MLB Player News

Perez (1-5) allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Perez gave up two runs in the first inning, and his start was punctuated by a Rhys Hoskins solo home run in the fifth. Consistency has been an issue for Perez since he returned from a groin injury -- he's given up 12 runs over 16 innings since his return, though he's allowed just two homers over three starts in that span. The veteran southpaw is at a 5.15 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 57:25 K:BB through 73.1 innings over 14 starts this season.

Nootbaar went 2-for-8 with a solo home run, an additional run and a double Wednesday across both games of a doubleheader against Kansas City.

Nootbaar was a quiet 0-for-4 in Game 1 but came to life with a solo homer and a double in the nightcap. These were his second and third games since the outfielder returned from a nearly six-week-long absence due to a strained oblique. Nootbar has started each of the Cardinals' three games (twice in right field and once in center) since his return, so he seems to be locked into a near-everyday spot in the team's lineup.

Burleson went 2-for-8 with a home run, a double, two runs and three RBI over both games of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Royals.

Burleson smashed a two-run homer in Game 1 and added an RBI double in the nightcap. He's reached base via hit or walk in 10 straight contests, batting .317 (13-for-41) with three homers, 11 RBI and two thefts over that span. Burleson is in the midst of a breakthrough campaign, slashing .282/.318/.472 with 15 home runs, 48 RBI, 38 runs and seven steals through 322 plate appearances.

Hoeing (0-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over three innings to take the loss versus the Astros on Wednesday.

Hoeing completed three innings again, but the Astros established a large lead after the second frame. The 27-year-old has taken the loss in both of his starts since joining the Marlins' rotation, and he's not fully stretched out after throwing just 62 pitches (39 strikes) Wednesday. He's at a 3.16 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB through 25.2 innings over 13 appearances, though he's had more success as a reliever. It's unclear if Hoeing will remain in the rotation following the All-Star break.

Graceffo dropped to 0-1 in the Cardinals' 8-5 loss to the Royals in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.

Graceffo tossed 4.1 frames and gave up just one run in his major-league debut June 29, but he worked in long relief in that outing. The right-hander wasn't as effective Wednesday in his first big-league start, though he yielded just one run on two hits through three innings. Kansas City notched back-to-back hits against Graceffo to begin the fourth, however, and he was pulled after a sacrifice fly yielded the Royals' second run. Another tally was charged to his ledger after his departure, and the Cardinals were never able to take the rookie off the hook for the loss. Graceffo served as the team's 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll likely be headed back to Triple-A Memphis in short order.

Marte went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.

This was Marte's first multi-hit effort since his season debut June 27. The infielder is batting just .176 with one home run, six RBI, eight runs scored, two doubles and two stolen bases over 54 plate appearances. Marte is likely still working some things out on the fly after opening the year with an 80-game suspension, but he continues to see consistent playing time at third base amid his struggles.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.

Stephenson has feasted on Colorado pitching, going 6-for-13 with five extra-base hits over the first three games of this week's series. Prior to Tuesday, he had gone 22 games without a multi-hit effort. The catcher is now at a .245/.318/.425 slash line with eight homers, 29 RBI, 34 runs scored, 16 doubles and one stolen base over 75 contests.

Pallante (4-4) took the loss against Kansas City in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.

Pallante cruised through four scoreless, one-hit frames before the Royals struck for three runs on four hits in the fifth. The right-hander was allowed to return for the sixth but was pulled after giving up a tiebreaking solo homer to Salvador Perez with one out. Pallante was consequently stuck with the loss, as St. Louis was unable to catch up. Despite the defeat, Pallante recorded his second-longest outing of the campaign while recording exactly five punchouts for his fourth straight appearance.

Ortiz (neck) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Neck inflammation has kept Ortiz on the injured list since July 3, though his neck issues can be traced back to late June. The Brewers haven't officially stated how many games they plan on having the third baseman play in the minors, though the fact he's headed to High-A Wisconsin may indicate the team wants to keep him nearby for activation once he's eligible to return from the IL on Friday.

India went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.

India was scratched with a left knee contusion Tuesday, and he returned in a non-defensive role as the designated hitter Wednesday. The homer was his second in July, though he's batting just .194 (6-for-31) with three RBI this month. Overall, the second baseman is at a .269/.369/.411 slash line with seven homers, 37 RBI, 44 runs scored, eight stolen bases, 19 doubles and one triple through 350 plate appearances this season.