MLB Player News

Hoerner went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rays.

The infielder came up clutch for Chicago, driving in three of the team's four runs, beginning with an RBI single in the first inning to score leadoff-man Michael Busch. Hoerner later delivered the decisive blow in the seventh, lacing a two-run double that gave the Cubs a lead they wouldn't surrender. The 28-year-old has been a steady force at the plate of late, recording hits in 18 of his last 21 games, including 10 multi-hit efforts. Over that span, Hoerner is batting .354 with 10 RBI, 16 runs scored, nine doubles and four stolen bases across 91 plate appearances.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision against the Rays on Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out nine over five innings.

The left-hander got off to a rough start, surrendering back-to-back solo homers to Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero to open the game before giving up another run on a two-out bunt in the third. Though he labored through a 31-pitch first inning and surpassed 60 pitches by the third, Imanaga was able to regroup, finding his command and striking out nine -- tying his season high -- while blanking Tampa Bay over his final two frames. Home runs remain a concern for the 32-year-old, who allowed 27 last season and has given up 26 this year through 39 fewer innings. Imanaga will carry a 3.29 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 110:23 K:BB across 134 innings into his next scheduled start against the Reds.

Whisenhunt (back) is expected to throw a couple innings in a rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Whisenhunt was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 31 due to a back strain but won't require a lengthy stay on the shelf. After completing a bullpen session Sunday that incorporated all of his pitches, Whisenhunt will make an abbreviated rehab appearance Tuesday before potentially rejoining the Giants next weekend. San Francisco has been getting by of late with Kai-Wei Teng and Carson Seymour as its back-end starters, but Whisenhunt could replace either pitcher in the rotation once he's activated.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Stewart (shoulder) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment this week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Acquired from the Twins on July 31, Stewart made just four appearances for the Dodgers before landing on the injured list Aug. 12 due to right shoulder inflammation. He'll likely need to make at least a couple of rehab appearances in the minors before potentially slotting back into the Los Angeles bullpen during the final week of the regular season.

McLean did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning win over Texas. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings.

McLean worked around a few light threats to deliver another stellar performance. He's given up two or fewer runs in each of his first six career MLB outings, with four of those being quality starts. The only criticism at the moment would be the eight walks he's issued over his last 17.1 frames. McLean now owns a terrific 1.19 ERA with a 40:12 K:BB through 37.2 innings. He's lined up for a nice home matchup against Washington next weekend.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and a walk in Sunday's extra-inning win over Texas.

Alonso was 0-for-3 with a walk before delivering a walk-off, three-run shot in the 10th inning. It was his 34th long ball of the year and snapped a 10-game homerless drought. He posted a .604 OPS despite three multi-hit performances during that 10-game span. Alonso is now slashing .266/.342/.510 with 72 extra-base hits and 117 RBI through 657 plate appearances.

McCann went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Sunday's 6-4 victory at Minnesota.

The veteran backstop gave his team a 4-2 lead with a 407-foot, three-run blast off Twins starter Bailey Ober in the fourth. McCann is playing sparingly in a backup role with the Diamondbacks, slashing .258/.330/.423 with four homers, 15 runs scored and 13 RBI across 109 plate appearances this season. Unless anything happens to Adrian Del Castillo or Gabriel Moreno, the 35-year-old is not fantasy relevant.

Backhus pitched a scoreless third of an inning, conceding a walk and a hit-by-pitch before collecting the save in Sunday's 6-4 victory over Minnesota.

Backhus entered in relief of Ryan Thompson to face the left-handed Kody Clemens with two outs and a runner on. The Arizona southpaw then walked Clemens and hit Luke Keaschall with a pitch to load the bases. Backhus finally completed his task by inducing a Matt Wallner flyout on his 13th pitch. The 27-year-old has pitched to a 4.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 25.1 total frames this season. Even with the Diamondbacks bullpen being a mess, Backhus is likely to remain in a middle-relief role.

Senga is expected to make another start at Triple-A Syracuse during the upcoming week, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report.

After accepting a demotion to the minors Sept. 5 following a string of poor outings, Senga shined in his first start with Syracuse this past Friday, striking out eight batters over six innings while allowing one earned run on three hits and no walks. Unless the Mets place a player on a reserve list and recall Senga in a corresponding move, however, the right-hander won't be eligible to join the big club until Sept. 20. With that in mind, he'll stick around at Triple-A and will presumably stay on his typical five days' rest schedule to make his next start Thursday. If all goes well in that outing, Senga will likely rejoin the Mets for the final week of the regular season, but his exact role remains in flux. The Mets are already planning on using Sean Manaea in a piggyback role behind starter Clay Holmes on Tuesday against the Padres as the team transitions from a six-man rotation to a five-man setup during the upcoming week, and Senga could be deployed in a similar capacity as Manaea upon his return to the big club. Rookie Jonah Tong has struggled with both his command and control in his last two starts and may benefit from being used in a tandem when Senga is recalled, if Senga doesn't replace Tong in the rotation outright.

Crismatt collected the win in Sunday's 6-4 victory at Minnesota, allowing two runs (both unearned) on three hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The Colombian righty generated a solid 12 whiffs out of his 83 total pitches, as he lowered his ERA from 3.24 to 2.70 with this appearance. Both unearned runs scored in the second when the Arizona defense produced two errors in a sloppy inning. In 30 total innings, Crismatt has been a surprisingly solid arm, pitching to a 3.85 FIP, 1.27 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB, providing great production for a depleted Diamondbacks staff. He currently projects to make his next start at home against the Phillies next weekend if he sticks in the rotation.