Oneil Cruz collects four hits, four RBI in win

Contreras admitted that his hand still hurts and that he is unable to hit on consecutive days. While he has shown some improvements, there’s still no clear timetable on when he may be able to return to action. At this point, his availability for the postseason remains in question.

That’s certainly encouraging. He’ll be reevaluated on Friday to determine his availability for the weekend and the postseason. All fantasy managers and Phillies’ fans can do now is wait and hope for the best. Expect another update on his status on Friday afternoon.

The Astros acknowledged on Thursday that surgery could be required to repair the issue, which would cost Varsho the remainder of the season. His potential availability for the postseason will be determined by how that evaluation on Monday goes.

It doesn’t sound like anything overly serious, but with just three games to go over the weekend it’s also no guarantee that the 27-year-old sees the field again this season. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer will start in his place at shortstop and bat eighth against Peter Lambert and the Astros on Thursday evening in West Sacramento.

Arrez was trying to avoid a collision with Jake Bauers while running to first base when he stepped awkwardly and went down in a heap. He had to be helped off the field and was unable to put any weight on his left leg. He’ll head for further evaluation. There’s definitely concern that he won’t be ready for the Wild Card series and could be looking at an extended absence.

Arenado capped off a six-run uprising in the opening inning with a 419-foot (102.5-mph EV) two-run shot off of Tanner Gordon. He also added an RBI single in the fifth inning that made it an 11-1 ballgame. The 35-year-old slugger has had a resurgent season at the plate for the Diamondbacks, slashing .254/.326/.469 with 29 long balls and 83 RBI in 586 plate appearances. Not bad for someone who was an afterthought in most fantasy drafts in the spring.

McCann smacked a run-scoring single off of Tanner Gordon in the fourth inning that increased the Diamondbacks’ lead to 10-0. He then ambushed a first-pitch slider from Jimmy Herget in the sixth inning and crushed a 401-foot (108.7-mph EV) solo shot that made it a 12-1 ballgame. With his two-hit attack, the 36-year-old catcher is now hitting .286/.316/.449 with six homers and 26 RBI on the season.

Moreno started the offensive explosion with a 416-foot (105.6-mph EV) three-run blast off of Tanner Gordon in the opening inning. That would be his only hit in six at-bats on the afternoon. For the season, the 26-year-old backstop is now hitting .308/.384/.486 with 16 homers and 81 RBI in what has been a very strong offensive campaign.

The 33-year-old southpaw didn’t walk a batter in the contest while striking out three. The Rockies scratched out a single run against him in the fourth inning, then Kyle Karros tagged him for a solo homer in the sixth inning. Rodriguez got 12 swings and misses on 92 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of 18 percent. He wraps up a tremendous bounce-back season with a 16-7 record, 2.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 143/62 K/BB ratio across 189 2/3 innings in 32 starts.

Carrigg tagged right-hander Dennis Santana for a 404-foot (105.7-mph EV) three-run blast in the seventh inning that pulled the Rockies to within six runs at 12-6. He also singled three times in the ballgame. The 24-year-old has had a solid rookie campaign, slashing .276/.340/.469 with 11 homers, 51 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 361 plate appearances.