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MLB News

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

Friday, August 15, 2025

Joey Cantillo Discusses Pitch Mix Evolution and Attack Mindset in Guardians' Rotation

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Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo has leveraged his time in the bullpen to develop an attack-centric mindset, which he now applies in his solidified rotation role. He has refined his pitch mix, increasing the usage of his curveball and slider while working to boost his fastball velocity. Cantillo's success is also attributed to his unique "Vulcan" changeup, which he's throwing more aggressively in the strike zone, contributing to the Guardians' recent strong performance and playoff contention.

Bryan Abreu Steps Up as Houston Astros' Closer Amid Josh Hader's Injury

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With Josh Hader placed on the injured list, Bryan Abreu is expected to take over the ninth-inning duties for the Houston Astros. Abreu, considered one of baseball's top relievers, boasts an impressive 81 strikeouts and a 1.64 ERA. He recently earned a save on Wednesday and has the potential to be a top-10 reliever during Hader's absence.

Colt Keith Cultivates Passion for Cinema and Movie Criticism

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Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith has developed a significant passion for cinema, utilizing platforms like Letterboxd and IMDb to rank films and even create a top 100 list. He began exploring movies as a way to decompress from the pressures and stresses of his baseball career, finding it a useful distraction from on-field struggles. Keith has watched hundreds of films, developing his own ranking system based on plot, characters, acting, and pace, and enjoys discussing movies with teammates and his father, with favorites ranging from 'Pulp Fiction' to more recent action films.

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Ryan Helsley Struggles in New Mets Role After Second Straight Blown Save

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Mets reliever Ryan Helsley blew his second consecutive save on Thursday, allowing two runs in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves, leading to a 4-3 loss. Since joining the Mets from St. Louis, Helsley holds an 0-2 record with a 5.40 ERA, and manager Carlos Mendoza noted that the right-hander is struggling with his slider, often leaving it in the middle of the strike zone. Helsley himself acknowledged he's leaving "too good of pitches" over the plate and is still trying to adjust to his new eighth-inning setup role rather than his traditional closer position.

Robert Hassell III catches Mo'ne Davis's first pitch, reflecting on Little League World Series matchup

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Washington Nationals outfielder Robert Hassell III caught the ceremonial first pitch from Mo'ne Davis, marking a full-circle moment as they previously faced each other in the 2014 Little League World Series. Davis famously struck out Hassell on his birthday in that game, though he also managed one of the two hits she allowed. Hassell, who was drafted in the first round six years after the LLWS and acquired by the Nationals in the Juan Soto trade, recently made his MLB debut and is currently slashing .250/.264/.356 with two homers in 106 plate appearances.

Aaron Nola Returns Sunday as Phillies Implement Six-Man Rotation

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Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola is scheduled to be activated from the injured list and will make his first MLB start since May 14 on Sunday against the Washington Nationals. Manager Rob Thomson confirmed Nola's return and announced the Phillies will transition to a six-man rotation for at least one turn to provide additional rest for their starting pitchers, who lead MLB in innings pitched. Nola completed his rehab with a strong 2.19 ERA over 12 1/3 innings, recording 17 strikeouts, including 11 in his final Triple-A appearance, after recovering from an ankle sprain and a prior rib stress fracture.

Francisco Lindor's multi-hit effort, including 22nd homer, not enough in Mets' loss

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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor delivered a strong performance against the Braves, going 3-for-4 with his 22nd solo home run of the season, two singles, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Lindor broke a scoreless tie with his homer and later scored the tying run in the sixth inning. Despite his significant contributions and being named Game MVP, the Mets ultimately fell 4-3 after blowing a late lead.

Yankees Reliever Fernando Cruz Begins Rehab Assignment

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Yankees right-hander Fernando Cruz commenced his rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, marking his first game action since late June due to an oblique strain. His outing was brief, lasting 0.1 innings where he allowed two runs on two hits and one walk on 21 pitches. Despite the difficult return, the Yankees are anticipating Cruz's return to the bullpen, given his strong prior performance with a 3.00 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 33 innings.

Yankees Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough Completes First Rehab Start

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New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Yarbrough made his first rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday night, returning from an oblique strain suffered in mid-June. He delivered a solid performance, allowing one run on three hits and no walks across three innings, while striking out three batters over 37 pitches. Despite his effective outing, Yarbrough's role in the Yankees' rotation upon his return remains uncertain due to the current strength of the starting staff.

Padres Pitcher Michael King Lands on 15-Day IL with Knee Inflammation

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San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to left knee inflammation, with the move made retroactive to Monday. King, who holds a 4-2 record with a 2.81 ERA over 11 starts this season, was originally scheduled to start Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This marks his second stint on the IL, having just returned on August 9th after being sidelined since May 18th with shoulder inflammation.

Top Prospect Owen Caissie Makes MLB Debut for Cubs

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Top prospect Owen Caissie was called up from Triple-A Iowa and made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, serving as the designated hitter in a 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays. The 23-year-old outfielder went 0 for 4 with a ninth-inning strikeout but nearly had a hit in his first at-bat, and debuted in his native Canada in front of his family. Caissie had been batting .289 with 22 home runs and 52 RBIs in 93 Triple-A games this season, including a .393 average in August.

Rookie Tomoyuki Sugano Earns 10th Win for Orioles

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Rookie right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano earned his 10th victory of the season for the Baltimore Orioles, pitching 5 1/3 sharp innings against the Seattle Mariners before a two-hour, 18-minute rain delay. The 35-year-old from Japan was pulled after throwing 81 pitches, securing his first back-to-back wins. Sugano has been effective recently, holding a 3-0 record with a 2.31 ERA over his last four starts.

Nationals Designate First Baseman Nathaniel Lowe for Assignment

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The Washington Nationals have designated first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment. Lowe, 30, was hitting a career-worst .216 with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs in 119 games this season for Washington. He was acquired in a trade from the Texas Rangers in December and holds a career batting average of .263 with 105 homers across his time with the Tampa Bay Rays, Rangers, and Nationals.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza maintains confidence in Clay Holmes' starting role despite recent struggles

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New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will remain in the starting rotation, despite showing signs of fatigue as his innings count reaches 126.0, nearly double his previous career high. Over his last seven starts, Holmes has posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.65 WHIP, and has not completed six innings since June 7. However, manager Carlos Mendoza expressed continued confidence in Holmes, stating that the pitcher feels physically well and will continue to receive opportunities.

Mets' Frankie Montas to transition to bullpen as multi-inning option

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New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Frankie Montas will be available to pitch out of the bullpen, marking his first appearance in a relief role. Montas, a starter-turned-reliever, will be on standard four days' rest and is anticipated to serve as a long reliever capable of pitching multiple innings. Mendoza noted that while the team aims to give him ample time to prepare, the nature of bullpen work can be unpredictable.

Roman Anthony showcases power and potential, continues developing for Red Sox

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Young Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony demonstrated both his raw power and areas for growth in the recent series against Houston. He notably hit a two-run homer and became the third-youngest player in MLB history to hit a home run and draw four walks in a single game. While his average exit velocity is among the league's best, Anthony's high ground ball rate and swing-and-miss tendencies, including an 0-for-4 performance with three strikeouts in the finale, indicate ongoing development for the 21-year-old.

Reed Garrett Takes Loss as Mets Collapse in Fourth Inning

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New York Mets reliever Reed Garrett entered the game during a tumultuous fourth inning, where the Braves scored nine runs. He was greeted by Marcell Ozuna's RBI single shortly after entering the game, and ultimately took the loss (3-5) as the Mets' lead evaporated in an 11-6 defeat to the Atlanta Braves.

Michael Harris II's Grand Slam Powers Braves' Comeback Victory

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Michael Harris II hit a grand slam, his first since last August 14, capping a nine-run fourth inning for the Atlanta Braves. This 417-foot homer to center field was crucial in the Braves' 11-6 comeback win against the New York Mets, after initially falling behind 6-0. The nine-run outburst was Atlanta's largest inning in nearly five years, significantly contributing to their victory.

Hunter Greene's Dominant Return Elevates Reds' Playoff Hopes

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Hunter Greene's return to the Cincinnati Reds' rotation proved pivotal, as his vintage performance with a 99.3 mph fastball and effective slider helped the Reds to an 8-0 win over the Phillies. The 26-year-old ace, back from a two-month groin strain absence, lowered his season ERA to 2.47 (185 ERA+) with 79 strikeouts in 65.2 innings across 12 starts. His strong comeback positions him to lead Cincinnati's deep rotation during their pursuit of a playoff spot.

Paul Goldschmidt's Right Knee Sprain Prompts Potential Yankees IL Stint

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Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is dealing with a low-grade right knee sprain, which may lead to an injured list placement before the team's upcoming series against the Cardinals. Goldschmidt sustained the injury on Tuesday while chasing a foul pop, and although he finished the game, he was sore and subsequently sat out Wednesday's finale. The former NL MVP, who is hitting .276 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs this season, is currently being evaluated by the team.