MLB Player News

Laureano went 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk, three total runs and two total RBI in an 11-1 victory against the Giants on Wednesday.

Laureano's homer in the rout was a two-run blast in the fifth inning that made the score 10-0. The veteran outfielder already has the second-most homers (17) and RBI (56) of his career through 94 games, and he could reach his respective career-best marks of 24 and 67 that he set with the A's in 2019. Laureano has been especially potent since joining San Diego at the trade deadline, slashing .333/.400/.600 with two home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs and a stolen base through 12 contests.

Beck allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out one across two innings in Wednesday's 11-1 loss to the Padres.

Beck retired the side in order in the sixth inning but surrendered three singles and a run in the seventh, throwing 22 of his 32 pitches for strikes. The 29-year-old has appeared in nine games since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, recording a 4.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 7:3 K:BB across 12.1 innings during that span. Overall, the right-hander owns a 5.17 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and an 18:10 K:BB across 31.1 innings in 19 outings this season.

Lee went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored in Wednesday's 11-1 loss to the Padres.

Lee tripled to right field in the seventh inning before coming around to score the Giants' lone run. The 26-year-old outfielder has recorded at least one hit in three consecutive games and has hit safely in 11 of 12 games overall this month. He's slashing .333/.362/.533 with nine runs scored, five doubles, three RBI, two triples, one stolen base and a 10.6 percent strikeout rate across 47 plate appearances in August.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Graterol (shoulder) is unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list this season, MLB writer Mike DiGiovanna reports.

Graterol has been out all season after undergoing labrum surgery on his right shoulder last November. Roberts noted that Graterol is not currently throwing, suggesting the hurler suffered a setback at some point. Graterol will be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this offseason, but he could be a non-tender candidate, given his checkered history on the health front.

The Cubs placed Amaya (ankle) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After making his return to action in Wednesday's win over the Blue Jays following an extended stay on the 60-day IL due to an oblique strain, Amaya sprained his left ankle when he landed awkwardly on first base. He had to be carted off the field, and while X-rays returned negative, Amaya could require additional testing as the Cubs look to determine the severity of his ankle sprain. With Amaya back on the shelf, Carson Kelly will continue serving as the Cubs' primary catcher and will be backed up by Reese McGuire.

The Cubs recalled Caissie from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 23-year-old slashed an impressive .291/.391/.567 with 22 home runs over 402 plate appearances this season at Iowa to earn his first look in the majors. How frequently Caissie ultimately plays with the big club will be a question mark. Caissie is limited to the corner outfield and designated hitter, and the Cubs have all of Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki at full health and available to fill out those three spots on an everyday basis. The rookie is starting in the DH spot and batting fifth in his major-league debut Thursday in Toronto.

Blackburn (shoulder) struck out three and gave up two earned runs on one hit and one walk over five innings of relief in Wednesday's 11-6 loss to Atlanta.

Activated from the 15-day injured list early in the day after he had been on the shelf since July 3 due to a shoulder impingement, Blackburn was needed for some length out of the bullpen right away when starter David Peterson recorded just 10 outs on 80 pitches (48 strikes). Blackburn had been fully built up as a starter during his minor-league rehab stint, so he was well equipped to handle the heavy workload in relief. With New York moving Frankie Montas to the bullpen to clear a spot in the rotation, Nolan McLean will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse this weekend to serve as the team's new fifth starter. If McLean falters, Blackburn could be next in line to join the rotation.

Lindor went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta.

The shortstop has had trouble making a consistent impact with his bat since the All-Star break, but Lindor is at least still getting on base. Through 11 games so far in August, he's compiled a .238/.373/.381 slash line with three doubles, one homer, one steal, five RBI and 10 runs.

Hicks went 2-for-5 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and an RBI in Wednesday's win over the Guardians.

The two-bagger was Hicks' first extra-base hit since July 5, ending a 26-game stretch in which he'd managed a .222/.318/.222 slash line. The 26-year-old rookie continues to see regular playing time against right-handed pitching while bouncing between catcher, first base and DH, but he isn't offering much fantasy value.

Ashcraft is slated to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

After making his previous nine appearances out of the bullpen, Ashcraft picked up his second MLB start this past weekend against the Reds as a replacement in the rotation for Johan Oviedo, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Though he was limited to 56 pitches in his outing versus Cincinnnati, Ashcraft was effective during his time on the mound, striking out five while allowing five baserunners over 3.1 innings. He'll be rewarded with a second turn through the rotation this weekend, and Ashcraft could push his pitch count up to the 65-to-80 range now that he's on a starter's schedule. Whether Ashcraft will be stick around in the rotation for the rest of the season is still unclear; Friday marks the first day that prospects who are called up for the first time in 2025 won't be able to exceed 45 days of service time, which will keep them eligible for 2026 Rookie of the Year Award consideration. With that in mind, prized pitching prospect Bubba Chandler could soon get called up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut, and Ashcraft may move back to the bullpen to accommodate him.