MLB Player News

The Braves got a boost from the bottom of the order as shortstop Pedro Ciriaco drove in four runs from the No. 9 hole, but it wasn't enough in a 9-6 loss to the Rays. 

The normally light-hitting Ciriaco drove in two runs with a second-inning single and then connected for his first home run of the season in the fifth. His seventh inning sacrifice fly put Atlanta ahead 5-3, though the Braves would squander that advantage. 

Ciriaco's big night gives him 15 RBIs on the season. 

The Braves have demoted left fielder Todd Cunningham and middle infielder Daniel Castro to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room on the roster for newcomers Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

Cunningham had just been brought up Friday. Castro managed nine hits in 30 at-bats in his short stint with the team.

The Blue Jays have announced that they have acquired infielder Cliff Pennington from the Diamondbacks. They are receiving minor league shortstop Dawel Lugo in return. Toronto will receive cash in the deal as well.

Pennington, who would provide depth for Toronto, owns a slash line of .237/.314/.281 with one home run in 135 at-bats. He spent his first five seasons in the American League with Oakland.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford had a big game at the plate in Monday's 8-7 loss to the Braves. Crawford went 2 for 5 with a pair of home runs off starter Mike Foltynewicz. 

Crawford slugged a solo shot in the second inning, and then added a two-run blast in the fourth. This was the second two-home run game of Crawford's career, and he now has four big flies in his past seven games.

Shorstop Nick Ahmed got the Diamondbacks on the board early, as he belted a solo home run in the third inning of Monday's 6-4 win over the Nationals. Ahemed, who went 4 for 4 and scored twice, cranked out his seventh home run of the season.

Ahmed had been struggling at the plate, as the four hits on Monday matches the total from his previous seven games. The four-hit game was the first of his young career.

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon is catching his first break since coming off the disabled list on Tuesday. He is out of the lineup Sunday against San Diego. Miguel Rojas is set to man the position instead.

Gordon is in a 1-for-15 slump that has shrunk his average to .330, its lowest point since April 11.

Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's game, after 70 starts there this season. 

Cliff Pennington starts in his place for just the second time this season. He previously got the call in left field on June 28. 

Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas is not in the lineup for his team's matchup against the Nationals on Wednesday. 

Rojas is out with a lingering shoulder injury and will be replaced by Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop.

Marlins infielder Miguel Rojas, who has missed some time with a right shoulder sprain, is available to play off the bench, according to Fox Sports.

Fresh off of the disabled list, Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon went right back to making an impact on the basepaths in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Nationals. Gordon went 2 for 3 with a triple and a sacrifice bunt.

He also scored a run and continues to lead the league in hits with 124, despite missing more than two weeks with a thumb injury. Gordon is batting .294 over his past nine games.