MLB Player News

Happ went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Twins. He also stole a base.

Happ was busy despite only recording the one hit. The veteran is up to 18 home runs this season, bringing him closer to his second straight 20-homer campaign. He also now has eight stolen bases, and he could reach double figures in that category for the second time in his career after swiping 14 bases in 2023. Happ isn't always the flashiest fantasy option, though he's been a steady performer once again in 2024, and he plays nearly every day.

Martinez earned the save in a 5-3 win over the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, working around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Martinez found himself in some trouble in the ninth before ultimately striking out Lane Thomas, who represented the go-ahead run, to seal a 5-3 Arizona victory. The 23-year-old Martinez has been entrusted with back-to-back save chances for the Diamondbacks and has delivered five consecutive scoreless appearances, allowing just two hits while striking out 11 in that span (five innings). Overall, the right-hander sports a 1.97 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 61:26 K:BB through 50.1 innings this season. Martinez could continue to see work in the closer's role alongside the likes of A.J. Puk and Ryan Thompson, with Paul Sewald working in lower-leverage situations.

Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Twins.

After going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in Monday's game against his hometown team, Busch ended the series on a high note. The first baseman clobbered his 16th home run of the season and fourth in his last 10 games. If he can stay healthy, Busch seems primed to reach the 20-homer plateau for the first time in his young career in what's been a nice debut campaign with the Cubs.

Lopez (2-2) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Wednesday against the Twins. He allowed two hits and struck out two.

After starter Javier Assad covered only four innings, Lopez swooped in for the win against his former team. The righty struggled with the Twins, Orioles and Marlins last season, and he was released by the Mets earlier this year, but he's seemingly found a home in Chicago. In 14 relief appearances for his new team, Lopez has turned in a sparkling 0.54 ERA and he's struck out 14 batters across 16.2 innings.

Profar was removed from Wednesday's game against the Pirates after getting hit in the knee by a pitch, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Profar took a 95-mph fastball off his right knee in the sixth inning. He was able to limp to first base and remained in the game after being examined by trainers, but the decision to pull him was made after he had a hard time running to second base on a Xander Bogaerts single. The severity of Profar's injury is still unknown, but Bryce Johnson could be in line to make a start in the outfield if the 31-year-old is forced to miss any amount of time.

Rodriguez (1-0) earned the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Guardians, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out one.

While he didn't have the strikeout pitch working Wednesday, Rodriguez was ultimately effective against a strong Cleveland lineup, making it through 5.2 innings on just 65 pitches. Rodriguez, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury since spring training, joined the Diamondbacks after pitching to a 3.30 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and 143 strikeouts in 26 starts with Detroit last season. The left-hander is tentatively lined up to face the Rockies at home early next week in his second outing.

Assad allowed two runs on three hits across four innings in Wednesday's start against the Twins. He walked two, struck out one and did not factor into the decision.

Assad was lifted after tossing 75 pitches, and for the second straight start, he covered just four innings, which didn't allow him to qualify for the win in a game the Cubs won 8-2. The righty was fairly effective while in the contest, though the Cubs seem to be watching his workload closely. Assad logged a career-high 109.1 innings last season, mostly as a long reliever. Now serving exclusively as a starter, the 27-year-old is up to 102.2 innings this year. Assad is penciled in to take the mound again next Wednesday against the Guardians, and his fantasy value will remain capped if he's unable to work deeper into games.

Edman (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City during the weekend, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Edman is slated to play in a simulated game Thursday to test his wrist in the field, and he'll head back out on a rehab assignment if all goes well. The 29-year-old infielder is expected to remain in the minors for at least a week in what will be his third separate rehab stint of the year.

Muncy (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City over the weekend, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Muncy will spend at least a week in Triple-A before returning to the Dodgers, putting his earliest possible return date sometime in mid-August. The slugging third baseman has been on the injured list since May 17 with a right oblique strain and only recently began making strides in his recovery after a chiropractor visit last week.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Graterol is dealing with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Graterol was initially believed to have suffered a Grade 3 strain during his outing Tuesday, but the Dodgers' skipper corrected his previous statements. The news gives the 25-year-old reliever a significantly greater chance of pitching again for the Dodgers this season, though it remains unclear how far he is from a return.