MLB Player News

Phillips took a no-decision Monday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Phillips contained a formidable Philadelphia lineup Monday, settling down for four shutout innings after serving up a two-run home run to Bryce Harper in the opening frame. The Marlins continue to have fairly quick hooks for the 28-year-old right-hander, who hasn't reached the 80-pitch threshold in any of his five starts in July. Phillips will bring a 3.52 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and an alarming 63:38 K:BB over 84.1 innings into his next scheduled outing in New York against the last-place Mets.

Wheeler took a no-decision Monday against the Marlins, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out six.

It was easily the shortest outing of the year for Wheeler, who also turned in his shortest start since 2022. Not only was it also the first time he gave up at least five runs since May of last season, it was somewhat concerning to see the star right-hander's four-seam fastball average only 93.5 mph after it averaged 95.1 mph for the campaign entering Monday. Wheeler still has a fine 2.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 123:23 K:BB over 103 innings, and he'll be looking to flush Monday's dud his next time out in Baltimore.

Lowe went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI during the Pirates' 3-2 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Monday's game was a low-scoring affair, but Lowe put the Pirates on the board with an RBI single in the sixth inning before sending fans home happy with a walk-off RBI single in the 10th. He's tallied three hits in back-to-back games and six times this season, and it was also his 16th multi-RBI game of the year. Lowe is slashing .251/.319/.478 with one steal, 21 home runs and 67 RBI over 436 plate appearances this season.

Keller did not factor into Monday's decision against Arizona, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four across 5.1 innings.

Keller kept pace with Merrill Kelly in Monday's pitching duel before the former gave up the first runs of the game in the sixth on a Max Kepler double, though Keller came away with the no-decision after his Pirates teammates forced extra-innings. He's given up two earned runs or less in back-to-back starts and sports a 4.83 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB over 113.2 innings this season. Keller is lined up to face the Reds on the road this weekend.

Kepler went 3-for-5 with a two-run double during Arizona's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.

Merrill Kelly and Mitch Keller were locked in a pitcher's duel, but Kepler was responsible for the first runs of the game with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning that plated two runs for the Diamondbacks. Kepler is slashing .235/.280/.397 with two home runs and 14 RBI across 75 plate appearances this season.

Kelly did not factor into Monday's decision against the Pirates, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six across 5.2 innings.

The only run Kelly allowed Monday was unearned, though it was his doing on a pickoff error to first, leading to Jake Mangum scoring on a Brandon Lowe single. It was the first time in 19 starts this season that Kelly did not yield an earned run, and his six punchouts tied a season high that he set three times prior to Monday's game. He'll take a 4.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 109.1 innings into his next start, which is slated for this weekend on the road against the Guardians.

The Nationals optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Rochester following Monday's 3-2 loss to Toronto. He allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings in bulk relief.

Alvarez put together a strong performance out of the bullpen, managing to keep his club in the ballgame after opener Eddy Yean allowed a pair of runs. However, the left-hander didn't show enough to keep his place on the big-league roster. Jake Irvin (shoulder) is nearing a return from the 60-day injured list and could slot into the fifth spot in the rotation the next time Alvarez's turn comes up.

Schmitt left Monday's game against the Brewers due to an apparent lower-body injury, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Schmitt looped a single into right field in the bottom of the second inning, but he looked to twist either his left knee or left ankle while putting on the brakes around first base. Christian Koss entered the game to pinch run for Schmitt, who wasn't able to put much weight on his left leg on his way off the diamond. The club should have another update on Schmitt's injury after sending him for further evaluation.

Hartshorn is slashing .283/.378/.533 with 11 home runs across 49 games since getting promoted to High-A South Bend earlier this season.

Hartshorn was playing well for Single-A Myrtle Beach to start the season, sporting an .884 OPS and blasting five home runs across 39 games. However, the 19-year-old has taken things to another level since his promotion to South Bend back on May 26. Hartshorn is showing off the power potential that makes him an intriguing prospect, and he could continue to climb quickly through Chicago's organization in the next few years if he keeps swinging the bat like this.

Through 85 games with Double-A Knoxville, Rojas is slashing .269/.335/.464 with 14 stolen bases, 15 home runs and 57 RBI.

Rojas made the jump from High-A to Double-A in 2025 as a 20-year-old, and he had some growing pains at the higher level, finishing with a .164 batting average and .484 OPS in 39 games. It's been a different story for the talented youngster this season, as he's showing off a dynamic mix of power and speed, and he's already set new professional bests in home runs and RBI. Rojas is probably still a year or two away from the majors, but the top prospect is flashing his potential and could earn a promotion to Triple-A at some point.