MLB Player News

Nelson allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over seven innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Thursday.

The right-hander began his outing with four hitless innings before Kyle Tucker singled off him to begin the fifth. Nelson departed after seven innings down 2-0, but a late Diamondbacks rally took him off the hook. He threw 94 pitches (62 strikes) while recording his fifth quality start in his past six appearances. He's had a couple blowups this season, but since the beginning of May, Nelson has pitched to a solid 2.89 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 46.2 frames spanning seven starts.

O'Hearn went 2-for-4 with a home run and an additional RBI in a 5-1 win against Houston on Thursday.

O'Hearn kicked off the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning. He later hit Pittsburgh's only homer of the game with a two-run shot to right field in the sixth. Thursday marked O'Hearn's fourth game since he returned from a stay on the injured list due to a quad injury. He hasn't missed a beat, batting .357 (5-for-14) with two homers and four RBI over those four contests.

Mlodzinski notched a save against the Astros on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out three batters over four innings.

Mlodzinski made his first appearance since he was moved out of the rotation and subsequently had a short stay on the restricted list. The right-hander followed Jared Jones, who pitched five scoreless innings, and tossed 55 pitches (36 strikes), with the only run against him coming on an Isaac Paredes solo homer. Mlodzinski notched the second save of his career (and first since 2023), but it's unlikely that he'll be in line for many additional save opportunities. He may continue to piggyback with Jones while the latter eases up his pitch count.

Dubon went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Dubon provided one of Atlanta's few offensive highlights as he accounted for half his team's hits on the night, launching a solo homer in the eighth inning to cut Toronto's lead to 3-2. The long ball was his fifth of the season and his second in as many games. Unfortunately for Atlanta, the momentum was short-lived as the Blue Jays answered with four runs in the following frame. Dubon entered Thursday deep into a slump, batting just .129 over his previous nine games, making the multi-hit effort an encouraging sign. The utility man is slashing .255/.312/.398 with 12 doubles, two triples, 33 RBI and 24 runs scored across 234 plate appearances.

Jones (1-0) earned the win over Houston on Thursday, allowing four hits and issuing two walks while striking out four batters over five shutout innings.

Jones was roughed up a bit in his season debut May 29, allowing five runs over 4.1 innings against Minnesota. The right-hander fared much better Thursday, limiting the Astros to four hits (two doubles and two singles) while going just deep enough to qualify for the victory. Jones threw 74 pitches after tossing 77 in his previous outing, so he seems to be having his workload managed carefully as he eases back into action following an extended absence due to the UCL surgery he underwent in May of 2025. Jones will look to build upon this performance moving forward, though he's lined up for a tough matchup at home against the Dodgers his next time out.

Sale (8-4) took the loss Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings.

Sale had to work around traffic all afternoon, allowing nine baserunners through the first three innings alone. The 10 hits surrendered were a season high, but the veteran left-hander did an admirable job limiting the damage and held Toronto to just three runs. After recording quality starts in nine of his previous 11 outings this season, Sale was one out away from another before being lifted in the sixth inning. The 37-year-old continues to turn in ace-level results, sporting a 2.23 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 86:19 K:BB across 72.2 innings. He is scheduled to face the White Sox in his next start.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Vargas is day-to-day with a bruised left thigh and rib cage after colliding with Max Muncy in Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

While Vargas is considered day-to-day, Lovullo said Vargas is unlikely to play Friday against the Nationals. It's still good news after he and Muncy were involved in a big collision at first base in the fifth inning Thursday. Pavin Smith came on to replace Vargas at first base following his injury.

Muncy passed concussion testing Thursday and has been diagnosed with a sore nose, but he will not play Friday against the Angels, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It can be viewed as good news for Muncy after he was involved in a big collision at first base with Ildemaro Vargas in the fifth inning of Thursday's 3-2 loss to Arizona. With lefty Reid Detmers getting the start for the Angels against the Dodgers on Friday, it makes sense to give Muncy another day to rest. Santiago Espinal came on to play third base following Muncy's departure Thursday.

Imanaga allowed six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six-plus innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Thursday.

Imanaga came into Thursday having lost each of his past four starts, and while that streak ended due to a late Chicago comeback, the lefty hurler didn't exactly bust out of his slump. The A's got to Imanaga for four long balls, including back-to-back homers to begin the seventh inning before the Cubs ace was given the hook. Imanaga has struggled mightily with keeping the ball in the park of late, as he's surrendered 12 home runs across his past four starts spanning 21.2 frames. For context, prior to that four-game stretch, he had served up just five homers across 54.1 innings. It may be difficult for Imanaga to keep the ball in the park in his next outing, as he's lined up for a road tilt in the Denver altitude against the Rockies.

Happ went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, an additional run scored and three total RBI in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Athletics.

Happ delivered his second straight two-hit effort and helped power the Cubs to a win. The veteran is now up 14 home runs and 34 RBI through 59 games, while also scoring 42 runs. Happ has been a consistent fantasy performer for a number of years now, and his ability to regularly get on base and hit for decent power sustains his value. The outfielder also rarely misses time, having played in 150 regular-season games or more the last four year. Happ has played in all but four of Chicago's contests so far this season.