Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Max Scherzer (2-7) was masterful in Sunday's 7-0 win over the Mariners, tossing seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts while allowing only one hit and one walk. The performance moved him to 3,535 career strikeouts, passing Gaylord Perry for ninth place on the all-time list. He now trails Justin Verlander by only 20 strikeouts for eighth place, with projections suggesting he could surpass that mark within his next five starts.
After being cleared to return from a shoulder issue, Dustin May struggled on the mound in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Texas Rangers. The defeat prevented the Milwaukee Brewers from completing a series sweep at American Family Field. May's performance was a key factor in the team's inability to maintain an early lead, as the Brewers fell to 67-70 on the season.
Logan Gilbert (11-8) took the loss in Sunday's matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. After a shaky first inning, Gilbert settled in but ultimately allowed three runs on six hits and one walk over five innings of work. He recorded four strikeouts in the outing as the Mariners fell to the Blue Jays.
Otto Lopez hit a home run to cap a six-run ninth inning, leading the Miami Marlins to a 6-2 comeback victory over the Washington Nationals. The rally was aided by the Nationals' bullpen, which blew their 35th save of the season, leaving them just two shy of the MLB record.
Zebby Matthews was a key figure in the Twins' 5-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. While he did not complete a 'Maddux' performance, Matthews was effective in limiting the opposition. His outing was highlighted by a bid for a perfect game that was eventually broken up by soft contact. Matthews remains a focal point in recent analysis, including Sunday's MLB prop betting markets.
Willson Contreras was removed from Sunday's 16-1 loss to the New York Yankees in the seventh inning due to hamstring tightness. His status will be monitored as the Red Sox evaluate the severity of the injury.
Ezequiel Duran played a pivotal role in the Texas Rangers' 7-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. His performance helped the Rangers avoid a series sweep and improved the team's record to 67-70.
Teoscar Hernández provided a crucial offensive spark in the Dodgers' 6-1 win over the Detroit Tigers, highlighted by a two-run home run in the sixth inning. After an initial plate appearance that reflected the team's recent offensive struggles, Hernández rebounded in his subsequent trips to the plate. His performance was instrumental in helping the Dodgers cap off a challenging month, providing much-needed momentum as the club looks to move past a sub-.500 August.
Matthew Liberatore served as the starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in Sunday's home matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. The game marked the conclusion of the Cardinals' current homestand before they depart for a West Coast road trip. Despite recent struggles on the mound, Liberatore was tasked with anchoring the rotation in a game where the team faced significant lineup challenges due to recent roster injuries.
The St. Louis Cardinals placed rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to right wrist tendinitis. Wetherholt disclosed that he had been playing through discomfort for weeks prior to the move. His absence is a significant blow to the Cardinals' lineup and could impact the National League Rookie of the Year race. The team will monitor his recovery progress closely as he works toward a return to the active roster.
The Carlos Rodón Foundation held its annual Willow Gala, an event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for families navigating fertility challenges. The event highlighted Rodón's off-field contributions to the community, drawing attention to his philanthropic efforts alongside his ongoing commitments with the New York Yankees.
Justin Verlander currently holds eighth place on the all-time MLB strikeout list, but he is being actively pursued by Max Scherzer. Following a ten-strikeout performance against the Mariners, Scherzer now sits just 20 strikeouts behind Verlander's career total. With potentially five starts remaining in the season, the race between the two veterans for the eighth spot on the all-time leaderboard has become a focal point of the late-season pitching narrative.
Austin Wells delivered an explosive performance in Sunday's 16-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox, going 2-for-2 with two home runs and five RBI. The rookie's offensive outburst was a key factor in the Yankees' dominant win, providing significant production from the plate and highlighting his impact on the team's recent offensive success.
Manager Blake Butera confirmed Sunday that Cade Cavalli is 'fine' after being struck in the calf by a comebacker during Saturday's game against the Marlins. Despite the scary moment, the pitcher appears to have avoided any significant injury, providing relief for the Nationals' pitching staff.
Matt Olson delivered a walk-off hit to lead the Atlanta Braves to their second consecutive series sweep. The Braves continue their strong momentum as they push through the late-season schedule.
Jonah Tong flirted with history for Triple-A Syracuse, coming within one out of an abbreviated no-hitter before allowing a two-out single in the sixth inning. Despite the dominant outing, the Mets remain non-committal regarding a potential September call-up for the pitcher.
Mark Vientos continued his impressive power surge during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse. In Sunday's game against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Vientos hit three home runs, signaling his readiness as he works his way back to the major league roster.
Tom Cosgrove was part of a 9th inning collapse for the Washington Nationals that resulted in an embarrassing loss. Alongside teammate Max Kranick, Cosgrove struggled to secure the final outs, leading to a significant team meltdown. The performance highlights ongoing issues for the Nationals' bullpen as they look to address late-game execution and consistency moving forward.
Max Kranick was involved in a difficult 9th inning collapse for the Washington Nationals, contributing to a frustrating loss for the team. The performance was part of a broader late-game meltdown that saw the bullpen struggle to maintain a lead. The team continues to face challenges in closing out games effectively, with this latest outing adding to a series of recent struggles for the pitching staff in high-leverage situations.
Edmundo Sosa contributed to the Philadelphia Phillies' 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, delivering a significant blow that helped the team complete a series sweep. Sosa remains a subject of team-related coverage as the Phillies celebrate their 20th win of August.
