MLB Player News

Winker went 2-for-4 with a homer, a double and two RBI in Friday's 5-2 win versus Milwaukee.

The Washington designated hitter cracked an RBI double in the first inning to open the game's scoring. Winker later laced a 403-foot solo shot off Freddy Peralta in the fifth inning to extend the Nats' lead to 4-2. The 30-year-old Winker has enjoyed a wonderful first half so far, hitting .260 with 11 homers, 12 steals, 47 runs scored and 43 RBI across 292 at-bats.

Little was removed from Friday's game against the Cardinals due to shoulder discomfort, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Little was only able to throw four pitches and didn't retire a batter before his shoulder forced him to make an early exit. The Cubs haven't offered any information regarding the seriousness of the southpaw's injury, and there's no telling whether he'll be available to pitch again before the All-Star break.

Finnegan picked up the save in Friday's 5-2 win against the Brewers, pitching a clean inning with two strikeouts.

The Nationals closer promptly retired all three batters he faced for his 24th save, good for second in the National League behind Ryan Helsley. This straightforward save was a welcome sight for Finnegan after he yielded three runs across his two previous outings. The Washington righty sports a 2.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB over 39.1 innings while going 24-for-28 in save chances.

Rutledge did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-2 win over Milwaukee, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

Despite pitching to a 6.66 ERA across 71.2 innings at Triple-A Rochester, the 25-year-old held his own in his first major-league start of the season. Rutledge heavily relied upon a sinker that averaged 95.0 mph, generating 10 whiffs en route to his six punchouts. The Washington right-hander should garner at least one more start post-All-Star break as DJ Herz was demoted July 8 and isn't eligible to return to the big leagues until July 23.

Peralta (6-5) took the loss Friday against Washington, allowing four runs on 10 hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out six.

The Milwaukee right-hander entered this contest on a roll, pitching to a 2.45 ERA across 22 innings in his last four starts. However, Peralta wound up allowing double-digit hits for the second time this season as the Nationals cracked four extra-base hits -- three doubles and one homer. The 28-year-old finishes the first half with a 4.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 130:36 K:BB over 103 innings. He should line up to make his next start in the Brewers' first series after the All-Star break at Minnesota.

Hudson earned the save against the Tigers on Friday, walking two and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Dodgers deployed closer Evan Phillips in the sixth inning, ensuring he would get some work after he hadn't pitched since July 6, so Hudson was called upon to protect a 4-3 lead in the ninth and did so despite throwing just 10 strikes on 25 pitches. This was Hudson's first save since May 20, as Alex Vesia likely would have worked the ninth had he been available Friday. On the year, Hudson owns four saves and 13 holds with a 1.63 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 42:7 K:BB over 38.2 innings.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.

Freeman hit a solo home run off Tarik Skubal in the fourth inning and added a single in the eighth. He went 0-for-10 in a tough series against the Phillies but rebounded with his fourth multi-hit effort in 10 July games. On the season, the eight-time All-Star is hitting .294 with 14 homers, 59 RBI, 56 runs scored and four steals across 415 plate appearances.

Paxton did not factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 win against the Tigers, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks with one strikeout over 3.2 innings.

Paxton yielded three runs over the first two innings and was pulled with two outs in the fourth at 81 pitches. The southpaw's velocity was over one mph below his season averages on all of his offerings, and he has now failed to pitch beyond the fifth inning in each of his past four outings. He will take a 4.38 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 57:44 K:BB across 84.1 innings into the All-Star break.

Hinds went 1-for-3 with a grand slam, a walk and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-4 win over the Marlins.

Hinds continued an incredible start to his career, taking Yonny Chirinos deep in the third inning to extend Cincinnati's lead to 7-0. The 23-year-old Hinds is now 9-for-19 with three homers, eight RBI, four runs scored and two stolen bases. While his current pace at the plate certainly isn't sustainable, Hinds has earned a regular role with Stuart Fairchild (back), TJ Friedl (hamstring) and Nick Martini (thumb) all on the IL.

Chirinos (0-1) took the loss Friday against the Reds, allowing seven runs on eight hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out one.

He served up three homers through the first three innings, including a Rece Hinds grand slam in the third. It's the first loss in five starts this year for Chirinos, but he hadn't allowed more than three runs in an outing prior to Friday. The 30-year-old right-hander's ERA is now up to 5.76 with a 1.72 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 25 innings. Despite those numbers, Chirinos is expected to remain in the Marlins' injury-ravaged rotation following the All-Star break.