Roki Sasaki to start Dodgers’ second half opener

The 26-year-old shortstop had been playing through some soreness since the start of the season, so he got a cortisone injection to help out. Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo told reporters on Thursday that it’s not something that should hinder him going forward and isn’t something that should cause him to miss any time. It sounds like fantasy managers don’t have anything to worry about here. He’s considered day-to-day.

McGreevy had an outstanding first half for the Cardinals, posting a 3.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 66/23 K/BB ratio over 101 2/3 innings through his first 18 starts. Dustin May will follow on Saturday with Andre Pallante taking the ball in Sunday’s series finale.

Soto had singled and drawn three walks in his four plate appearances before exiting in the eighth inning for a defensive replacement. Interim manager Andy Green said after the game that the team just wanted to get him off of his feet for a couple innings and that Soto is expected to play in both games over the weekend. He’s considered day-to-day.

The 25-year-old has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Athletics and is now free to explore opportunities on the open market. Marlowe hasn’t appeared in a big league game since the 2024 season. He has sizzled at the plate at Triple-A Las Vegas this season, slashing .317/.394/.521 with seven homers, 50 RBI and 24 stolen bases (in 26 attempts) over 361 plate appearances. He shouldn’t be out of work for long.

Alvarez got the scoring started in the third inning with a 416-foot (100.2-mph EV) solo shot off of Aaron Nola. He then increased that edge to 3-0 with his 363-foot (104.4-mph EV) blast off of Nola to in the seventh inning. He also drew a walk and struck out in the ballgame, finishing the night 2-for-3. For the season, the 24-year-old backstop is now slashing .259/.325/.448 with 11 long balls and 25 RBI.

Baty led off the seventh inning with a 378-foot (95.6-mph EV) solo shot off of Aaron Nola that extended the Mets’ lead to 2-0. He also singled in the contest. With his two-hit attack, the 26-year-old infielder is now slashing .224/.299/.327 with five homers, 32 RBI and five stolen bases across his 332 plate appearances.

Williams took over with a 4-1 advantage and tore right through the heart of the Phillies’ lineup, getting Bryce Harper on a ground ball to second base, Brandon Marsh on a line drive to left and Alec Bohm on strikes to end it. It has been a rough season overall for the Mets’ closer, sporting a 4.73 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and a 44/19 K/BB ratio over 32 innings while converting 14 of his first 17 save chances.

The 27-year-old hurler scattered three hits on the evening and didn’t walk a batter. Two of the three hits that he surrendered were doubles to Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, but he was able to evade any damage being done. Scott generated 12 swings and misses on 79 offerings in the contest — five of them on his fastball — while registering a strong CSW of 35 percent. He’ll look to replicate this fine effort as he carries a 2.87 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 72/26 K/BB ratio (59 2/3 innings) into Wednesday’s battle against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Turner finally got the Phillies on the board in the eighth inning with his 383-foot (101.2-mph EV) solo shot off of Luke Weaver, pulling the Phillies to within two runs at 3-1. That would be as close as they would get. The 33-year-old shortstop is having a disappointing season overall, slashing just .236/.284/.362 with 11 homers, 34 RBI and 16 stolen bases in his first 419 plate appearances.

Nola racked up six strikeouts on the night while issuing four free passes. All of the damage that was done against him came via the long ball, with Francisco Alvarez crushing a solo homer in the third inning then Brett Baty and Alvarez going back-to-back to open the seventh. Nola got 16 swings and misses on 97 pitches on the evening, posting a strong CSW of 35 percent. He’ll carry a 5.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a 108/35 K/BB ratio (103 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Dodgers.