MLB Player News
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Grabs first save since return
Pagan earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Orioles, allowing a run on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.
It didn't come easy for Pagan in his first save chance since returning from a nearly two-month stint on the IL. The Orioles loaded the bases with one out before adding a run on a sacrifice fly. Pagan then coaxed a lineout off the bat of Adley Rutschman, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base and locking down his seventh save of the year. It's been an uneven season for Pagan thus far -- he now sports a 6.46 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB across 15.1 innings. Still, the veteran is expected to hold down the ninth-inning job in Cincinnati going forward.
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Max Kepler LF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Back on bench Sunday
Kepler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
The left-handed-hitting Kepler will hit the bench for the third time in four games, with two of his absences coming against right-handed starters. After completing an 80-game suspension to begin the season and making his Arizona debut June 25, Kepler appeared primed for a strong-side platoon role in the left field. However, Kepler's ongoing struggles appear to have cost him some playing time; he's gone just 2-for-18 at the plate through his first six games with Arizona.
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Nick Lodolo SP | CIN
Reds' Nick Lodolo: Sharp in third win
Lodolo (3-2) earned the win Sunday over the Orioles, allowing a run on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.
Lodolo was solid Sunday, as he held Baltimore scoreless through five innings before ultimately allowing a lone run on Coby Mayo's two-out single in the sixth. The win is Lodolo's first since May 31 -- that was also the last time he went at least six innings in a start. While his workload had been limited of late, Lodolo has now allowed just one run across 15 innings in his last three outings. The southpaw has lowered his ERA to 4.68 across 11 starts (57.2 innings) this season with a 1.46 WHIP and 46:24 K:BB. Lodolo is tentatively in line to face the Cubs at home his next time out.
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Nolan Arenado 3B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Nolan Arenado: Given afternoon off
Arenado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
The freshly recalled Tim Tawa will draw the start at third base while Arenado rests for the series finale. Arenado will hit the bench for the first time since May 30, ending a streak of 31 consecutive starts.
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Sal Frelick RF | MIL
Brewers' Sal Frelick: Resting against lefty
Frelick is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
After making three consecutive starts, the left-handed-hitting Frelick will begin on the bench while Arizona sends southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez to the hill for the series finale. Jake Bauers will replace Frelick in right field and will bat fifth.
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Martin Perez SP | ATL
Braves' Martin Perez: Struck by comebacker
Perez was removed from Sunday's start against the Mets after being struck in the left arm by a 92-mph line drive off the bat of Juan Soto during the fifth inning, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.
The veteran left-hander struggled early Sunday, giving up five runs (four earned) across the first two frames before settling in. He retired the last nine batters he faced, including Soto, as Perez was able to gather the ball and throw to first base for the out before he was lifted from the game. Tyler Kinley escaped the fifth inning without further damage, but Perez still exited in line for the loss. He'll likely headed for X-rays as Atlanta looks to determine whether he sustained any structural damage to his arm.
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Tyler Freeman RF | COL
Rockies' Tyler Freeman: Heading to bench Sunday
Freeman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Freeman will hit the bench Sunday after he started in four of the previous five games while 2-for-13 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Though he's not fully locked in as an everyday player, Freeman should continue to handle at least a part-time role for the Rockies while he's maintained a serviceable .285/.376/.358 batting line (98 wRC+) versus right-handed pitching this season.
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Cole Carrigg CF | COL
Rockies' Cole Carrigg: Receiving afternoon off
Carrigg is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Carrigg will hit the bench for the series finale after he had started in the Rockies' past three games while going 5-for-11 with a home run, two triples, one walk, eight RBI and five runs. Jake McCarthy will receive the nod in center field Sunday, but Carrigg has likely solidified his spot as a near-everyday player in the Colorado lineup after producing a .951 OPS through his first 23 games in the big leagues.
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Willi Castro 2B | COL
Rockies' Willi Castro: Heading to bench again Sunday
Castro is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Castro will head to the bench for the second time in the series and for the fourth time in seven contests. Since busting out with a two-homer, seven-RBI effort June 14 against the Athletics, Castro is slashing .224/.286/.310 with a 31.7 percent strikeout rate over his subsequent 15 contests. Castro's lackluster production of late has opened the door for Edouard Julien and Kyle Karros to take on more playing time at second and third base, respectively.
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Eric Haase C | CHW
Giants' Eric Haase: Stuck in No. 2 role
Haase is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.
After Daniel Susac (back) landed on the 10-day injured list June 26, Haase looked to be next in line to serve as Giants' primary catcher. Instead, Drew Cavanaugh has ascended to the top of the depth chart since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento following Susac's move to the IL, while Haase has been stuck in the No. 2 role. Haase will be stuck on the bench for the fourth time in five games while Cavanaugh picks up another start behind the dish.