MLB Player News

Diekman predictably passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will head to free agency in search of a new opportunity. The 37-year-old southpaw notched four saves this season for the Mets to go along with a lackluster 5.63 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 40/24 K/BB ratio across 32 innings (43 appearances).

Trammell played a pivotal role in breaking a late-game stalemate by rocketing a 411-foot fly ball off the right-center field wall at Oracle Park. He came around to score to eventual game-winning run on a sacrifice fly from ensuing batter Nick Allen. It was his lone hit of the contest, but it came at the perfect moment for the Astros, who find themselves sitting atop the AL West division.

Hader received the call to protect a narrow one-run lead in the final frame and required just eight pitches to slam the door against the bottom of San Francisco’s lineup. He retired Andrew Knizner and Christian Koss on a pair of pop ups before coaxing a game-ending grounder from Jung Hoo Lee. This latest effort came after tossing two scoreless frames earlier in the series on Monday night to pick up a win. The 32-year-old veteran closer has been simply magnificent, recording a microscopic 0.96 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 38/10 K/BB ratio across 28 innings since making his season debut back on June 3. He’s gone a perfect 17-for-17 in save opportunities during that span. He’s on track to finish as a top-10 closer, despite missing the first two months of the season to a biceps injury.

Imai made his first appearance since throwing three perfect innings in relief against the Blue Jays back on August 3, scattering three hits and a pair of walks over three frames. He took over after openers Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos worked the first inning. The 28-year-old righty has gone through one of the more turbulent stateside debuts in recent memory, boasting a lackluster 5.29 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 80/42 K/BB ratio across 64 2/3 innings of work. His inability to work deep into games tamps down his realistic fantasy appeal and renders him irrelevant in shallow mixed leagues. He’ll factor into Houston’s relief mix for the final six weeks of the season.

Perhaps it’s only fitting that Houser would turn in one of his strongest starts of the year against the club that made him a second-round pick back in 2011. The 33-year-old veteran allowed just two hits and one walk, but was forced to settle for a no-decision after San Francisco’s bullpen coughed up the lead following his departure. He’s operated in a swingman-type role for the Giants over the last few weeks and made his first traditional start in nearly two months. He’s under contract through next season, so it makes sense for San Francisco to keep rolling him out there over the final six weeks. He’ll get the ball for his next outing against the Guardians on Wednesday.

Adames appeared to be dealing with some back discomfort following a seventh-inning flip to start a double play. He was replaced at shortstop by Buddy Kennedy in the eighth inning after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Burleson is the first player to reach 30 doubles this year, breaking a tie with Otto Lopez and Matt Olson at 29. He’s currently tied with teammate Jordan Walker for fourth in the majors with 84 RBI. CJ Abrams is first with 91.

Leahy allowed just four hard-hit balls and walked none in another strong outing. It’s unclear just how many more innings he’ll be allowed to throw this year after spending the previous three seasons in the pen, but he’s been on a roll for nearly two months now, having gone 4-0 with a 1.52 ERA in his last nine starts. He’ll pitch in Cincinnati next week.

The unearned run came in the second after a tough error on Alec Bohm on Jordan Walker’s 106-mph smash to first. The remaining runs all came in the fifth, an inning that featured three singles and two doubles. Wheeler’s last four starts have seen him get roughed up three times and exit after two scoreless innings in the other because of a long rain delay. We still don’t see any reason for panic, though. He’s a fine bet to bounce back next week against the Marlins.

Realmuto is 6-for-34 with just one extra-base hit and one RBI this month. Statcast thinks he’s pretty unlucky to be hitting .220/.295/.347, but that .642 OPS would be the worst of his career by more than 50 points; he came in at .696 as a 24-year-old rookie in 2015.

McGonigle receives his opportunity in the heart of Detroit’s lineup with cleanup man Riley Greene hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain. The 21-year-old rookie has batted near the top of the lineup for the last four-plus months. He doesn’t offer the prototypical middle-of-the-order skillset, but the brand-new lineup spot should result in a noticeable uptick in run-producing opportunities, which is a positive for his fantasy value.