MLB Player News

Bernadina is running away with the open outfield job as the Nats adjust to life without Jayson Werth (wrist). He’s started four straight games, going 6-for-17 with two homers, five RBI and two steals during that span. There’s some power/speed upside here.

With a .287/.343/.536 line, 16 homers and 49 RBI, France has been the Padres’ most valuable position player four months into the season, even though he spent the first 2 1/2 of those sitting more than half of the time. The team actually though Nick Castellanos was the better option for playing time initially.

The thinking was that Márquez would follow opener Bradgley Rodriguez tonight, but the Padres actually used Yuki Matsui for three innings first. Márquez came in to start the fourth and then went the rest of the way, throwing 70 pitches and allowing just one hit. It was his fifth career relief appearance; he had three as a rookie in 2016 and one earlier this month. He’ll likely work again Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, though it’s unclear if he’ll start.

Whisenhunt allowed seven hits and nine hard-hit balls and walked four before his early exit. He still figures to stay in the Giants rotation with the team set to sell prior to Monday’s deadline, but there just isn’t much of interest here, given his lack of control and below average fastball. His excellent changeup can only do so much. He’s due to face the Rangers next.

Bowen’s 384-foot homer came in his 61st plate appearance as a major leaguer. He’s still hitting just .164/.206/.250 with a horrible 24/2 K/BB to date, so he might be sent down if the Padres add an outfielder before the deadline.

Dingler broke the game open in the eighth inning, capping off a seven-run rally with a 411-foot (100.2-mph EV) grand slam off of Luis Morales. He also singled in the third inning. With his two-hit attack, the All-Star backstop is now slashing .269/.333/.520 with 23 homers and 72 RBI.

Clark worked Jeffrey Springs for a walk in his first MLB plate appearance, then blooped a single into left field in his next trip to the dish to collect his first hit. After bouncing out in the sixth inning, Clark smacked an RBI double off of left-hander Brady Basso in the eighth inning then scored on an error by Tommy White. He also doubled in the ninth inning and scored on a two-run single by Javier Baez. He’s going to have some growing pains, but his dynamic blend of power and speed should make him an intriguing option in deeper mixed leagues.

McGonigle got the Tigers on the board in the third inning with a 415-foot (101.9-mph EV) solo shot to center off of Jeffrey Springs in the third inning that tied the game at 1-1. He then gave the Tigers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. The 21-year-old is enjoying a terrific rookie campaign, slashing .285/.389/.424 with 10 homers, 39 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Madden struck out two batters in the contest while issuing a pair of walks. He took over after Tyler Holton worked the first two innings in a bullpen game for the Tigers and remained in as the Tigers took the lead in the fourth inning. While he has been great in a swingman role for the Tigers, there’s a chance that he gets moved back to the rotation next week if both Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize are dealt as anticipated.

Heim opened the scoring with a run-scoring double off of Tyler Holton in the home half of the first inning. That would be their only run in the ballgame. The 31-year-old backstop is now slashing .236/.289/.448 with 11 long balls and 35 RBI in 232 plate appearances on the season.

Springs struck out two batters in the ballgame. All of the damage done against him was inflicted by Kevin McGonigle, with a solo homer in the third inning and a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Springs threw just 44 of his 86 pitches for strikes, getting seven whiffs and posting a CSW of 22 percent. He’ll carry an unsightly 6.17 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and an 88/44 K/BB ratio (108 innings) into Thursday’s tilt against the Reds in Cincinnati.