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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Ketel Marte, currently a free agent, is highlighted as a strong home run prop bet for Friday's MLB action with +500 odds. He enters the game with 23 homers this season and boasts a .311 batting average and .998 OPS against right-handed pitchers when hitting from the left side. Marte is positioned to capitalize against pitcher Zack Littell, who has conceded 27 home runs this year, with 19 of those coming in road starts.
Michael Conforto continues to be an offensive liability for the Los Angeles Dodgers, sporting a .186 batting average, which is the lowest among MLB hitters with 350 plate appearances. His defense in left field also ranks poorly, with -2 DRS and -5 OAA. The $17-million offseason signing is currently platooning in left field with Alex Call, as the team hopes for a late-season turnaround.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing stated that his "main focus is catching" despite his past experience at first base and outfield, including 13 innings at first this season. Manager Dave Roberts views Rushing's first base play as an emergency option, emphasizing his primary role to spell Will Smith behind the plate. The team also values his left-handed bat, though he is currently adjusting to limited at-bats, hitting .186 in 37 games since his May call-up. Rushing, who shares a similar baseball path with Will Smith, actively learns from the veteran catcher.
Boston Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony delivered a standout performance in his Yankee Stadium debut, hitting a decisive two-run, 370-foot homer in the ninth inning off Yerry De Los Santos to secure a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees. The 21-year-old drove in three runs in total, adding an RBI single in the sixth inning and reaching base three times. His fifth career home run was critical for the Red Sox, helping them snap a three-game losing streak and closing the gap to one game behind the Yankees for the AL's first wild-card spot.
Veteran right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel, 37, has reportedly signed a major-league contract and is slated to join a club on Friday during their road series. Kimbrel previously spent time in the Atlanta Braves' and Texas Rangers' minor league systems this season, where he posted a 3.69 ERA across 39 innings. This signing aims to bolster a team's bullpen, especially after a key closer's injury, with Kimbrel's specific high-leverage role yet to be determined.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley has undergone core injury surgery in Philadelphia, effectively ending his 2025 season. Riley had been battling a strained lower abdominal muscle, leading to two stints on the injured list since July. He is expected to be ready for spring training next year, concluding his season with a .260 batting average, 16 home runs, and 54 RBIs.
Juan Soto, despite the Mets losing 16 of their last 21 games, stated his belief that they are "100 percent" a playoff team, emphasizing the need to "play better as a team and try to win more games." While confident, Soto himself went 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in the two games following his 31st homer, currently batting .247 in the first year of his record contract. He underscored the urgency for the team to focus on winning "today" rather than dwelling on the past or future.
Mets left-hander Sean Manaea continued his struggles on Thursday, lasting only 4.2 innings and surrendering four earned runs against the Nationals, marking his fourth consecutive outing with four or more runs allowed. This performance contributes to his 7.91 ERA over 19.2 innings in August, as he consistently hits a wall after strong starts, unable to complete six innings in any of his last eight starts. Manaea admitted he has "no explanation" for his mid-game struggles, stating he needs to "execute" better.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea induced a ground ball that resulted in a 6-4-3 double play during Wednesday's game against the Brewers. This play fulfilled a bet made by Marquee Sports Network announcers Jon Sciambi and Jim DeShaies, providing free mozzarella sticks to patrons at The Corner Taproom in Cascade, Iowa, Rea's hometown. Approximately 50 to 60 fans enjoyed the complimentary treats, and the bar is preparing for increased demand during Rea's future starts.
Shane Bieber, acquired by the Blue Jays from Cleveland, is preparing to make his first start for Toronto on Friday against the Marlins, marking his highly anticipated return to the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024. Despite a challenging rehab journey that included a midseason trade, Bieber is focused on the game, relying on his precise command and deep arsenal of pitches rather than high velocity. His new manager and pitching coach praise his professional demeanor and elite understanding of his craft, anticipating he will provide a significant boost to the Blue Jays' rotation.
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz exited Thursday's 4-1 win against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning due to a left hamstring issue. The 27-year-old is scheduled to undergo an MRI to assess the severity of the injury, as stated by Brewers manager Pat Murphy. Ortiz, who had singled earlier in the game, came up lame after grounding out and was replaced by Andruw Monasterio.
Right-hander Dustin May is slated to make his fourth start for the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, continuing to build momentum since joining the team. In his initial three appearances with Boston, May has posted an impressive 2.87 ERA, demonstrating improvements in both his strikeout and walk rates. He has also adjusted his pitching strategy, now utilizing his four-seam fastball and cutter more frequently as key weapons.
Yankees star Aaron Judge is reportedly set to return to outfield play this weekend after suffering a flexor strain in his throwing elbow on July 25, which had limited him to a designated hitter role. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Judge's potential return to defense, despite a recent public disagreement with Judge over the extent of his elbow recovery. Judge has maintained a strong .330/.445/.684 slash line this season.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right oblique, a move made retroactive to Monday. This marks Rutschman's second oblique injury this season, occurring less than a month after he returned from a left oblique strain that had sidelined him for five weeks. Rookie Samuel Basallo will step into the starting lineup for the Orioles while Rutschman recovers.
Veteran right-hander Paul Blackburn has signed a major-league contract with the New York Yankees to provide bullpen depth, particularly in a long relief role. Blackburn was recently released by the New York Mets, where he posted a 0-3 record with a 6.85 ERA across seven appearances this season after battling various injuries. Despite his recent struggles, Blackburn brings a history of big-league experience, including an All-Star selection in 2022 with the Athletics.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw secured his eighth win in 10 decisions, contributing to the team's 9-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Kershaw pitched into the sixth inning, marking his earliest exit of the month after giving up runs in the fourth and sixth innings. Despite this, he has demonstrated strong form, allowing only five runs over 23 2/3 innings in his last four winning outings.
Jhostynxon Garcia, known as "The Password," has been officially called up by the Boston Red Sox, joining the team for their series against the New York Yankees. The Red Sox's No. 3 prospect, who is also ranked No. 77 overall by MLB Pipeline, entered Triple-A Worcester earlier this season where he maintained a .303/.367/.564 slash line with 17 home runs and 56 RBI. This contributes to his overall season line of .289/.363/.512 with 20 home runs and 73 RBI across both Double-A and Triple-A, with his promotion serving as a corresponding move after outfielder Wilyer Abreu was placed on the injured list.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right calf strain. Abreu, who currently leads the team with 22 home runs, initially believed he would not require an IL stint but the team decided to play it safe. In a corresponding roster move, the Red Sox called up highly-touted prospect Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A Worcester.
Yankees southpaw Ryan Yarbrough made his second rehab start on Wednesday, throwing 50 pitches over 3.1 innings with Triple-A where he allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Yarbrough will need at least one more rehab start to build up his volume, emphasizing its importance for the team's starting depth. This season, Yarbrough has posted a 3.90 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 16 games, including eight starts, for the Yankees.
Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz is progressing well in his rehab, with manager Aaron Boone stating he will make at least one more minor league appearance on Friday before potentially rejoining the team next week. Cruz pitched one inning, striking out three and allowing one hit, in his most recent Double-A outing on August 19th. Across three minor league starts, he has allowed four runs on five hits and one walk over 2.1 innings.
