Kazuma Okamoto slugs three-run homer in victory

The 31-year-old had a 3.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 84/21 K/BB ratio in 78 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season. He was called up for a bulk relief role last Tuesday as part of St. Louis’ doubleheader and allowed three runs across five innings. He will go back to his spot in the starting rotation at Triple-A.

Even though Ortiz is not hitting the cover off of the ball, what’s notable about this is that the shortstop has narrowed his stance. According to Statcast, in July, his feet have been a little over 26 inches apart with a stance that’s three degrees open. In the first two months of the season, his stance had his feet 29 inches apart and was nine degrees open. Narrowing and closing off the stance slightly is also the change that the Brewers made with Brice Turang to help fuel his breakout, so it’s something to watch in the second half of the season.

While their major league teammates are getting a few days off, both Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim (finger) will begin their rehab assignments. They will both likely play multiple games in the complex league this week while all affiliates are on a break, and there is a chance Acuña Jr., who has been out since June 10, will return right after the All-Star break concludes. At worst, it seems like the 28-year-old could be back in Atlanta’s outfield by next week.

Richards is back on the roster after four days away from the White Sox, but he’ll obviously get a few more days with his family with the All-Star break here.

Davis pitched three scoreless innings in his latest stint with the White Sox. He has a 4.10 ERA despite a 22/15 K/BB in 26 1/3 innings this season.

Kelly, who was called up Friday, gave up three runs while pitching two innings in the rout of the Brewers on Sunday. He’s allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings in two appearances for the Pirates this year.

Ortiz’s major league stint lasted just a few hours, but at least he did get to start and go 1-for-2 against the Yankees. The Nationals will add a pitcher in his place after the break.

Vargas doubled and scored in the fifth. In the sixth, he hit what should have been another double on a drive into the right field corner, but either because he thought it was a homer or that it was going foul, he didn’t run out of the box and then was thrown out at first base after a wide turn towards second. It still drove in the go-ahead run in what had been a 3-3 tie, and it gave him just his second multihit game since May 19.

Bratt was called up after it was revealed Saturday that Zac Gallen was being scratched. He struck out none and walked three today, throwing just 29 of his 58 pitches for strikes. The Diamondbacks, though, wound up winning 5-3 anyway, as six relievers all pitched scoreless innings behind him. It’s unclear if Bratt will stick around and start the second half in the rotation or return to Triple-A.

Even with his 4.24 ERA, Sewald has saved the Diamondbacks’ bacon by going 22-for-23 in save chances this year. The team will likely be a buyer at the deadline, but it’s highly unlikely that it’ll be targeting a closer upgrade. Starting pitching, on the other hand, seems like a big need.