MLB Player News

Merrill went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 7-6 win over Milwaukee on Thursday.

Merrill hit the second of back-to-back homers with Manny Machado in the first inning to give San Diego an early lead. The long ball was the second in as many days for Merrill, who has surged in the power department of late, with six of his nine homers on the campaign coming over his past eight games. All six of those long balls have been of the solo variety, but it's still a positive development for Merrill's fantasy managers after he went deep just three times over his first 68 games.

Cronenworth went 2-for-5 with a walk-off solo home run and an additional run in Thursday's 7-6 win against the Brewers.

Cronenworth became the latest ninth-inning hero for the Padres when he swatted a 401-foot solo blast to give the team its third straight walk-off win. The long ball was the 11th of the season through 74 games for the infielder, who has already surpassed his total of 10 homers over 127 contests last year. Cronenworth is on pace to exceed his career-best totals of 21 home runs and 71 RBI, which he established in 2021.

Estrada (3-1) blew a save but was credited with the win in Thursday's victory versus the Brewers. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over one inning.

Primary closer Robert Suarez had pitched on back-to-back days, so San Diego turned to Estrada with a two-run lead in the ninth inning, though the latter had taken the mound on consecutive days as well. Estrada couldn't close things out, giving up a pair of runs on a walk, a single, a wild pitch and a double. To his credit, the right-hander kept the game tied by striking out the final two batters he faced, and he ended up in the win column when Jake Cronenworth smacked a walk-off home run in the bottom of the frame. Though Estrada continues to rack up punchouts -- of his past 13 outs, 12 have come via strikeout -- he's been struggling of late, giving up eight runs on 10 hits and three walks over that span of five outings.

Hernandez went 3-for-5 with a double and a run Thursday in a 5-3 win against Colorado.

Hernandez departed in the seventh inning of Wednesday's matchup between the clubs, but manager Dave Roberts indicated afterward that the early exit was simply for rest reasons, and the outfielder's inclusion in Thursday's lineup seems to validate that claim. Hernandez certainly didn't appear bothered by any issues in the finale of the four-game set, as he recorded his fourth three-hit performance of the campaign. He's been swinging a hot bat over the past two weeks, slashing .321/.387/.732 with six homers, 16 RBI, 10 runs and a stolen base over his past 14 games.

Peterson will no longer start Sunday versus the Cubs after being pushed back in the Mets' rotation, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It's not clear when Peterson's next start will come, but it now figures to be early next week against the Yankees. Luis Severino has been bumped up to start Sunday in Chicago on regular rest.

Severino will move up in the Mets' rotation to start Sunday against the Cubs, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Severino had been slated to start Tuesday versus his former club, the Yankees, but will be bumped up a couple days to take the ball on regular rest. David Peterson had been on turn for Sunday but now figures to take the ball next week against the Yankees.

Ortiz is in line to serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Rays, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Carmen Mlodzinski will open for the Pirates before handing things off to Ortiz. Each of Ortiz's last two appearances have come in bulk relief and he's fared well, yielding just one run with a 6:1 K:BB over 9.1 innings of work.

Mlodzinski will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the Rays, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

It's the third opener assignment this season for Mlodzinski, who didn't allow a run in his first two tries. Luis Ortiz is a good bet to follow in a bulk-relief role.

Busch is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Mets.

The Mets are sending southpaw Jose Quintana to the bump, which means Busch will begin this one on the bench. Patrick Wisdom is getting the start at first base.

The Mets recalled Hudson from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old will join the Mets for this weekend's three-game set against the Cubs as Luis Torrens heads to the paternity list. Hudson hasn't seen action in the big leagues since 2020 and has appeared in just eight games across parts of three seasons.