MLB Player News

Hayes went 0-for-2 with two walks, two stolen bases and one run scored in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

Hayes is still looking for his first extra-base hit since the All-Star break, and he's batting just .200 (7-for-35) over 10 games in that span. He made an impact with speed Monday, logging his first two steals since July 7. The third baseman has slumped to a .239/.293/.298 slash line with 10 steals, three home runs, 23 RBI, 33 runs scored and nine doubles over 81 contests this season.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

Grandal got the Pirates on the board with a sixth-inning solo shot. He's hit two of his four homers in July, going 6-for-29 (.207) over 10 contests this month. The catcher has a poor .184/.221/.319 slash line with 18 RBI, 12 runs scored and one stolen base over 150 plate appearances. Barring a drastic improvement in performance, Grandal figures to remain in the backup catcher role behind Joey Bart.

Taylor went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and a stolen base in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

Taylor put the Pirates ahead with his ninth-inning blast. The outfielder could be in line for extra playing time after Joshua Palacios (hamstring) and Ji Hwan Bae (knee) left Monday's contest early. For the season, Taylor has a .209/.269/.299 slash line, three homers, 17 RBI, 25 runs scored and nine steals over 212 plate appearances.

Bednar allowed a run on two hits and two walks over one inning, earning the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

Bednar had a three-run lead to protect, but he made things hairy. He allowed three straight batters to reach with one out, then walked Yordan Alvarez with the bases loaded and two outs. Yainer Diaz's popout ended the threat as Bednar escaped with his third save over five appearances since he returned from an oblique strain. The right-hander is 19-for-22 in save chances this year despite a 4.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

Skenes allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Monday.

The three walks were a season high for Skenes, who wasn't as quite in the zone as he has been for the better part of the last two months. The 22-year-old still recorded his eighth straight quality start. Skenes is at a 1.90 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 103:16 K:BB through 80.2 innings over 13 starts.

Murphy went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-3 loss to Milwaukee.

Murphy's playing time has been dropping in the second half -- he's gone just 3-for-15 with five walks over five games since the All-Star break. The catcher's homer came in garbage time Monday. He's up to six long balls, 13 RBI, 10 runs scored, three doubles and a .210/.295/.379 slash line through 38 contests this season. Until Murphy finds more consistency at the plate, Travis d'Arnaud will continue to eat into his playing time.

Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Monday's 8-3 loss to Milwaukee.

Ozuna has homered in three of the last four games, and he's hit 10 long balls over 23 contests in July. The designated hitter is up to 31 homers, 83 RBI, 66 runs scored, 20 doubles and a .306/.384/.596 slash line through 105 games this season. Atlanta's trade for Jorge Soler from San Francisco on Monday shouldn't have much of an effect on Ozuna, as Soler will likely be the one to pick up playing time in the outfield.

Holmes allowed a run on three hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over five innings in a no-decision versus Milwaukee on Monday.

Making his first career start, Holmes pitched well. The lone run on his line was a Rhys Hoskins solo shot in the fifth inning, the first homer Holmes has allowed in the majors. Operating mostly as a long reliever, he has a 2.54 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 29:5 K:BB through 11 appearances. The 28-year-old right-hander is not guaranteed to remain in the rotation, as Atlanta could trade for a starter or get Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) and Max Fried (forearm) back from their injuries in early August.

Hoskins went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Monday's 8-3 win over Atlanta.

Hoskins has tapped into his power with three homers over his last four games and seven long balls over 20 contests in July. The first baseman is at 18 homers on the year, but he's bounced back nicely after lacking in power in June. For the season, he's slashing .219/.309/.442 with 55 RBI, 35 runs scored, two stolen bases and nine doubles over 327 plate appearances.

Chourio went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 8-3 win over Atlanta.

Chourio has six multi-hit efforts and three homers over his last eight games, batting .424 (14-for-33) in that span. The outfielder's surge to start the second half has him up to a .262/.307/.424 slash line with 12 homers, 44 RBI, 46 runs scored and 12 stolen bases over 93 contests this season. Chourio's place in the lineup should be even safer over the final two months with Christian Yelich (back) having an uncertain timeline to return.