MLB Player News

Assad secured the save against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out three.

After the Cubs built a 9-5 lead in the sixth inning, Assad closed it out for Chicago on Wednesday to help give other members of the bullpen a respite. The right-hander has a quality 3.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB with two saves in as many chances over 80.1 innings this season (10 starts), and he should remain a swingman as opposed to a consistent high-leverage option.

Burleson went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Phillies.

The two-bagger was Burleson's MLB-leading 30th of the season, and it brought home two runs as part of a fifth-inning rally that broke open a 1-1 tie. Burleson has been an RBI machine in August, batting .342 (13-for-38) through 11 games with three doubles, four homers, eight runs and 13 RBI.

Yastrzemski went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a double in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets.

Yastrzemski entered the game in the seventh inning and launched a solo homer before adding a double in the eighth. The 35-year-old has been sharing time with newly acquired Lane Thomas, but he's posted a strong .917 OPS with eight extra-base hits over 19 games since the All-Star break. On the season, he's slashing .234/.318/.401 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 40 runs scored and a stolen base across 305 plate appearances.

Leahy (9-4) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over five innings in a 7-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander tossed 57 of 81 pitches for strikes as he outlasted opposing starter Zack Wheeler, who fell apart in the fifth inning. Leahy has given up two runs or fewer in an impressive nine straight starts, going 4-0 over that stretch while delivering a 1.52 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB over 47.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Cincinnati.

Wheeler (10-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Phillies fell 7-1 to the Cardinals, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.

Things unraveled for Wheeler in the fifth, as St. Louis rattled off four straight two-out hits to break open a 1-1 tie, including back-to-back RBI doubles by Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker. The veteran righty exited after 84 pitches (53 strikes) as he lost his third straight decision since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 6.05 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB over 22.1 innings and five starts. Wheeler will look to get back on track in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Marlins.

Lowder (4-8) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Lowder has allowed eight runs over 22.1 innings across his last four starts, but he has just one win in that span. The 24-year-old threw 59 of 94 pitches for strikes Wednesday and has had mixed results throughout the year, posting a 5.15 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB through 94.1 innings over 21 games (18 starts). His recent work has been mostly effective -- he's given up more than two runs just once in eight appearances since the beginning of July. Lowder's next outing is projected to be at home versus the Cardinals.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 12-6 win over the Nationals. He also stole two bases.

Ramirez was active Wednesday, recording his second career two-steal game and his seventh stolen base this season in seven attempts. The rookie is having a strong debut with the Cubs, though consistent playing time may be an issue down the stretch. Alex Bregman, who tallied a career-best three home runs and seven RBI in Wednesday's win, is entrenched at third base, and Tyrone Taylor came over at the trade deadline to give the team another option off the bench.

Swanson went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two additional runs scored and two total RBI in Wednesday's 12-6 win over the Nationals.

While Swanson was overshadowed by Alex Bregman, who exploded for a career-best three home runs and seven RBI, the veteran shortstop still put together a strong fantasy performance. His batting average has been lagging all season, though he's been able to offset that to some degree with 18 home runs and 16 stolen bases through 116 games. Swanson may frustrate on a day-to-day basis due to his low batting average, but he's still capable of posting big stat lines, and he's closing in on his second straight 20-20 campaign.

Kent took a no-decision against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks in four-plus innings. He struck out six.

Kent delivered four scoreless innings to open the game, but he was unable to record an out in the fifth after allowing three consecutive baserunners in the frame. The 23-year-old southpaw was making his MLB debut Wednesday, and he's looking at a potentially extended stay in Washington's rotation while the Nationals wait on Connelly Early (elbow) to get healthy. Kent's next outing is tentatively projected to come in Texas.

Bregman went 3-for-3 with two walks, three home runs and seven RBI in Wednesday's 12-6 win over the Nationals.

Bregman is officially on fire as he recorded his first career three-homer game and just his second multi-homer game of the season. The seven RBI are also a new career best. The veteran third baseman is now up to 16 long balls overall, and he's sporting a robust 1.123 OPS in 11 games this month with five of those home runs and 14 RBI. Bregman has put a sluggish start to the year behind him, and based on his recent performance, he could end up being a major difference-maker down the stretch.