a Triple-A rehab assignment where he threw his bat, an action for which he later issued an apology, citing frustration from his long rehab and the recent passing of his mother.
The Seattle Mariners have designated utilityman Dylan Moore for assignment to clear a roster spot following the activation of Victor Robles. Moore was batting .193 with nine home runs, 19 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 88 games this season. The 33-year-old was Seattle's longest-tenured player, having been with the organization since 2019.
Second baseman Casey Schmitt was a key offensive contributor for the San Francisco Giants, driving in four runs in their 7-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Schmitt notably hit a three-run homer and added an RBI double, leading the team's bats in the skid-snapping win. He also acknowledged the leadership of Matt Chapman as a factor in the team's improved performance.
Giants third baseman Matt Chapman was activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday after recovering from right hand inflammation, immediately returning to the lineup and batting sixth against the Milwaukee Brewers. His presence was credited with inspiring San Francisco's much-needed 7-1 victory, snapping a four-game losing streak, with manager Bob Melvin emphasizing his impact on taking pitches and drawing walks. This marks Chapman's second IL stint this season for the same hand issue, having previously missed 33 games while slashing .229/.337/.423 with 16 homers and 44 RBI across 96 games.
Yankees pitcher Will Warren had a difficult outing against the Red Sox, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and three walks over just four innings in New York's 12-1 loss. He gave up a two-RBI double to Trevor Story and a solo home run to Story in the fifth, bringing his ERA to 4.47 for the season. Warren's performance contributed to the team's continued struggles.
Seattle Mariners pitcher Tayler Saucedo recently received death threats targeting him and his girlfriend on social media, following a difficult outing where he surrendered five runs while recording only one out. Saucedo's experience highlights a concerning trend, as he is one of several MLB players, including Cade Povich, to speak out against such abuse from fans over performance.
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich publicly denounced fans for sending death threats to him and his family, including direct messages to his wife, following his recent outing where he allowed six runs in 4 ⅔ innings against the Houston Astros. Povich, 25, acknowledged fan frustration but emphasized that threatening family safety is an unacceptable line to cross, stating such behavior does not belong in the game. He has a 5.13 ERA in his second big-league season and joins other players like Tayler Saucedo who have recently faced similar threats.
The SportsLine Projection Model suggests betting on Garrett Crochet to record under 7.5 strikeouts for Saturday's game against the Yankees, despite his 7.25 projection. While he averages 8.1 strikeouts in road starts, his last three road outings have seen him record 5, 5, and 7 strikeouts in shorter appearances. Crochet's K per inning and K/BB ratio were better with the White Sox, but his average innings pitched has increased to 6.4 with Boston, with the model projecting him for 5.9 innings in this upcoming start.
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is facing significant struggles both at the plate and in the field, prompting manager Aaron Boone to consider giving him a day off soon. Volpe's batting average remains at .209, matching his rookie season, and he has recently slashed .127/.179/.254 over his last 18 games. Additionally, his defense has regressed with 16 errors this season and a recent mental error in Friday's game, though he still ranks eighth among qualified shortstops in defensive runs saved.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is showing progress in his throwing program, extending his throws to 150 feet with more intensity, as he continues to recover from a flexor strain in his right arm. Manager Aaron Boone hopes Judge is nearing a return to the outfield, though he has been limited to hitting since returning from the IL in early August. Despite his hitting-only role, Judge's offensive production has been moderate, posting a .216 average with three homers and an .806 OPS in his first 15 games back as a designated hitter.
