MLB Player News

The Giants acquired Young from the Reds on Sunday in exchange for outfielder Austin Slater and cash considerations, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Young will return to the Giants organization after the team released him in November 2022. The left-hander appeared in three contests with the Reds earlier this season, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out two batters. Young has been lights out with Triple-A Louisville, producing a 1.19 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 22 punchouts over 22.2 innings in 23 appearances. He'll report to Triple-A Sacramento for the time being but may not have to wait long for a call-up to San Francisco.

The Reds acquired Slater and cash considerations from the Giants on Sunday in exchange for left-handed pitcher Alex Young, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Slater will head to Cincinnati after producing a disappointing .200/.330/.244 slash line with one home run, nine RBI, 12 runs scored and two stolen bases over 112 plate appearances in 43 games with the Giants this season. With Will Benson struggling to a .187/.275/.365 slash line while striking out 40.1 percent of his plate appearances on the season, Slater could be called on to replace him in Cincinnati's everyday outfield moving forward, or at least platoon with him. In addition to Benson's ongoing struggles, the Reds are woefully shorthanded in the outfield at the moment with Nick Martini (thumb) joining TJ Friedl (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Sunday and with Stuart Fairchild missing Sunday's loss to the Tigers with a back injury. Jake Fraley (personal) also remains on the family medical emergency list.

Hjelle (3-3) allowed three runs on four hits while striking out one and walking none over one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Guardians.

Hjelle has given up multiple runs in three of his last seven outings, taking two of his three losses this season in that span. The right-hander is now at a 3.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 46:6 K:BB through 44.2 innings while adding three holds. He sees very little high-leverage work as a multi-inning reliever, but his recent performance has offset his reliable control, as his groundball tendencies have led to too many hitters getting on base.

Conforto went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's loss to Cleveland.

Conforto opened the scoring with a two-run shot in the second inning and later brought home a run with an RBI groundout in the ninth. It was his first home run since June 26 and just the second over his last 25 appearances. Conforto is slashing .240/.306/.450 with 35 RBI and 26 extra-base hits through 67 games.

Birdsong did not factor in the decision during Sunday's loss to Cleveland. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while recording five strikeouts.

Birdsong kept the Guardians quiet until he coughed up a pair of runs in the fourth inning. He's recorded exactly five punchouts in each of his first three big-league starts and has yet to go deeper than five innings. Birdsong generated 13 swinging strikes, including five with his slider. He'll carry a 4.40 ERA into his next start, which is projected to be at home against the Twins.

Ashcraft (5-5) yielded a run on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against Detroit.

Ashcraft gave up just one run in the fourth inning but was still stuck with the loss as the Reds couldn't get much going against Tarik Skubal. Ashcraft has not completed six innings in an MLB start since May 1; since then, he's gone 2-4 with a brutal 6.54 ERA over nine appearances. He now owns a 5.24 ERA with a 57:27 K:BB through 77.1 innings. As of now, it's unclear if Ashcraft will get another turn in the rotation. If he does, he could be in line for a home matchup against the Marlins.

Burger went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer in Sunday's win over the White Sox.

Burger was 0-for-4 with a pair of punchouts before he belted a three-run shot to win the game in the ninth inning. He's gone deep three times in his last 10 games after halting his 11-game drought. On the year, Burger owns a disappointing .216/.256/.356 slash line with nine home runs and 31 RBI through 68 games.

Cabrera yielded two runs on four hits and a walk in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out four during Miami's win over the White Sox.

Cabrera made his first MLB appearance since May 7 after a two-month stint on the IL due to a shoulder issue. He looked solid through three scoreless frames before coughing up a two-run homer to Danny Mendick in the fourth inning. Cabrera walked just one batter but struggled to command the strike zone, throwing just 47 of 82 pitches for strikes. He's now sporting a 6.84 ERA with a 35:15 K:BB through 25 innings. Cabrera's next outing is projected to be in Cincinnati.

Arenado went 2-for-5 with two RBI in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Nationals.

Arenado continued his hot stretch at the plate with his third consecutive game of two or more hits. It's the second time this season he's put together a streak of three straight multi-hit efforts, each of which has come over his last 22 appearances. He also picked up an RBI in consecutive games after a stretch during which he had only two RBI in his last 14 games. The veteran's slash line sits at a solid .270/.322/.379 but a lack of homers -- seven so far -- has stunted his fantasy value.

Burleson went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Nationals.

Burleson has notched multiple hits in three of his last six games. He's also stolen two bases in his last three games and five over his last 15. The 25-year-old's impressive first half has been a key factor in the Cardinals' turnaround, as he's settled into the second spot in the lineup. Burleson is hitting .281/.318/.455 with 13 home runs and 42 RBI over 82 games.