MLB Player News

Yastrzemski went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the Nationals.

Making the start in left field and batting eighth, Yastrzemski tied the game at 3-3 when he got hold of a hanging curveball from Jake Irvin in the fifth inning and drove it into the right-field seats. Yastrzemski hadn't gone yard since July 9, but he'd seen just 20 plate appearances in nine games between homers as he tries to hang onto a consistent spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching. Through 54 PAs in July, the 35-year-old has managed a .239/.333/.478 slash line with three of his seven home runs on the season, and 11 of his 30 RBI.

The Cubs recalled Kelly from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Kelly has logged a 4.02 ERA and 44:26 K:BB over 40.1 frames at the Triple-A level this season. The left-hander was acquired via trade from the Dodgers in June and will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

Mederos (1-0) was credited with the win Thursday over the Nationals, giving up one run on one hit and one walk in one inning of relief. He didn't strike out a batter.

The 25-year-old right-hander got the final out of the sixth inning, making him the pitcher of record when Atlanta broke a 3-3 tie with two runs in the bottom of the frame, but Mederos nearly handed the lead back in the top of the seventh by walking James Wood and then serving up a triple to Luis Garcia. It was his first career victory in the big leagues, and over nine appearances and 13.1 innings this season he's put together a 4.05 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB while mainly working in a low-leverage role.

The Cubs placed Hollowell on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hollowell tossed a scoreless frame in Thursday's win over the Cardinals, but he evidently didn't bounce back well from the outing. Antoine Kelly will grab Hollowell's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Acuna went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's win over the Nationals.

The fourth-inning long ball off Jake Irvin was Acuna's first in four games since being activated from the IL, and just his second hit in 16 plate appearances. Injuries have limited the 28-year-old outfielder to just 57 contests this season, and Acuna has managed eight homers and 15 steals on the year with a tepid .244/.365/.416 slash line. There's still time for him to put together a big finish to his campaign, but he'll need to stay in the lineup to build any momentum.

The Phillies will recall Painter from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to pitch Friday in Baltimore, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear whether it will be a traditional start or some other arrangement, but the 23-year-old will get another chance in the majors. Painter was sent down to Triple-A in mid-June after logging a 7.06 ERA in 65 innings for the Phillies. He's pitched well in four of five outings at Lehigh Valley though, and he's allowed three runs with a 14:1 K:BB across 11 frames in his last two starts.

Leclerc (shoulder) struck out a batter and allowed two earned runs on three hits and no walks in an inning of relief Wednesday for Double-A San Antonio after being assigned to the affiliate when he was activated from Triple-A El Paso's 60-day injured list.

Leclerc had spent all season on El Paso's IL while completing his recovery from right shoulder surgery, which he underwent last July. The veteran reliever was cleared to begin a rehab assignment July 3 and was sent to San Antonio after he turned in a 2.16 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB in 8.1 innings over eight appearances between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and High-A Fort Wayne. Leclerc should eventually move into a bullpen role at Triple-A once he knocks off some more rust at San Antonio.

Vasquez covered 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Giants, striking out a batter while allowing three hits and one walk.

Vasquez got the start in his previous appearance but worked in tandem with JP Sears, pitching the first 2.2 innings before the lefty came on to cover the next 3.1 frames. The two essentially swapped roles Thursday, with Sears starting and yielding three earned runs over 3.2 innings before Vasquez entered in the top of the fifth to mop up. Sears and Vasquez may end up piggybacking again the next time through the rotation Tuesday in Arizona, though the makeup of the San Diego pitching staff could change by Monday's trade deadline.

Marquez is likely to work multiple innings in relief behind opener Bradgley Rodriguez in Friday's game against the Giants, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Rodriguez has covered exactly one inning in each of his previous three starts this season, so he'll likely be in line to work the opening frame again Friday before the Padres turn the game over to the bullpen. Marquez will be available on six days' rest and should be capable of providing some length after starting each of his last four appearances. He went 1-0 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in 14.1 innings during that stretch.

De La Cruz went 3-for-4 with a walk, three doubles, two steals, an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

De La Cruz, who scored the game-winning run on a walk-off fielder's choice, filled the box score like he's done many times before. The multi-hit effort was his third in the last five games, and the two steals upped his total to 20, the fourth consecutive season with at least 20 thefts. Since the All-Star break, De La Cruz has posted a slash line of .308/.400/.577 with with eight walks, three doubles, one triple, three home runs, four RBI and six steals over 13 games.