MLB Player News

Paredes was removed in the third inning of Saturday's game against Seattle due to an apparent leg injury, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Paredes smacked a ball to deep left field but pulled up before reaching first base and had to settle for a single. He was immediately checked on by a trainer and subsequently departed from the contest, as Zack Short replaced him as a runner. If Paredes needs to miss time, Short and Mauricio Dubon are candidates to step in at third base.

Robert went 2-for-4 with a walk, one RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 10-4 win over the Pirates.

Robert was a thorn in the Pirates' side all game, scoring three runs for the second straight contest while setting a career high with 24 stolen bases. The outfielder is riding a six-game hitting streak that includes two homers, six RBI, seven runs scored and two steals. For the season, he's slashing .201/.289/.343 with 10 home runs, 38 RBI and 34 runs scored across 315 plate appearances.

Houser did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 10-4 win over the Pirates, allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Houser yielded a season-high 10 hits while generating only four swinging strikes and failing to complete five innings for the first time in 10 starts this year. It snapped a streak of four consecutive quality starts for the 32-year-old, though he's still allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his outings. He'll carry a 1.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB across 62 innings into a tough matchup with the Cubs next weekend.

Latz will start in place of Nathan Eovaldi (back) in Sunday's game against the Tigers in Arlington, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Eovaldi was scheduled for the start opposite Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, but the Rangers righty has been scratched due to tightness in his back. In Eovaldi's place, Latz will step in for what will most likely be a spot start, unless Eovaldi requires a stint on the injured list. The lefty previously made two starts this season, topping out at six innings and 88 pitches June 24 versus Baltimore. Latz has pitched well overall this season, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB over 48 frames spanning 21 appearances.

Erceg (4-3) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks in an inning of relief as the Royals fell 3-1 to the Marlins. He struck out one.

Called in for the bottom of the eighth inning after Kansas City had tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the frame, Erceg handed the lead right back to Miami, although his line was somewhat misleading -- two of the walks he issued were intentional, and he threw 11 of 18 pitches for strikes. Carlos Estevez has blown three straight save chances, so the door could be open a crack for Erceg to work his way into the ninth-inning mix, but this performance won't encourage manager Matt Quatraro to switch things up. Through nine appearances in July, Erceg carries a 4.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over nine innings.

Eovaldi has been scratched from his scheduled start Sunday versus Detroit due to tightness in his back, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Sunday was slated to be a marquee pitching matchup between Eovaldi and the Tigers' Tarik Skubal, but that duel won't happen. Instead, the Rangers have tabbed Jacob Latz to start opposite Detroit's ace. Eovaldi had an IL stint in June due to a triceps injury, and he has made four starts since being activated June 27. It's not yet clear if another trip to the injured list could be on the table for Eovaldi due to the back issue.

Wacha came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out one.

The veteran righty was actually in line for a 1-0 loss until the Royals pushed across the tying run in the top of the eighth inning. Wacha produced his ninth quality start of the season on 78 pitches (51 strikes), but he's struggled to provide much consistency since the beginning of June, posting a 4.78 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB over his last 43.1 innings, which has resulted in a 1-5 record. He'll try to get back in the win column in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Guardians.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-5 loss to the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts over five innings.

Kikuchi allowed runs in the first and fifth innings before departing at 91 pitches. The southpaw allowed just three hard-hit balls and generated a whopping 19 whiffs, including 10 on his fastball, but he's now failed to deliver a quality start in any of his four July outings. He'll take a 3.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 123:52 K:BB across 118 innings into a home matchup with the Mariners next week.

Heineman went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Giants.

The backup catcher took Ryan Walker deep in the eighth inning for a two-run shot, providing the Blue Jays with some insurance. It was Heineman's third homer of the season and first since June 7, and while the 34-year-old has cooled down significantly in recent weeks, he's still slashing .341/.396/.518 in 85 plate appearances on the season with 16 RBI and 19 runs -- both career highs.

Barger went 4-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Giants.

The knocks had exit velocities ranging from 98.7 mph on his sixth-inning double to 108.3 mph on a fourth-inning leadoff single, as Barger recorded his first career four-hit game. The 25-year-old continues to scorch the ball in a breakout campaign, and through 14 contests in July he's batting .347 (17-for-49) with four doubles, four homers, two steals, 10 runs and 14 RBI.