MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand supplied an RBI single to open the scoring as part of the Orioles' five-run first inning, and he plated the winning run on a double in the ninth. That's back-to-back multi-hit efforts for the infielder to open Baltimore's series in St. Louis, though he went 0-for-15 across his five games before that. Overall, he's batting .264 with an .820 OPS, seven home runs, six doubles, 27 RBI, 11 runs scored and a stolen base across 114 plate appearances this year.

Taveras went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Cardinals.

Taveras' homer was part of a five-run first inning for the Orioles. Coming into Wednesday, the outfielder had just one extra-base hit over his prior 11 games, going 10-for-39 (.256) at the plate in that span. For the season, he's batting .228 with a .662 OPS, eight homers, 49 RBI, 52 runs scored, 13 doubles, six triples and 10 stolen bases through 116 contests. Taveras' playing time has trended up lately, and it should remain consistent as he takes over the starting job in right field in the absence of Tyler O'Neill (shoulder), who landed on the injured list Wednesday.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Cardinals.

Alonso has supplied nine homers and 20 RBI over his last 16 games, including multiple RBI on six occasions in that span. He helped the Orioles build an early lead with a second-inning blast Wednesday. Alonso is hitting .276 with an .881 OPS, 32 long balls, 91 RBI, 82 runs scored, 24 doubles and five stolen bases across 133 contests in his first year with Baltimore.

Kittredge allowed a hit and a walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Cardinals.

The Orioles took the lead in the top of the ninth inning, and Kittredge was able to make it stick. He continues to work in a general high-leverage role, collecting three saves and three holds, as well as one blown save, over 9.1 innings in August. The veteran reliever has a 3.35 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB across 40.1 innings this season, notching seven saves, nine holds and four blown saves along the way.

Bradish allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Bradish was cruising until the fifth inning, when the Cardinals were able to tack on six runs to erase an early deficit. With 12 runs allowed (10 earned) over his last 10 innings, Bradish's performance has taken a poor turn after a positive beginning to August. On the year, he has a 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 133:62 K:BB through 143 innings over 26 starts. He's lined up to make his next start in Colorado, which makes him a volatile fantasy option.

Lukes went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win against Kansas City.

Lukes was almost on his front knee as he golfed a fourth-inning pitch over the right-field wall to bring home the only runs of the game. The 32-year-old has hit three long balls in his last five games as he tries to ramp up his production in August. So far this month he is slashing .218/.244/.372 with four homers, 13 RBI and seven runs in 23 games.

Varland earned the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Royals, allowing two hits and no walks with one strikeout in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Varland worked through traffic in both of the innings he pitched, as he entered and escaped a two-on, two-out jam in the eighth and then allowed two hits in the ninth before securing the save. The 28-year-old righty has now converted 30 of his 31 save opportunities and hasn't surrendered an earned run in his past eight appearances.

Dobnak (2-2) took the loss against the Blue Jays Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out five.

Dobnak made one mistake to Nathan Lukes, giving up a three-run homer for the only runs of the game, and is without a win in his past four starts. The 31-year-old Dobnak has pitched well since entering the Kansas City rotation in July, as he has a 1.92 ERA in 10 appearances, though his 1.37 WHIP and 34:21 K:BB through 51.2 innings are less encouraging figures. The right-hander tentatively lines up to make his next start at homer versus Miami.

Rice went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, three walks and two additional runs scored in Wednesday's 9-3 win over Houston.

Rice blasted his third home run in his last nine games Wednesday. The All-Star slugger is now up to 35 homers on the season, trailing only Yordan Alvarez's 36 long balls in the American League. For the year, Rice is slashing a robust .251/.350/.529 with 20 doubles, three triples, 83 RBI, three stolen bases and 83 runs scored across 546 plate appearances.

Rodriguez took a no-decision against the Astros on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six.

It was arguably a career-best start for Rodriguez, who fanned a career-high six Wednesday. It was also his first quality start of the year and the first time he completed at least five frames though five MLB starts. Rodriguez tends to operate on a spot-start basis for the Yankees, but a doubleheader Saturday could allow him to get another turn through the rotation. For now, he's tentatively set to bring a 4.70 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 16:13 K:BB over 23 major-league innings to Anaheim against the lowly Angels.