MLB Player News

The Dodgers figure to add a couple experienced bullpen arms at the trade deadline, but their recent avalanche of injuries has forced them to move Miller to a relief role as a potential in-house alternative. The 26-year-old former top prospect continues to battle control issues at the Triple-A level, but his stuff figures to play up in shorter bursts out of the bullpen. He’s highly unlikely to make a fantasy impact in the near future, but we’ve seen countless examples of failed starters turning into quality relievers in the past.

Lange has had two appearances since the All-Star break and was charged with a blown save both times. In his last outing before the All-Star break, he allowed five runs. His ERA has ballooned to 6.30. Lange’s lack of effectiveness has rendered his status as the Royals’ closer relatively meaningless. He shouldn’t be active in fantasy lineups at this point.

McDonald gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three. He was removed prior to the fifth inning after feeling some elbow discomfort on a warm-up pitch. McDonald will undergo an MRI and his next start could be in jeopardy. He has a 5.12 ERA this season.

Young’s homer off Kyle Freeland was projected at a Coors Field-aided 437 feet. That’s 34 feet farther than he’d ever previously hit a ball in the majors. Young now has nine homers in 302 plate appearances this season. He’d totaled five in 1,006 plate appearances coming into 2026.

Alvarez was given a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but he coughed that up in the third before being lifted from a tie game in the fifth. He’s given up 11 earned runs in 12 innings over his last three outings, taking his ERA from 3.05 to 4.22. He’ll probably pitch again Sunday against the D-backs, but it could be as a bulk guy.

The Nationals’ lead swelled from three runs to four in the top of the ninth, so the club just left Cosgrove in to collect his second career save. The other came on Sept. 27, 2023, when he pitched the 10th inning for the Padres. Cosgrove, who spent the first three months of the year in Triple-A, has pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings since being acquired from the Astros earlier this month.

It’s the seventh straight start in which Freeland has allowed an even number of runs (two twice, four twice and six three times). Sorry, but it’s difficult coming up with interesting things to write about Rockies pitchers. Freeland took the loss, leaving him 2-9 with a 7.28 ERA. He’s given up seven more earned runs than anyone else in the league. He’ll probably make his next start Sunday in Milwaukee.

Castro didn’t miss a grand slam by much on a 415-foot shot to right center. He also walked in the contest. He has two homers and six RBI four games into the Rockies’ current homestand.

Kuroda-Grauer was replaced by Donovan Walton at third base after fouling a ball off his lower body earlier in the contest. He was 2-for-3 with his first career home run prior to leaving the game in the sixth inning. It seems like a precautionary exit, but fantasy managers should check back in on his status leading into Tuesday’s showdown.

Wacha gave up three hits, walked two and struck out five. He was in line for the win before Alex Lange blew the save in the ninth inning. Wacha bounced back from allowing 10 runs combined in his previous two starts before the All-Star break. He has a 3.66 ERA. Wacha is lined up to face the Tigers on the road this weekend.