MLB Player News

Morton (5-6) took the loss Friday, coughing up seven runs (five earned) on six hits -- including three home runs -- on a walk over 2.2 innings in an 8-4 loss to the Mets. He struck out two.

After holding New York off the board through the first two frames, Morton fell apart in the third and served up a grand slam to J.D. Martinez, a two-run shot to Mark Vientos and a solo blast to Francisco Alvarez before getting the hook. It's the third time in four July starts the veteran right-hander has been taken deep multiple times, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 5.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB through 20.1 innings. Morton will try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come on the road next week in Milwaukee.

Duvall went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Mets.

The veteran outfielder gave Atlanta an early 2-0 lead when he took Kodai Senga (calf) deep in the second inning, before adding a solo shot in the ninth off Jake Diekman. Duvall has taken over the starting job in right field over the last month or so, but only because Atlanta hasn't found a better option -- in his last 20 games, he's slashing just .243/.282/.459 with four homers, nine RBI and a 4:22 BB:K. With Michael Harris (hamstring) due back in mid-August and the team likely to be active at the trade deadline, the clock on Duvall's starting stint could be ticking.

Fairchild entered Friday's game as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI in a 3-2 extra-inning win over the Rays.

Fairchild entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and was still in the game to deliver the game-winning run on a double in the top of the 10th. The winning knock came off a right-hander, against whom Fairchild is batting just .151 this season. His opportunities will take a hit with the return of TJ Friedl from the injured list, but Fairchild should be in the lineup anytime the Reds face a left-handed starter.

Winn went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's extra-inning loss to Washington.

Winn put the Cardinals on the board with a two-run shot in the third inning and later hit an RBI single in the fourth. The young shortstop has multiple hits in six of his last 10 games. However, he's now gone 16 consecutive contests without attempting a steal. Winn boosted his slash line to .285/.332/.410 with 28 extra-base hits and 36 RBI through 95 games.

Yepez went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's extra-inning win over St. Louis.

Yepez scored runs in the second and fourth innings before knocking an RBI double in the fifth. He also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to tie the game in the seventh and force the game to extras. Yepez had a 15-game hitting streak to begin his Nationals career before going 0-for-3 on Thursday. After his three-hit night Friday, he's now slashing .375/.423/.609 with 11 extra-base hits through 71 plate appearances.

Abrams went 1-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored, three stolen bases and two walks in Friday's extra-inning win against the Cardinals.

Abrams scored the game-tying run in the seventh inning after drawing a walk and stealing both second and third base. He later drove in Washington's 10th and final run on an infield hit. After a hot June, Abrams has dramatically cooled off in July. He owns a .586 OPS over 21 games this month. For the season, he's slashing .260/.335/.465 with 42 extra-base knocks and 19 steals.

Candelario went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over Tampa Bay.

Candelario wouldn't let two first-inning walks go to waste, as he plated both runners on a two-out double, giving the Reds an early lead. He's been most productive this season when Cincinnati has two outs, posting a .959 OPS with 11 home runs in those situations. Candelario is second on the club in home runs (16) and RBI (49).

Gore yielded six runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out three during the extra-inning win over St. Louis.

Most of the damage against Gore came during a disastrous third inning. He served up a two-run shot to Masyn Winn, and that was followed by a three-run blast from Nolan Arenado. After posting a terrific 2.91 ERA through the end of May, Gore has registered a 6.51 ERA since the start of June. He now owns a 4.51 ERA with a 121:43 K:BB through 105.2 innings this season. His next start is projected to be in Arizona.

Gray allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out seven during the extra-inning loss against Washington.

Gray gave up at least one run in three separate innings and never really settled in against the Nationals. He's given up at least three runs in five straight outings, posting a brutal 6.67 ERA during that span. On the bright side, he also turned in a strong 35:5 K:BB during those five starts. This rough patch has driven Gray's season ERA up from 2.81 to 3.79 across 111.2 frames. His next outing is lined up to be at home against Texas.

Friedl went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Rays.

Friedl made his latest return from the injured list Friday and, unexpectedly, slotted in at cleanup. After walking in his first plate appearance, he came home on a two-run double by Jeimer Candelario. Friedl normally leads off for the Reds and is expected to resume that role at some point. It's been a stop-and-start season for Friedl, whose three separate stints on the IL have likely contributed to a career-low .210 batting average.