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MLB News

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

Friday, August 8, 2025

Kai-Wei Teng Earns First MLB Win for Giants with Five Shutout Innings

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Kai-Wei Teng secured his first career MLB win for the San Francisco Giants, pitching five shutout innings in a 5-0 victory over the Washington Nationals. After entering in relief, the 26-year-old right-hander managed to escape a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the fourth inning and struck out six batters. Teng's achievement made him the ninth Taiwanese-born pitcher in MLB history to earn a win and was especially significant as it occurred on Taiwanese Father's Day, which he dedicated to his dad.

Giancarlo Stanton Nearing Outfield Return for Yankees

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New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is expected to make his first outfield appearance in nearly two years as early as Saturday against the Houston Astros, according to manager Aaron Boone. Stanton, who has been limited to designated hitter duties due to various injuries, participated in fielding drills on Friday and is considered physically ready for a limited role despite his extensive injury history. His return to the outfield would provide the Yankees with valuable defensive versatility, especially while teammate Aaron Judge remains restricted to designated hitter. Stanton is currently hitting .268 with 10 homers and 28 RBI in 37 games this season.

Orioles Place Tyler O'Neill on Injured List with Wrist Inflammation

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Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O'Neill has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to right wrist inflammation. His placement on the injured list is retroactive to Wednesday.

Orioles Place Colton Cowser on Concussion Injured List

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Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser has been placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. The move is retroactive to Thursday, indicating the injury occurred prior to Friday's roster moves.

Orioles Activate Ryan Mountcastle from Injured List

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Ryan Mountcastle has been activated from the injured list by the Baltimore Orioles ahead of Friday night's game against the Athletics. The infielder had been sidelined since May 30 due to a hamstring injury, where he was hitting .246 with two home runs in 52 games. During his nine rehab games at Triple-A Norfolk, Mountcastle posted strong numbers, going 12-for-31 with three homers and four doubles, with Statcast previously suggesting he was unlucky earlier in the season, hinting at potential for improvement.

Rafael Devers Blasts Early Homer in Giants' Victory

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Rafael Devers of the San Francisco Giants hammered a 427-foot home run that gave his team an early lead in their 5-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday. Devers' home run was part of a multi-homer effort by the Giants, a scenario in which they now hold a 23-6 record this season.

Casey Schmitt Homers in Giants' Shutout Win

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Casey Schmitt hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, contributing to the San Francisco Giants' 5-0 shutout victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. His blast helped the Giants improve their record to 23-6 this season in games where they hit multiple home runs.

Cleveland Guardians Emmanuel Clase on paid leave amid investigation

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Emmanuel Clase, a Cleveland Guardians pitcher, has been placed on paid leave in connection with an MLB sports betting investigation. The exact nature of his involvement is currently unknown, but his leave is extended until August 31. His locker has reportedly been cleared by the team amidst the ongoing inquiry.

Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani in NL MVP conversation

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Shohei Ohtani remains the front-runner for NL MVP, leading the NL with a .987 OPS and 39 homers. The Dodgers' dual-threat player has also returned to the mound in dominant fashion, posting a 2.37 ERA in eight starts as he builds up from elbow surgery. Despite the Dodgers not always playing their best baseball, Ohtani's individual success positions him strongly for the award.

Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber in NL MVP conversation

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Kyle Schwarber has emerged as a strong candidate in the NL MVP conversation, alongside Shohei Ohtani. The Phillies slugger is having his best career season, ranking second in the NL with a .965 OPS and leading the league with 40 home runs. Schwarber has consistently been productive for Philadelphia, even carrying the offense when Bryce Harper was injured, positioning the Phillies atop the NL East.

Milwaukee Brewers Shelby Miller activated from injured list

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The Milwaukee Brewers have activated veteran right-hander Shelby Miller from the injured list, making him available for their Friday night game against the New York Mets. Miller, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline, was recovering from a right forearm strain and last pitched in the majors on July 5. The 34-year-old holds a 3-3 record with a 1.98 ERA and 10 saves in 37 appearances this season and is now ready to assist Milwaukee in its playoff pursuit.

Texas Rangers Phil Maton fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup

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Phil Maton is considered a new closer option for the Texas Rangers and a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup. His velocity has improved this year, with his fastball back up to 90.6 mph and his curveball throwing harder than in 2021. Maton's current 30.4% strikeout rate is a significant improvement, making him a strong contender for save chances despite potential competition from Robert Garcia and Chris Martin.

José Alvarado impresses in rehab outing, set for potential August 19th return to Phillies

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Philadelphia Phillies reliever José Alvarado pitched an impressive inning for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Thursday, showing velocity up to 99 mph with a fantastic cutter. Manager Rob Thomson was reportedly 'blown away' by Alvarado's performance, which included two strikeouts and just one hit allowed on 12 pitches. Alvarado is eligible to return to the major leagues as early as August 19th, providing a significant boost to the Phillies' bullpen.

Roman Anthony Signs $130 Million Extension with Boston Red Sox

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Rookie outfielder Roman Anthony has secured an eight-year, $130 million extension with the Boston Red Sox, a deal that includes potential performance incentives. The 21-year-old is now slated to remain with the Red Sox until at least 2034, when he turns 30, ensuring his presence as a foundational player for the team's future. This significant contract positions Anthony to earn more than $100 million in MLB contracts by his 30th birthday.

Andrew Vaughn's Remarkable Offensive Turnaround with Brewers

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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn has achieved a remarkable offensive turnaround, emerging as a key contributor with an NL-leading 1.146 OPS and seven home runs in 90 plate appearances since joining the team on July 7. The former No. 3 overall pick, who struggled with the Chicago White Sox and had a -1.4 WAR, has significantly improved his plate discipline by chasing fewer pitches. This change of scenery has allowed Vaughn to tap into his potential, solidifying his role as a crucial player for the Brewers' playoff aspirations after being acquired from the White Sox.

Alex Call Becomes a 'Straight Grinder' for Dodgers, Showcasing Elite Plate Discipline

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New Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call has quickly established himself as one of MLB's toughest at-bats since being acquired at the trade deadline, a reputation earned through years of overhauling his plate approach. After a challenging 2019 season, Call dedicated himself to improving his hitting, notably cutting his strikeout rate in half by 2021 and utilizing virtual reality training goggles. General Manager Brandon Gomes praised Call as a "straight grinder" who is difficult to game plan for, and Clayton Kershaw highlighted his defensive skills and effectiveness against lefties. Call has not struck out in his first eight at-bats with the Dodgers and is one of only four players this season with 200+ plate appearances who maintains strikeout, chase, and whiff rates all under 20%.

Red Sox Catcher Connor Wong Struggling with Career Lows

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Red Sox catcher Connor Wong is currently experiencing a downturn in his performance, posting career lows across the board with a .160 batting average and a .179 slugging percentage. In 106 at-bats, the 29-year-old has managed only two extra-base hits and two RBIs. Despite these offensive struggles, Wong has maintained his role as Brayan Bello's primary catcher.

Nathan Eovaldi Continues Stellar Season with Two-Start Week

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Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is lined up for a two-start week against the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays, solidifying his status as a top fantasy contributor. This season, Eovaldi has been outstanding, recording a scintillating 1.38 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 111/20 K/BB ratio across 111 innings, along with 10 victories. His consistent high-level production makes him an automatic start in all leagues.

Logan Webb Solidifies Giants Rotation with Anticipated Two-Start Slate

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San Francisco Giants hurler Logan Webb is expected to make two starts this upcoming week, both at home against the Padres and Rays. The 28-year-old has been a reliable performer, holding a 10-8 record with a 3.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 165 strikeouts over 147 1/3 innings through 24 starts. He remains an automatic start in all fantasy formats, continuing to provide a strong one-two punch for the Giants' rotation.

Garrett Crochet Set for Dominant Two-Start Week for Red Sox

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Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet is poised for a strong two-start week, facing the Astros and Marlins. He boasts a dominant 13-4 record with a minuscule 2.24 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season. Crochet also leads the league with 183 strikeouts over 148 1/3 innings, establishing himself as one of the top overall options for fantasy managers.