MLB Player News

Lavender was the Rays’ Rule 5 draft pick and missed 2025 while recovering from an internal brace procedure. He’ll provide some depth — assuming good health — for the Mets’ minor-league staff to open 2026.

Rodriguez struck out two and walked one in the 105-pitch outing. Per Alex Weiner of AZ Sports, this was his fourth start of the season with at least seven shutout innings. The veteran southpaw has a 2.48 ERA through four months, though he’s outperforming every ERA indicator. A .258 BABIP and an 86% left-on-base rate have helped, but the season-long performance has been impressive. Fantasy managers will hope he can keep it rolling in his next start, at home versus the Padres.

Manager Torey Lovullo said postgame that Paul Sewald is out of the closer role for now. He leads the team with 24 saves but has struggled mightily lately. The lefty Garcia was called on to pitch for the third time in four days, though Arizona’s bullpen has been taxed recently. Lovullo didn’t name Garcia the closer, instead saying it would be a committee going forward. Juan Morillo, Kevin Ginkel, and Jonathan Loáisiga are all options to earn ninth-inning chances as the bullpen evolves over the coming weeks.

Jones struck out five and walked two. He pitched well enough to keep the Pirates in the game, but the offense had no answer for Eduardo Rodriguez, who tossed eight scoreless. The 24-year-old righty has now made 11 starts in his return from elbow surgery. He’s throwing harder and posting a higher K-BB% than he did as a rookie in 2024. His next start is scheduled to come in Milwaukee.

Moreno connected for a two-run shot off Jared Jones that gave Arizona a lead they wouldn’t surrender. The hot-hitting backstop has started every game since June 29 and leads primary catchers in batting average and OBP (min. 300 PA). A true power ceiling is the only nitpick in his profile, but his performance to date has been a win for fantasy managers.

Waldron has posted a 7.16 ERA in 32 2/3 innings for the Padres this season. He’s unlikely to be claimed on waivers, so the team could re-sign him to a minor league deal and keep him as organizational depth.

Estrada has been out since the beginning of June with right knee inflammation. The 27-year-old has a 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 23/10 K/BB in 20 2/3 innings for the Padres.

Gusto struck out three and walked two, raising his ERA to 5.31. Down 6-0, Miami scored eight unanswered to sweep Philadelphia. He’s made 13 appearances (eight starts) on the year but remains off the fantasy radar. His next outing lines up against the Braves in Atlanta.

Fairbanks struck out one in the 13-pitch inning. His ERA sits at 6.75, but he’s remained Miami’s closer. He only has three saves this month, though that has a lot to do with the All-Star break and the club’s 12-game losing streak prior to sweeping Philadelphia. The trade deadline is about to shake up bullpens across the league, so it’ll be interesting to see if his situation changes over the next week.

Luzardo struck out five and walked three, raising his ERA to 3.57. The Phillies jumped out to a 6-0 lead before the Marlins scored eight unanswered runs to secure the sweep. Philadelphia has now lost seven of eight, making Luzardo’s seventh-inning collapse ill-timed. He lines up to face the high-scoring Nationals at home next time out.

Hernández hit two homers in the Marlins’ three-game sweep of the Phillies, connecting for long balls off Zack Wheeler and Jesús Luzardo. The hot-hitting outfielder is of the high-SLG, low-OBP variety. He’s made 17 straight starts for Miami. His 16 home runs this season lead the team. The Athletic reported Wednesday that the front office is willing to listen to offers for several hitters, including Hernández. He’s a name to watch ahead of Monday’s trade deadline.