MLB Player News

Hays went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Hays signed with the Padres earlier Sunday. He didn't get the start, but he delivered a two-run shot while pinch hitting for Gavin Sheets in the eighth inning. Hays is likely to fill a short-side platoon role in the outfield during his time with the Padres. He is batting .250 with a .676 OPS, two homers, nine RBI, four runs scored, one double and no stolen bases over 13 games between the Padres and the White Sox this season, and he had a .779 OPS over 20 games with Triple-A Charlotte before the White Sox released him.

Sheets went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Sheets hadn't homered since June 30 versus the Cubs. During the 31-game power drought, he hit just .155 (13-for-84) with two doubles, five RBI and a 16:14 BB:K. The 30-year-old's slump, combined with the signing of Austin Hays on Sunday, could lead to Sheets losing some playing time, though he's still in the mix at first base, designated hitter and left field. Overall, Sheets is batting .214 with a .713 OPS, 15 homers, 44 RBI, 44 runs scored, 15 doubles and four stolen bases over 110 contests.

Merrill went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Merrill homered for the second game in a row and has hit safely in eight of his last nine contests. In that span, he's gone 13-for-36 (.361) with three homers and 11 RBI. The outfielder is batting .244 with a .705 OPS, 18 homers, 59 RBI, 60 runs scored, 18 doubles, two triples and 23 stolen bases over 116 contests this year. Assuming he can maintain his recent power hitting, he's within striking distance of his first 20-20 season.

Tatis went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Tatis is starting to find his power swing again with three homers over his last five games. This was his first blast in that span that wasn't a solo shot. Tatis is batting .283 with a .769 OPS, 11 homers, 54 RBI, 64 runs scored, 25 doubles, two triples and 26 stolen bases over 117 contests on the year.

Vasquez (8-6) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win over the Astros on Sunday.

Vasquez put just two runners on base, as he allowed a single to Taylor Trammell and a home run to Daulton Varsho in the second inning. Beyond that, it was another decent start for Vasquez, who has started his last two appearances. He's pitching to contact without getting burned for now -- he has just four strikeouts over his last 15.2 innings. On the year, he's maintained a 4.16 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 66:31 K:BB through 106 innings over 23 games (19 starts). Vasquez should get at least one more turn through the rotation while Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) work their way back. The next outing for Vasquez is projected to be on the road in Cleveland.

O'Brien recorded his 29th save Sunday against the Rockies, tossing a perfect ninth inning.

O'Brien was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and made quick work of Colorado, retiring the side in order on just eight pitches. The right-hander has now delivered seven consecutive scoreless appearances while allowing only one hit during that stretch. Across 48 appearances this season, O'Brien owns a 3-4 record and 29 saves with a 3.21 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 48:29 K:BB over 47.2 innings.

Nola (knee) is listed as the Phillies' probable pitcher Thursday against the Twins in the 2026 MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.

Nola sustained a right knee contusion after he was struck by a 104.8-mph comebacker during the sixth inning of his previous start Saturday versus the Blue Jays, but the injury is viewed as a mild concern that won't keep him from making his next turn through the rotation. Though he's continued to strike out more than a batter per inning in his age-33 season, Nola has done more harm than good for fantasy managers. He's notched just three wins in 24 starts and has served up a MLB-high 29 home runs, which has played a large part in inflating both his ERA (5.47) and WHIP (1.45).

Lorenzen did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over 4.1 innings.

Lorenzen struggled with traffic throughout the afternoon and was fortunate to escape with only four runs charged to him, two of which were earned. The veteran right-hander has now surrendered at least seven hits in four consecutive starts while failing to complete five innings in any of them. It's been a brutal season overall for Lorenzen, who owns a 6.83 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 81:46 K:BB across 112 innings. He's slated to make his next start on the road against the Giants.

Reynolds went 1-for-3 with a double Sunday against the Mets.

Reynolds has struggled out of the All-Star break, going just 19-for-90 (.211) across 22 games. Even when he has collected hits, they haven't been for much damage, as he has seven total extra-base hits -- including one home run -- with only four RBI in that span. Despite the slow stretch, Reynolds is still hitting .268 with 80 runs scored, 63 RBI and 15 home runs across 522 plate appearances for the season.

Dobbins is slated to start Monday's game against the Phillies in St. Louis.

After getting demoted to Triple-A Memphis on July 28, Dobbins was recalled just under a week later when the Cardinals opened up a spot for him in the rotation by trading Dustin May to the Brewers ahead of the deadline. Dobbins ended up making his fifth start of the campaign for St. Louis in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees, covering a season-high 6.1 innings while striking out four batters and yielding two earned runs on four hits and three walks. The right-hander should have a chance at sticking around in the Cardinals rotation for the balance of the season, though prospect Quinn Mathews looms as an alternative at the Triple-A level if Dobbins can't get the job done.