MLB Player News

It’s a little surprising McCormick couldn’t get a guaranteed deal, given that there were so few free agent outfielders available capable of handling center field. Still, he has a clear path to a roster spot on the Cubs. McCormick started out strong with the Astros in 2021, putting together three nice years as a semi-regular before struggling and missing times the last two seasons. The 30-year-old is a lifetime .247/.321/.413 hitter, though he’s at .211/.273/.301 in 383 plate appearances since the beginning of 2024. He should be the Cubs’ fourth outfielder, unless Matt Shaw perhaps overtakes him.

It’s surprising that the Pirates didn’t offer a postgame update after Valdez was hit by a pitch during the early stages of Monday’s series opener against the Diamondbacks. The power-hitting 22-year-old appeared to get hit in the left hand/wrist area and presumably underwent X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures. It’s possible there was too much swelling to be able to tell anything on initial imaging. There should be some much-needed clarity on his status leading into Tuesday’s contest.

Duran entered the ninth inning with a 7-5 lead and recorded only one out. Two singles and a hit batter quickly loaded the bases with no outs. A Heriberto Hernández two-run single tied the game and three batters later Griffin Conine hit a walk-off single with the bases loaded and one out. It’s only Duran’s second blow save of the season. He has a 2.04 ERA.

Wheeler gave up six hits, walked one and struck out six. He allowed a lead-off single in the first inning and one batter later a run scored on a stolen base and two throwing errors. Then a solo home run to make it 2-0. In the second inning, a double, triple and a home run led to three more Marlins runs. Wheeler completed the third inning without allowing a run, but with 68 pitches thrown already he didn’t even start the fourth inning. His ERA is up to 2.53. Wheeler’s lined up to face the Orioles on the road on Sunday.

Phillips gave up three hits, walked two and struck out five. Pitching against the team he made his MLB debut with in 2024, the 28-year-old right-hander from Lumberton, New Jersey delivered a solid start. Phillips allowed a two-run homer to Bryce Harper in the first inning, but otherwise held the Phillies scoreless for five innings. His ERA is 3.52 as a swingman for the Marlins this year. Phillips is lined up to face the Mets on the road on Saturday.

Chaparro’s home run was his fifth of the season. He pinch hit for José Tena and hit a solo shot off Adam Macko in the fifth inning. Chaparro now has four home runs in his last eight games. He’s seen nearly all of his at-bats against left-handed pitching so far, but potentially his playing time could increase after the trade deadline. Chaparro is hitting .224 with an .824 OPS and 19 RBI in 76 at-bats.

Urías’s home run was his third of the season. He hit a solo shot off Eddy Yean in the third inning. Urías has had a fall from grace in the past few years after putting up multiple seasons with at least 3.0 WAR earlier in his career. He’s seeing most of his starts with the Blue Jays against left-handed pitching, though this home run was off a right-handed pitcher. Urías is hitting .237 with an .826 OPS and four RBI.

You can’t make this stuff up. Mead was replaced by Anthony Seigler at second base a couple frames after being drilled by a pitch on the left hand during his second at-bat in a Red Sox uniform after striking out in his first plate appearance. He’ll undergo X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Varland’s save was his 22nd of the season. He bounced back from a two-out single and a walk to strikeout Luis Garcia to end the game. Varland has a 1.02 ERA and still hasn’t blown a save in what continues to be a stellar campaign.

Scherzer allowed four hits, walked three and struck out four. He threw 75 pitches, which was likely his limit in his first start since June 10 due to back and thumb injuries. Scherzer was somewhat effective with four strikeouts and only one run allowed, but he couldn’t make it out of the third inning. The future Hall-of-Famer turned 42 on Monday. He’s lined up to face the Cardinals at home on Sunday, but not a recommended fantasy option at this stage of his career.