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Carlos Rodriguez RP | MIL
Brewers' Carlos Rodriguez: Back in action at Triple-A
The Brewers reinstated Rodriguez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list July 12 and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville.
Rodriguez made one rehab appearance apiece in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and with Nashville before being assigned to the Triple-A affiliate when he was activated shortly before the All-Star break. After making a 2.2-inning start with Nashville immediately following his return from the IL on July 12, Rodriguez worked in relief during his first appearance of the second half Saturday, yielding four earned runs on two hits and three walks over one inning.
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Dane Myers CF | CIN
Reds' Dane Myers: Starts Saturday
Myers started in center field and went 0-for-3 with a walk in Saturday's 10-3 loss to Colorado.
Myers made his first start and second appearance since being activated from the injured list Friday. He got the start against a right-hander, which until recently has been TJ Friedl's assignment. The two will share center field while Blake Dunn (elbow) remains sidelined.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Operates at DH in win
Moreno served as the designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Cardinals.
Moreno moved to DH for the day, the first game after Lourdes Gurriel (thigh) was placed on the injured list. It behooves manager Torey Lovullo to get Moreno's bat in the lineup as much as possible, given that the catcher is lighting it up at the plate. Saturday's two-hit effort extended a hit streak to nine games, during which Moreno's had multiple hits in seven of them while going 16-for-34 (.471). The hot bat extends even further back, as Moreno's hit safely in 27 of his last 30 starts.
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Tim Tawa 1B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tim Tawa: Back at first base
Tawa started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 5-3 win over St. Louis.
Tawa was back at first base after manning center field Friday. He's started five of the last six games at first base -- a result of the team designating Pavin Smith for assignment -- but his versatility could take him elsewhere over the next several weeks. Two outfielders, Tommy Troy (shoulder) and Lourdes Gurriel (thigh), have landed on the injured list within the last few days.
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Esmerlyn Valdez RF | PIT
Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez: Another three RBI
Valdez went 2-for-8 with a two-run home run, a double and three RBI across both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.
Valdez made both of his hits count, as he swatted a two-run home run in the first game and then tallied an RBI double in the latter contest. He continues to turn in impressive performances, as he now has a six-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-24 with five home runs, 13 RBI and seven runs scored.
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Cole Carrigg CF | COL
Rockies' Cole Carrigg: Snaps out of slump
Carrigg went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, an RBI, a double and a walk Saturday against the Reds.
Carrigg entered Saturday's game having collected only one hit in his last 15 at-bats, but he turned things around in Colorado's win. Despite the slow stretch, he's carried the impressive start to his MLB career into July, tallying 12 RBI and 13 runs scored across 14 games. He's also hitting .325 in that span.
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Matthew Boyd SP | CHC
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Wins fourth straight start
Boyd (6-1) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 6-2 victory over the Twins. He struck out four.
The veteran southpaw won his fourth straight start and picked up his sixth straight winning decision since he took the loss Opening Day against the Nationals. Since returning from knee and shoulder issues in late June, Boyd has produced a 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over five outings and 28 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Pittsburgh.
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Mickey Moniak LF | COL
Rockies' Mickey Moniak: Drives in two
Moniak went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored Saturday against the Reds.
Moniak delivered separate RBI singles in the second and third innings to account for his production. He has been particularly reliant on Coors Field since coming off the injured list June 22, with nine of his 12 RBI, eight of his 10 runs scored and all three of his home runs coming in Colorado. Even with that caveat, Moniak is having a very strong year, delivering 15 home runs with 40 RBI while maintaining a .276 average across 235 plate appearances.
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Gregory Soto RP | PIT
Pirates' Gregory Soto: Blows fifth save Saturday
Soto blew his fifth save of the season in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing a hit and a walk in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.
With the Pirates trying to protect a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning, Soto was brought in to replace Brandon Eisert with one out and two men on. Instead of getting the job done, Soto let both inherited runners score on a wild pitch and a single. It's his third blown save since the beginning of June against five successful conversions, a stretch in which he's coughed up an 8.31 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 13 innings and put his spot as Pittsburgh's closer in significant jeopardy.
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Khristian Curtis RP | PIT
Pirates' Khristian Curtis: Works as bulk reliever in nightcap
Curtis didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.
The Pirates elected to use Mason Montgomery as an opener for the nightcap before handing the ball to Curtis as the bulk reliever for his big-league debut, and the 24-year-old right-hander turned in an impressive performance. Curtis tossed 42 of 68 pitches for strikes and left the mound with Pittsburgh ahead 3-0, only to see the bullpen melt down late and cost him the win. He's struggled somewhat in the minors this season, managing a 4.96 ERA across 74.1 innings between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, but his 97:40 K:BB highlights his potential if he can sort out his control issues. Now that he's on the 40-man roster and has shown he can get big-league hitters out, he could be on the short list to join the rotation if Pittsburgh has a vacancy.