MLB Player News

Tolle (4-6) took the loss Wednesday as the Red Sox were routed 10-2 by the Nationals, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over three-plus innings. He struck out five.

Four of the hits off Tolle went for extra bases, including a first-inning homer by Andres Chaparro and a fourth-inning blast by Nasim Nunez -- with both long balls being their first of the season. It's the first time since May 28 that the southpaw has failed to last at least five innings, and Wednesday's outing was his shortest of the year. Tolle will take a 3.39 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 74:23 K:BB through 74.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the White Sox.

McGonigle went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 6-2, extra-innings win over the Yankees.

After batting .277 with three home runs in June, McGonigle started off July on a strong note with another long ball. The rookie's power is trending upward, as he went deep just three time across his first 58 games of the year but has needed only 26 contests to record his last four homers. McGonigle has also tallied 11 steals with a .282/.391/.424 slash line in 373 plate appearances this year.

Wood went 2-for-4 with two walks, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 10-2 rout of the Red Sox.

The star outfielder wrapped up the scoring for the Nationals by taking Alec Gamboa deep in the seventh inning, giving Wood his 22nd homer of the season. The star outfielder went 13 straight games without going yard in the second half of June, but Wood's bat could be heating back up -- over his last six games he's gone 8-for-24 (.333) with two doubles, two home runs and six RBI.

Wicks allowed one run on five hits across three innings of relief to earn the save in Wednesday's 23-3 win over the Padres. He struck out two.

Wicks certainly had a big enough cushion to work with, and he finished off the rout for his second save in the last four days. The lefty isn't necessarily Chicago's top option for saves, as his last one came after the team had already gone through six pitchers in an extra-inning contest, and Wednesday was simply mop-up duty. Wicks should settle in as a middle-relief option most days, which limits his general fantasy appeal.

Chaparro went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Red Sox.

Getting the start at first base and batting third against left-hander Payton Tolle, Chaparro gave the Nationals a quick lead when he launched a 95.3-mph fastball over the Green Monster in the first inning. It was his first long ball of the season, but even with that showing, he was replaced by pinch hitter Luis Garcia once Tolle was out of the game. Chaparro appears stuck in a short-side platoon role, and through 26 big-league games this season, he's slashing just .170/.328/.298.

Alvarez (2-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two hits and a walk over 4.2 scoreless relief innings in a 10-2 rout of the Red Sox. He struck out six.

Entering the game in the third inning with the Nationals already up 2-0 after Brad Lord recorded the first seven outs as the opener, Alvarez kept the shutout going while tossing 74 pitches (46 strikes) in bulk relief. The 27-year-old southpaw has given up two runs or fewer in six straight trips to the mound since the beginning of June, producing a 2.45 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB across 25.2 innings during that stingy stretch. His next outing is set to come at home early next week against the Astros.

The Nationals transferred Parker (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Parker is likely to undergo Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 UCL sprain in his left elbow, so the Nationals will stash him away on the 60-day IL for the rest of the season. The move creates space on the 40-man roster for Kyle Nicolas, who was acquired from Baltimore on Wednesday.

The Nationals traded Diaz to the Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for Kyle Nicolas.

Diaz has spent the entire season at High-A Wilmington, slashing .253/.360/.406 with five homers, 31 RBI, 28 runs and 13 steals through 200 plate appearances. The 23-year-old infielder will likely remain at High-A to begin his tenure with the O's, but he could make a push to reach Double-A Chesapeake by the end of the season.

The Orioles traded Nicolas to the Nationals on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Randal Diaz.

Nicolas was pushed off the Orioles' 40-man roster Saturday, but he'll reclaim a roster spot upon joining the Nationals. The 27-year-old righty will report to Triple-A Rochester after turning in a 5.40 ERA and 2.30 WHIP across 20 innings in the minors this year.

Betts was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics due to wrist soreness, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Betts' removal from the lineup was precautionary, so it doesn't seem like the 33-year-old is dealing with a significant injury. Miguel Rojas will fill in as Los Angeles' shortstop and bat eighth while Betts sits.