Josh Smith crushes pinch-hit homer in victory

McCutchen was 14-for-73 (.192) with one homer and five RBI in 37 games with the Rangers earlier this season before being released on May 28th. The Braves just released Rowdy Tellez because they didn’t want a strict DH on their bench, but perhaps McCutchen could work his way up to fill that role because he’s a better runner. He will start out in Triple-A, however.

Young has been working his way back from last season’s Tommy John surgery. The left-hander should resume his role in the middle innings.

Hamilton allowed one run on three hits in 1 2/3 innings on Thursday and has pitched in two of the last three days, so the Braves needed more fresh arms in the bullpen, but he has no minor league options left. He’s also allowed four runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings for the Braves this season. We would imagine they try to sign him back to a minor league contract once he clears waivers. Again.

Karinchak has actually pitched well in his first MLB innings since 2023. The 30-year-old has allowed two runs on four hits in 8 2/3 innings. He no longer has elite strikeout upside with just a 7/4 K/BB ratio, but we’d imagine this is just about getting a fresh arm up in the bullpen since Karinchak has thrown 42 pitches in the last three days and the Braves had to use four relievers on Thursday.

Molina was just up with the Braves in the middle of June. The 24-year-old has allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in five innings for the Braves this season.

Cavalli was expected to make two starts next week, with the first coming on Monday against the Astros. That no longer appears to be the case. Of course, Cavalli could appeal the suspension and have it reduced, but we’d imagine it will cover Monday’s game since the league cited Cavalli for “initiating” the incident when he shouted at Contreras and called him “Boy” after striking him out. Even without a two-start week, Cavalli looked so good in that Red Sox start that he should be added in more leagues as a potential second-half breakout candidate.

Vásquez was on his way to undergo X-rays on his ankle when he fainted. Those were deemed necessary because he took a Mookie Betts comebacker off his leg in the first inning, though he remained in until being pulled after three innings due to ineffectiveness. He was stable and conscious after fainting.

It’s his third career game with four hits and second with four RBI. Rushing’s five balls in play tonight ranged in exit velocity from 99.2 mph to 108.7 mph. He raised his average 19 points to .263, his OPS 51 points to .843 and his hard-hit rate from 41 percent to 44 percent.

The Dodger offense let him off the hook, but Sasaki put the team in quite a hole tonight. He gave up homers to Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth and threw 88 pitches to get his nine outs. After a nice May, Sasaki has given up 19 runs over 17 innings in his last four starts, taking his ERA from 4.03 to 5.40. It’s probably lucky for him that River Ryan is back on the shelf in Triple-A with a hamstring issue. He’s due to make his final start before the break Wednesday at home against the Rockies.

The Padres lack quality alternatives, but removing Vásquez from the rotation seems like the only appropriate move at this point. He’s given up 18 runs — 14 earned — in 9 2/3 innings over his last three outings, striking out just two batters in the process. The Padres won eight of his first nine starts this year, but they’ve now lost seven of his last eight turns. If he stays in the rotation, he’ll face the D-backs on Tuesday.