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

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Reds Outfielder TJ Friedl Ties MLB Record After Being Hit By Pitch Three Times Against Mets

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Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl tied a major league record after being hit by a pitch three times in a single game against the New York Mets on Friday night. Friedl was initially struck on his left forearm by a 91 mph fastball from Sean Manaea, then on his left foot by an 85 mph slider from Alex Carrillo, and finally on his left hand by a 91 mph sinker from Brandon Waddell, remarking that the last one "stung!" This notable event marks the 39th time in the modern era (since 1901) a hitter has been hit three times in one game, and Friedl is now the 34th different player to do so. Despite the unusual at-bats, Friedl finished 0 for 2 but successfully scored two runs in the Reds' 8-4 victory, and he expects to be in the lineup for Saturday's game.

Francisco Alvarez Excels in Triple-A, Approaching Potential Mets Return

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Catcher Francisco Alvarez continues to impress during his weeks-long stint with Triple-A Syracuse, showcasing significant improvements offensively and defensively. He recently blasted his ninth Triple-A home run, a 427-foot shot with a 111.8 mph exit velocity, contributing to his .250/.329/.691 slash line and 20 RBI over 19 games since his late-June demotion. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted Alvarez is fulfilling all requirements, particularly highlighting his improved receiving, blocking, and framing behind the plate. Mendoza confirmed that Alvarez remains a strong candidate for a promotion, stating a recall "could happen at any moment" given his current performance.

Max Muncy's Recovery from Knee Injury Progressing Faster Than Expected for Dodgers

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Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy is recovering significantly faster than anticipated from a left knee bone bruise sustained on July 2 after a collision with Michael A. Taylor. Doctors informed him he was incredibly lucky to avoid surgery, as the timing of the impact was millisecond-perfect. Just two weeks post-injury, on July 19, Muncy was performing agility drills, running in the outfield, playing catch, and taking swings without discomfort, an optimistic sign as he was initially projected to miss approximately six weeks. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Muncy's return is expected 'a lot sooner than anticipated.' Muncy, who was a key offensive contributor for the Dodgers in May and June, is confident the injury, being on the outside of his knee, will not impact his swing upon his return, which is crucial as the Dodgers' offense has struggled greatly in his absence.

Christian Yelich Extends On-Base Streak and Projected for RBI on Saturday

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Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich continued his strong performance by extending his on-base streak to 25 games with a single against the Dodgers on Friday. Yelich has been a key contributor for the Brewers this season, leading the team with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs. SportsLine's model projects him to finish with 0.7 RBIs on Saturday, recommending an 'over 0.5 RBIs' prop bet at +195 odds, as the Brewers ride an eight-game winning streak.

Aaron Judge Targeted for 'Over 1.5 Total Bases' Prop Bet on Saturday

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New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is having an exceptional season, currently batting .354 with 35 home runs and 81 RBIs. He has maintained strong offensive production, driving in 14 runs in his last 13 games. For Saturday's matchup against Braves starting pitcher Joey Wentz, who is making his first start since 2023, SportsLine's model projects Judge to record 3.06 total bases, making him a favored pick for an 'over 1.5 total bases' prop bet.

Cardinals' Steven Matz Drawing Trade Interest as Deadline Approaches

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St. Louis Cardinals lefty Steven Matz, 34, is reportedly generating interest from other teams as the trade deadline nears. Despite the Cardinals being in the postseason race, Matz has had a terrific season serving as a multi-inning reliever, effectively limiting walks and hard contact. He has demonstrated consistent performance by recording at least four outs in 21 of his 28 appearances and at least five outs 16 times. Matz is in the final year of his four-year, $44 million contract, with approximately $4 million still owed after the trade deadline.

Sean Manaea's Workload Restricted in Recent Start

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Sean Manaea threw just 69 pitches in his second start of the season against the Reds. His workload is being closely monitored by the Mets. This limited outing occurred as the Mets returned from the All-Star break.

Clay Holmes to Start for Mets with Eight Wins; Strikeout Projection Set at 4.7 K's

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Clay Holmes is scheduled to start for the New York Mets, entering the game with a team-high eight wins, an 8-4 record, and a 3.31 ERA, alongside 83 strikeouts. The 32-year-old right-hander's strikeout line is set at 5.5, but he has gone under this mark in 13 of his last 15 outings, including a two-strikeout performance in his previous five-inning start. The SportsLine model projects Holmes to record 4.7 strikeouts in Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Nick Martinez to Start for Reds Against Mets, Carrying a 7-9 Record

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Nick Martinez is slated to start for the Cincinnati Reds, bringing a 7-9 record and a 4.78 ERA into the game against the New York Mets. The Reds, who opened the series with an 8-4 win and are on a three-game winning streak, will see Martinez on the mound as the team looks to continue its momentum. The game is set for 4:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field.

Ronald Acuña Jr.'s Incredible Throw Stuns Yankees in Braves' Victory

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Braves All-Star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. made a spectacular and accurate throw to end the third inning, catching the New York Yankees off-guard in Atlanta's 7-3 victory on Friday night. Acuña Jr. threw out Jorbit Vivas at third base after fielding a deep fly with his back to the infield, spinning and firing a precise throw. Braves manager Brian Snitker praised Acuña Jr.'s arm as 'stupid' accurate and called him 'a weapon in right field,' while Acuña Jr. emphasized his focus on anticipating plays. Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that Vivas was 'deked' by the casual body language of Nacho Alvarez on the play.

Dodgers Closer Tanner Scott Draws Comparisons to Pedro Baéz in Fan Letters

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Dodgers closer Tanner Scott has become a topic of discussion among Los Angeles Times Sports readers, with one fan expressing concern about his performance. A reader's letter drew a comparison between Scott and former pitcher Pedro Baéz, recalling past struggles and expressing hope that Scott will be able to 'find his mojo' on the mound.

Friday, July 18, 2025

Reds' TJ Friedl Ties MLB Record After Being Hit By Three Pitches

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Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl tied a major league record Friday night by being hit by three pitches in an 8-4 win over the New York Mets. Friedl was plunked by three different Mets pitchers across the third, fifth, and eighth innings, taking a 91 mph fastball to his left forearm, an 85 mph slider to his left foot, and a 91 mph sinker to his left hand. Despite going 0-for-2, he scored twice and expects to be in the lineup for Saturday's game.

Tyler Glasnow Pitches Six Innings, Shows Growth in Dodgers' Loss to Brewers

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Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow continued to show positive signs of progress, delivering a six-inning, one-earned-run performance against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Despite the Dodgers being shut out 2-0, Glasnow allowed only four hits and increased his fastball velocity, consistently hitting 98-99 mph, while effectively utilizing his four-seamer, sinker, and curveball. This outing marked his first time completing six innings since April 13th and his first allowing only one earned run since last June, indicating a promising return from injury and a simplified pitching approach that focuses more on execution rather than mechanics. Glasnow retired the first five batters he faced and navigated through a challenging fifth inning, escaping with minimal damage, as he aims to be a dependable presence for the Dodgers' rotation in the second half of the season.

Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte Placed on Restricted List Following Home Burglary

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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was placed on the restricted list Friday after his Phoenix-area home was burglarized while he was away at the All-Star Game. Manager Torey Lovullo intimated that Marte asked for time off to "get grounded" and return as a force, respecting his need for space due to the unfortunate incident. Marte, a three-time All-Star who finished third in NL MVP voting last season, is hitting .290/.394/.567 with 19 homers and 40 RBI in 68 games for Arizona this season.

Marlins' Kyle Stowers Makes MLB History with Two-Homer Walk-Off Performance

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Marlins slugger Kyle Stowers made MLB history Friday night, becoming the first player to hit five home runs in a two-game span, with one of those being a walk-off homer. Stowers was the hero for the Marlins, hitting a two-run, walk-off home run against the Royals, his second homer of the night, finishing 3-for-5 with two homers and five RBI. This performance continues a remarkable stretch for Stowers, who is now 8-for-10 with five home runs and 11 RBI over his last two games. The Marlins' lone All-Star, acquired from the Orioles, is now hitting .298/.371/.563 with 21 homers and 59 RBI in 2025 and also participated in the All-Star Game swing-off.

Ronald Acuña Jr. records longest outfield assist of the season at 301 feet

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Ronald Acuña Jr. made a remarkable play in right field, throwing out Jorbit Vivas at third base with a 301-foot assist, the longest of the season without a bounce. Braves manager Brian Snitker praised Acuña's accuracy, calling him a "weapon" in right field. Acuña himself focused on anticipating the play, expressing satisfaction with his strong and accurate arm.

Brewers Place Sal Frelick on Injured List with Hamstring Strain

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick has been placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain, a move retroactive to Tuesday. Frelick sustained the injury while making a sliding catch in the final game before the All-Star break last Sunday. While he has been running in the outfield at Dodger Stadium, Brewers manager Pat Murphy emphasized the need for a smart return given Frelick's importance to the club, stating he will want to come back as soon as possible.

Sean Manaea's pitch count managed in Mets' loss

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Sean Manaea made his Citi Field debut for the New York Mets, throwing just 69 pitches across four innings in an 8-4 loss to the Reds. Manager Carlos Mendoza explained this limited pitch count is a deliberate part of Manaea's build-up process after recovering from oblique and elbow issues. Manaea expressed understanding but also frustration with his pitch efficiency, aiming to go deeper into games in the future.

Max Fried Sidelined by Blister Issue, Optimistic for Return Against Blue Jays

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New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried, originally scheduled to start the team's first game after the All-Star break against the Braves, was sidelined due to a blister issue, preventing his return to Atlanta where he pitched his first eight major-league seasons. The injury, which has sidelined the 11-3 pitcher (2.43 ERA) through the weekend, forced the Yankees to rely on a third-choice starter. Fried expressed optimism about pitching in the Yankees' upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays, though manager Aaron Boone noted the team is in "a little bit of a tough spot" regarding their pitching rotation.

Ezequiel Tovar Reinstated by Rockies, Returns to Lineup After Oblique Injury

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Colorado Rockies Gold Glove shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Friday and immediately returned to the lineup. Tovar, who had been sidelined since June 2 with a strained left oblique muscle, was batting .258 with three homers and 10 RBI in 32 games before his injury. He is set to play shortstop and bat fifth in Friday night's game against the Minnesota Twins.