MLB Player News

Betts went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs Thursday in a 9-5 victory against the Rockies.

Betts got a turn in the leadoff slot with Shohei Ohtani (thigh) given a rest day. The outfielder-turned-shortstop set the table well in the series finale, reaching four times and scoring twice. Betts went through an 0-for-20 five-game stretch from late July to early August that brought his season batting average down to .231, but he's bounced back nicely since, slashing .351/.415/.491 with two homers, nine RBI, 14 runs and a 6:4 BB:K over his past 14 contests. Betts' .689 OPS on the campaign is still tracking toward his worst career mark by far, but he's at least surging at the right time as the Dodgers head into the stretch with a one-game lead over San Diego in the NL West.

Freeland went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, a run and an RBI in Thursday's 9-5 win over Colorado.

Freeland not only posted his first three-hit effort in the majors, he also hit his first big-league triple and his second major-league double. The rookie infielder went 6-for-17 in the first five games following his July 29 call-up, but he then sputtered to a 1-for-25 stretch that included 10 strikeouts (albeit with seven walks) over his next 10 contests. Freeland may be starting to turn things back around, as he's gone 5-for-13 with three extra-base knocks and just one punchout over his past four contests. He's been starting regularly against right-handed pitchers, logging time at both second and third base.

Torrens is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

After starting the first two games at catcher following the injury to Francisco Alvarez (thumb), Torrens has now been on the bench for two straight contests in favor of Hayden Senger. It's possible the two could split catching duties fairly evenly while Alvarez is out.

McNeil (shoulder) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

McNeil is dealing with nagging right shoulder soreness and will miss a second consecutive start. Starling Marte is at designated hitter and Brett Baty is at second base for the Mets on Friday.

Nimmo (neck) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

He'll miss a second straight start while battling a stiff neck. Nimmo is considered day-to-day. The Mets will roll out Tyrone Taylor again in left field in Nimmo's stead.

The Rockies are expected to call up Brown from Double-A Hartford to start Sunday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

After Colorado released Austin Gomber on Friday, Brown looks to be the leading candidate to fill the opening in the rotation. The 79th overall pick in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft, Brown missed significant development time after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 and has yet to pitch above the Double-A level, but he's pitched effectively over 11 outings for Hartford. Since getting promoted from High-A Spokane on May 30, the 25-year-old right-hander has logged a 3.14 ERA and 57:15 K:BB across 43 innings at Double-A.

Pages is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

After starting at catcher in the series opener Thursday, Pages will begin Friday's festivities on the bench. Yohel Pozo will be behind the dish and bat eighth for the Cardinals.

Church is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Rays.

Church started the first three games in center field upon his promotion from Triple-A Memphis, but he's now been on the bench for two of the past three games. The Cardinals will shift Lars Nootbaar over to center field and give Jordan Walker a start in right field.

Fraley (knee) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

Fraley tweaked his right knee Saturday while playing for the Reds and was designated for assignment Sunday. Atlanta picked up the veteran outfielder off waivers Tuesday, but Fraley has yet to debut. Given Atlanta has an established outfield trio of Jurickson Profar, Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna, Fraley should be considered unlikely to receive regular playing time when healthy.

The Marlins recalled Gusto from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Gusto will draw the start in Friday's contest versus the Blue Jays in what will be his second outing for the Marlins since he landed with Miami in a trade that sent Jesus Sanchez to the Astros. The righty holds a 4.89 ERA in 92 innings at the big-league level in 2025, though that's come with a promising 95:30 K:BB. Gusto should get the chance to stick in the Marlins' rotation for the rest of the season if he performs.