MLB Player News

Rea (7-6) took the loss Friday against the Twins, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six batters across six innings.

Rea allowed just one batter to reach base across the first two innings of the game, but things began to fall apart when he allowed four hits in the third inning before retiring a batter, including a three-run homer off the bat of Ryan Jeffers that capped off a four-run outburst from Minnesota. Rea managed to settle in afterward and tossed three scoreless innings, but the four runs the Twins put up on him were already more than enough to keep them in front for the rest of the night and hand the 36-year-old his first loss since June 14. He'll carry a 4.74 ERA and 1.42 WHIP into his next start -- tentatively scheduled to come Wednesday against Detroit.

Ford went 2-for-5 with a walk, a home run, three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's rout of the A's.

In his ninth career MLB game and his Nationals debut, Ford took Justin Sterner deep for a two-run homer in the fifth inning, giving the 23-year-old backstop his first career long ball. Ford wasn't exactly lighting it up at Triple-A Rochester prior to his promotion, managing a .705 OPS and four home runs in 58 games, and he could be limited to a short-side platoon role while working behind Keibert Ruiz.

Nunez went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's win over the A's.

The Nationals scored three or more runs in five different innings on their way to a 23-4 rout, and Nunez was one of six Washington players with multiple hits and one of seven to cross the plate multiple times. His sixth-inning steal was his 35th of the season, putting him five clear of Bobby Witt for the major-league lead. Nunez was getting by on his defense and speed early in the season, but since the beginning of June he's produced a stunning .343/.407/.431 slash line over 114 plate appearances.

Dunn (elbow) has shown improvement and hit off a tee July 11, MLB.com reports.

Dunn made himself indispensible in center field prior to landing on the injured list in late June. He was soon joined by Dane Myers, who was activated from the IL on Friday after rehabbing a shoulder injury. Myers joins TJ Friedl as the primary center fielders while Dunn rehabs.

Conine went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

The second-generation player took Logan Henderson deep in the fifth inning for the Marlins' only offense on the night. Conine has been productive in a strong-side platoon role since he came off the IL in late June, and over his last 61 plate appearances he's produced a .308/.410/.596 slash line with four of his six homers on the season and nine of his 13 RBI.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The veteran right-hander produced his third straight quality start in July and MLB-leading 15th of the season on 104 pitches (60 strikes), but he left the mound with the score tied 1-1. Over 21 innings this month, Alcantara has delivered a 2.14 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB, and with the Marlins firmly in playoff contention, the odds of him being dealt at the trade deadline are dwindling. Alcantara will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Houston.

Santillan (oblique) received a PRP injection July 9 and is undergoing further treatment, MLB.com reports.

The Reds are doing their most to speed up Santillan's healing process, although the report only estimates a return during the second half of the season. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list in late June with what manager Terry Francona described as a significant strain.

Hughes (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Reds after allowing two runs on five hits and two walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Hughes was making just his second start of the season and ended two outs shy of recording a quality start, while the six strikeouts were a strong output. In three appearances (two starts) this season, Hughes has allowed five runs on 11 hits and five walks while fanning 14 across 14.1 innings, translating to a 3.14 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. If he stays in the rotation for another turn, Hughes would be in line to make his next start against the Nationals at home next week.

Ashcraft (elbow) is on a throwing program, which will have him throw from 105 feet beginning July 20 at the Reds' training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Ashcraft will eventually move out to 120 feet and possibly begin bullpen sessions Aug. 2. The right-hander landed on the 60-day injured list in late May and should return at some point during the month of August.

Singer (4-9) earned the win Friday against the Rockies after allowing two runs on four hits across seven innings. He struck out six.

Singer gave up a run in the fifth and another one in the seventh, but he was solid the rest of the way en route to picking up his fourth win of the season. The 29-year-old right-hander has struck out at least five in each of his last seven starts (41.2 innings) while posting a 2.81 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 8.6 K/9 over that span. He's scheduled to take the mound on the road against the Mariners in his next start.