MLB Player News

Valdez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI on Sunday against the Cubs.

Valdez continued to power the Pirates' offense, first delivering a solo home run in the second inning and then an RBI single three frames later. He continues to have an extreme boom-or-bust profile, as he's struck out at a 38.9 percent clip since the start of July. On the other hand, he has eight home runs, 24 RBI and 16 runs scored across 20 games in that span.

Wood went 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and a walk in Sunday's 10-7 win over the Diamondbacks.

It was Wood's fifth career multi-homer game and his first of the season. The All-Star outfielder has been sensational in July, batting .311 with nine big flies, four doubles, one triple, 20 RBI and 18 walks over 74 at-bats on the month. He's been a five-category superstar all season, slashing .271/.396/.557 with 30 long balls, 72 RBI, 15 stolen bases and an MLB-high 96 runs scored across 498 plate appearances.

O'Hearn went 1-for-2 with a grand slam, two walks and two runs scored Sunday against the Cubs.

O'Hearn broke the game open with a grand slam in the third inning, his 17th home run of the season. He's now matched his career-best homer total -- previously set in 2025 -- but he's reached the mark in 169 fewer plate appearances in the current campaign. However, O'Hearn has slumped for much of July, and he's gone only 6-for-31 since the All-Star break.

Beeter secured the save Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning.

Beeter was shaky Sunday but did help put out a fire started by Matt Krook, who walked three batters in the ninth without recording an out. Beeter remains the favorite for saves in Washington's much-maligned bullpen, but his job security is as low as any closer in the major leagues. Through 31.2 innings, the right-hander has a 3.69 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a concerning 33:20 K:BB with 10 saves in 15 opportunities.

The Mets promoted Santucci from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, 2TheBigs.com reports.

Santucci will move up a rung on the minor-league ladder after turning in a 3.57 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 120:45 K:B over 90.2 innings in 19 starts with Binghamton. Considered one of the Mets' top overall prospects, the 23-year-old southpaw could have an outside shot at making his major-league debut later in 2026, as the organization hasn't been overly shy about promoting its top arms in recent years.

Drake took a no-decision Sunday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in four-plus innings. He struck out one.

Drake wasn't able to replicate the results from his big-league debut Tuesday versus the Athletics, when he fired five innings of one-run ball. The rookie left-hander served up a pair of home runs Sunday, and he was unable to record an out in the fifth frame. Drake is helping plug up Arizona's injury-riddled rotation for the time being, but he might get only one more turn next weekend in Cleveland if Michael Soroka (glute) is ready to return in early August.

Miller earned the save Sunday against the Marlins, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Miller was unsurprisingly called upon to protect a two-run lead and retired Miami in order on 15 pitches (eight strikes). The right-hander has now tossed eight consecutive scoreless appearances while racking up 14 strikeouts during that stretch. Miller continues to dominate in the closer's role, posting a 0.82 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 80:27 K:BB across 43.2 innings while leading the National League with 27 saves.

Mikolas took a no-decision Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out four.

Mikolas rejoined the rotation following a pair of outings as a long reliever, but the shift in role didn't yield better results Sunday. The 37-year-old right-hander has had a hard time putting batters away all year long -- he's yet to exceed four strikeouts in any of his 22 appearances and remains without a single quality start. Mikolas is unlikely to carry much fantasy appeal his next time out in Atlanta, where he'll bring a 5.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 102 innings.

Junk did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Padres, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out six over 4.2 innings.

Junk threw 55 of his 75 pitches for strikes and matched his season high with six strikeouts despite generating only four whiffs. He was one strike away from completing five scoreless innings before Manny Machado ripped an RBI double in the fifth, ending both the shutout and Junk's outing. Through three starts since returning from a right shin injury, the right-hander has allowed nine runs (eight earned) across 13.2 innings. Junk owns a 4.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 57:20 K:BB over 73.2 innings this season and is scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Mets.

Manager Tony Vitello said Sunday that Chapman (abdomen) is still without a target date for his return from the 10-day injured list, which suggests that the veteran third baseman won't be activated before the Giants' homestand ends Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Earlier in the week, Vitello left the door open for Chapman to return at some point during the Giants' six-game homestand that began Friday, but the five-time Gold Glove Award winner looks like he'll require some additional time to fully heal from the abdominal strain that sent him to the shelf July 1. On a positive note, Chapman is said to be making good progress in his recovery, as he took batting practice Friday and also ran the bases over the weekend, per MLB.com. Until Chapman is ready to return, Casey Schmitt will continue to hold down the fort at third base.