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MLB News

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

Wednesday, August 19

Willson Contreras Faces Fan Backlash and Heated Confrontation

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Willson Contreras is under fire at Fenway Park following a series of incidents involving fan frustration. On Wednesday, the Red Sox first baseman was booed for failing to hustle to first base on a ground ball in extra innings, marking his second such incident in two weeks. Tensions escalated further as Contreras engaged in a heated verbal exchange with a fan, highlighting a growing rift between the player and the home crowd during a difficult stretch for the veteran.

Marco Vargas Continues Hot Streak in Double-A

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Marco Vargas continues to perform well in Double-A, maintaining his recent hot streak as part of the New York Mets' minor league system.

Jonathan Santucci Struggles in Triple-A Start

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In his fourth start since being promoted to Triple-A, Mets No. 2 prospect Jonathan Santucci had his worst outing to date against Worcester. He allowed six runs on six hits and four walks across four-plus innings while striking out three.

Ethan Salas Shows Promise in El Paso

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Padres prospect Ethan Salas continues to make positive impressions within the organization's minor league system. Recent updates from August 17 highlight his ongoing development while playing with El Paso.

Chase Burns Leads Reds to Victory Over Cardinals

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Chase Burns started for the Cincinnati Reds in Wednesday's matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals. The game, which served as the fourth contest of a five-game series, saw Burns face off against Matthew Liberatore. Following a competitive outing, Burns and the Reds secured a win as the Cardinals struggled with late-game blunders in the sixth inning. First pitch for the contest was scheduled for 5:40pm central time.

Matthew Liberatore Faces Reds in Wednesday Start

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Matthew Liberatore took the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of a five-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. Liberatore provided five strong innings of work against Reds starter Chase Burns, but the Cardinals ultimately fell after defensive blunders in the sixth inning undermined his performance. The game, which featured clutch two-strike hitting from the Cardinals, began at 5:40pm central time.

Jac Caglianone Exits Wednesday Game with Ankle Soreness

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Kansas City Royals player Jac Caglianone was removed from Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics due to right ankle soreness. Further updates regarding his status and the severity of the injury are pending.

Paul Skenes Struggles in Rocky Outing Amid Velocity Concerns

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Rookie Paul Skenes is enduring a difficult stretch, with his ERA rising to 3.95 after allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over 4.1 innings against the Tigers on Wednesday. Skenes, who was removed after 81 pitches, struck out five. Concerns persist regarding declining fastball velocity, potentially linked to his World Baseball Classic participation. Despite the team pushing back his start to help him recover, Skenes acknowledges he has significant work to do.

Rookie Brett Bateman Exits Game Early with Hamstring Injury

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Blue Jays rookie Brett Bateman was forced to leave the game against the Rays early due to a hamstring injury. Bateman, who only made his MLB debut earlier this month after being acquired by Toronto at the trade deadline, is now dealing with this setback. Further information regarding the severity of the injury and his potential recovery timeline is expected as the team evaluates his condition.

Samy Natera Day-to-Day Managing Tight Back

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Samy Natera is currently managing a tight back, according to reports from Wednesday. The Angels pitcher is considered day-to-day as he works through the discomfort. The team will continue to monitor his status to determine when he can return to full activity.

Jacob deGrom Cleared for Thursday Start; Nears 2,000 Strikeouts

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Jacob deGrom is set to start Thursday against the Nationals after recovering from triceps fatigue. The veteran pitcher is closing in on a major milestone, aiming to become the second-fastest pitcher to reach 2,000 career strikeouts. Additionally, deGrom is focused on reaching 30 starts this season, a feat he has not accomplished since his 2018-2019 Cy Young campaigns. His return to the rotation is a vital boost for the Rangers as they push through the remainder of the season.

Ketel Marte Undergoes Knee Testing Amid Uncertain Return

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Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte has returned to Phoenix to undergo an MRI on his left knee. His agent, Charisse Espinosa-Dash, confirmed the testing and expressed his desire to return, though his absence from the team's recent Boston series remains unexplained. GM Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo have expressed frustration over the lack of communication, leaving Marte's status for the remainder of the 2026 season uncertain as the team evaluates his condition.

MRI Confirms Best-Case Scenario for Edwin Díaz

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Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz underwent an MRI on Wednesday that returned clean results, according to manager Dave Roberts. Díaz is currently on the injured list due to neck inflammation. The clean imaging is viewed as the best-case scenario for the team, providing optimism for his eventual return to the bullpen as he continues his recovery process.

Jorge Polanco Out for Season Following Ankle Surgery

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Jorge Polanco’s 2026 season has officially concluded. The infielder, who had been playing through significant pain, was placed on the 10-day injured list before it was determined he requires surgery to address recurring left ankle bursitis. Mets interim manager Andy Green confirmed the decision, which removes the veteran from the lineup for the remainder of the regular season following an underwhelming debut campaign with the club.

Roki Sasaki Takes Mound Against Rockies Following Travel Delay

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Roki Sasaki is set to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in tonight's game against the Colorado Rockies, facing Kyle Freeland. The Dodgers intentionally delayed Sasaki's travel to Denver ahead of this start. The matchup highlights Sasaki's continued role in the Dodgers' rotation as they aim to complete a series sweep and maintain their momentum on the road.

Mickey Gasper Homers for Third Consecutive Game

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Mickey Gasper continued his power surge by hitting a home run in Wednesday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. This marks the third straight game in which Gasper has homered for the Red Sox. While the team ultimately fell short in the series finale at Fenway Park, Gasper's consistent offensive production remains a bright spot for the Boston lineup.

Greg Weissert Allows Long Ball in Extra-Innings Loss

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Greg Weissert surrendered a home run during the Boston Red Sox's 7-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 10 innings on Wednesday. Despite the back-and-forth nature of the finale at Fenway Park, Weissert's outing contributed to the team's inability to secure a win. The loss marks a tough end to the series for the Red Sox bullpen.

Pete Crow-Armstrong Emerges as Key MVP and Postseason Contender

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As the season enters its final quarter, Pete Crow-Armstrong has become a central figure in the Chicago Cubs' postseason narrative and National League award discussions. He is currently locked in a heavyweight MVP race with Shohei Ohtani, with both players trading blows in recent performances. Crow-Armstrong's offensive potential and growing impact have made him a top prop bet pick, reflecting his vital role as the Cubs fight to remain competitive in the NL.

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 30-Homer Milestone for Sixth Straight Season

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Shohei Ohtani hit his 30th home run of the season during the Dodgers' 7-6 win over the Rockies, marking his sixth consecutive season reaching the milestone. Ohtani has been dominant in the series, accounting for three of the team's four home runs. As the reigning NL MVP, his performance remains central to the Dodgers' postseason push and the ongoing MVP race. Manager Dave Roberts noted that any potential pitching contributions later this year would be a bonus.

Jared Young Continues Hot Streak for Mets

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Jared Young has continued his impressive performance in the New York Mets' lineup this season. Focused on keeping his approach simple at the plate, Young maintained his hot streak during Wednesday afternoon's contest, further solidifying his role and contribution to the team's offensive production.