MLB Player News

Buxton went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and a second run scored in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Buxton has homered four times over his last nine games, going 17-for-36 (.472) in that span. He took Shohei Ohtani deep on the second pitch of the game Monday. Buxton has put together a strong all-around campaign with 23 homers, 58 RBI, 68 runs scored, 17 stolen bases and a .292/.353/.583 slash line across 81 contests.

Festa (3-4) allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Monday.

Festa didn't give up many hits, but three of the four knocks he allowed went over the fence. He surrendered a two-run blast to Shohei Ohtani in the first inning before Will Smith added solo shots in the fourth and sixth frames. Festa has largely avoided homer trouble this year -- he's kept the ball in the yard in six of his 11 appearances, though he's given up multiple homers three times. Overall, he's run hot and cold, posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB across 53.1 innings. Festa and Zebby Matthews are likely to be in contention for one spot in the rotation once Bailey Ober (hip) returns, which could happen this week, leaving the Twins' pitching plans up in the air for their weekend home series versus the Nationals.

McCormick went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

McCormick has gone 3-for-11 with four strikeouts over three games since returning from an oblique strain that had kept him out since late May. The outfielder has started two of those games, both in center field, which will put some pressure on Taylor Trammell for playing time until Jake Meyers (calf) is able to return. For the season, McCormick is slashing .259/.333/.296 with no home runs, two RBI, nine runs scored and two steals on five attempts through 64 plate appearances. If he can't get his bat going, McCormick could eventually be limited to filling in as a fourth outfielder once the Astros are healthier.

Matthews went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI in Monday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Matthews had shown little success at the plate during his first call-up, going 1-for-12 with a walk and six strikeouts over his first four games. That changed Monday, as he took Zac Gallen deep in the second inning for a three-run blast, then came back for more with a two-run homer in the seventh to chase the Arizona starter from the game. Matthews still has some work to do to become a trusted part of the Astros' lineup, but the team is letting him do some learning on the job for now. He's started five of seven games at second base since his call-up, and if Matthews sticks there, Jose Altuve will continue to see more time in left field.

Hader walked two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Monday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hader got two outs on his first six pitches, then walked two batters before getting Josh Naylor on a flyout to end the threat. Hader took a blown save in his last appearance before the All-Star break and has walked four batters over three innings in two outings since the season resumed, which has made for a tumultuous July for the Houston closer. He's still been sharp enough when it matters, converting 26 of 27 save chances this season with a 2.36 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 66:13 K:BB across 45.2 innings.

Gordon (4-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Gordon was hit by a comebacker July 7 versus the Guardians but avoided the injured list and was cleared a day later. He pitched out of the bullpen prior to the All-Star break, tossing a scoreless inning against the Rangers on July 13. He was good enough in his return to the rotation Monday, coming up one out shy of a quality start while throwing 89 pitches (62 strikes) in the start. For the year, he's at a 4.53 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 48:11 K:BB through 57.2 innings over 12 appearances (11 starts). Gordon is tentatively scheduled for a favorable home start versus the Athletics this weekend.

Williamson went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in Monday's 6-0 loss to the Brewers.

Williamson had gone 0-for-8 over his previous three games, and this was just his second multi-hit effort in July. The rookie third baseman continues to earn his playing time through steady defense rather than big contributions on offense. For the season, he's slashing .259/.293/.319 with one home run, 19 RBI, 35 runs scored and three steals across 76 contests, giving him minimal upside as a contact hitter with little pop at the bottom of the order.

Kirby (4-5) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings to take the loss Monday versus the Brewers.

Kirby had a no-hitter going through five frames before it fell apart quickly in the sixth. He allowed two doubles, three singles and a sacrifice fly as the Brewers picked him apart in that frame to get all the offense they needed. This was the second outing in a row where Kirby has yielded four runs, and it ended his three-game winning streak. He's now at a 4.65 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 59:13 K:BB through 60 innings across 11 starts this season. His next start is projected for this weekend on the road versus the Angels.

Holliday went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Monday's 10-5 loss to the Guardians.

The multi-hit effort was Holliday's fourth of the month so far, and he's now submitted at least one knock in 14 of his last 19 games. While the 21-year-old middle infielder did endure a rough June, when he posted a .658 OPS through 26 outings, he's performed better at the plate in July while he tries to maintain his grip as Baltimore's everyday leadoff hitter. Holliday is batting .270 with three homers, two doubles and six RBI over 63 at-bats this month.

Vargas went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, two walks and an additional run scored in Monday's 8-3 win versus the Rays.

Vargas drew his fifth consecutive start at first base and homered for the second consecutive contest with a two-run long ball off Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz in the fifth. Before these back-to-back games with home runs, Vargas was mired in a 26-game homerless drought during which he batted .158 (15-for-95), so perhaps he is turning a corner. Across 400 total plate appearances, the 25-year-old has a .711 OPS with 12 homers, four steals, 51 runs scored and 40 RBI.