MLB Player News

Harper went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Monday's 8-7 loss to Miami.

Harper launched just his second homer of the month of July on Monday. He's struggled at the plate overall lately, hitting just .190 with the aforementioned two long balls, six doubles and nine RBI over his last 75 at-bats. That said, the All-Star first baseman is still maintaining strong season figures despite the slump, slashing .252/.359/.491 with 22 big flies, 63 RBI, six stolen bases and 64 runs scored across 451 plate appearances.

Thornton (2-1) earned the win over Atlanta on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.

Thornton struggled a bit out of the gate, allowing three first-inning singles, but a double play helped him escape with just one run on his ledger. The Mets' offense responded with a run in the bottom of that frame and went on to score 14 times, aiding the rookie righty in his second straight victory. Thornton continues to thrive despite not missing a ton of bats -- he had a modest nine whiffs and five punchouts, and he's compiled just 22 strikeouts across 29.2 innings on the campaign. That dents his fantasy appeal a bit, but Thornton has still been a really nice find so far, as he's recorded a 2.43 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through five MLB starts.

Duran (1-4) took the loss and blew the save Monday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on five hits in one-third of an inning.

The star closer exhibited signs of rust in his first save situation since July 11 in Detroit prior to the All-Star break, putting forth an uncharacteristic effort. Duran had last been scored upon June 9 in Toronto, which also marked his last blown save. With what's still an excellent 2.04 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 53:6 K:BB with 24 saves in 26 chances over 35.1 innings in 2026, however, Duran has established a very strong hold on the closing job and should continue to serve as Philadelphia's top ninth-inning weapon.

Phillips took a no-decision Monday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Phillips contained a formidable Philadelphia lineup Monday, settling down for four shutout innings after serving up a two-run home run to Bryce Harper in the opening frame. The Marlins continue to have fairly quick hooks for the 28-year-old right-hander, who hasn't reached the 80-pitch threshold in any of his five starts in July. Phillips will bring a 3.52 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and an alarming 63:38 K:BB over 84.1 innings into his next scheduled outing in New York against the last-place Mets.

Wheeler took a no-decision Monday against the Marlins, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out six.

It was easily the shortest outing of the year for Wheeler, who also turned in his shortest start since 2022. Not only was it also the first time he gave up at least five runs since May of last season, it was somewhat concerning to see the star right-hander's four-seam fastball average only 93.5 mph after it averaged 95.1 mph for the campaign entering Monday. Wheeler still has a fine 2.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 123:23 K:BB over 103 innings, and he'll be looking to flush Monday's dud his next time out in Baltimore.

Lowe went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI during the Pirates' 3-2 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Monday's game was a low-scoring affair, but Lowe put the Pirates on the board with an RBI single in the sixth inning before sending fans home happy with a walk-off RBI single in the 10th. He's tallied three hits in back-to-back games and six times this season, and it was also his 16th multi-RBI game of the year. Lowe is slashing .251/.319/.478 with one steal, 21 home runs and 67 RBI over 436 plate appearances this season.

Varland secured the save Monday against the Nationals, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Washington got the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base Monday, but Varland ultimately slammed the door for his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. The hard-throwing right-hander has been sublime since usurping Jeff Hoffman as Toronto's closer, successfully converting all 22 of his save opportunities this year. Through 53 innings, Varland boasts a 1.02 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72:14 K:BB to establish a strong grip on the closing gig.

Keller did not factor into Monday's decision against Arizona, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four across 5.1 innings.

Keller kept pace with Merrill Kelly in Monday's pitching duel before the former gave up the first runs of the game in the sixth on a Max Kepler double, though Keller came away with the no-decision after his Pirates teammates forced extra-innings. He's given up two earned runs or less in back-to-back starts and sports a 4.83 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB over 113.2 innings this season. Keller is lined up to face the Reds on the road this weekend.

Scherzer took a no-decision Monday against the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out four.

Making his return from a lengthy absence with back spasms and a thumb injury, Scherzer struggled to find his control Monday and also lacked efficiency. He threw 75 pitches (44 strikes) and still couldn't make it through three frames against one of his former teams, and Scherzer has now walked three batters in three consecutive starts while failing to work into the fifth inning in each. The 42-year-old right-hander appears to be on his last legs amidst an injury-plagued 2026 campaign, dragging a 9.49 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB over 24.2 frames into his next scheduled appearance at home against the Cardinals.

Kepler went 3-for-5 with a two-run double during Arizona's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.

Merrill Kelly and Mitch Keller were locked in a pitcher's duel, but Kepler was responsible for the first runs of the game with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning that plated two runs for the Diamondbacks. Kepler is slashing .235/.280/.397 with two home runs and 14 RBI across 75 plate appearances this season.