MLB Player News

Lopez started at second base and 1-for-1 before being lifted for a pinch hitter in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Marlins.

Lopez has been a frequent presence at second base and started every game there after the team optioned Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock. That opportunity could close as soon as Thursday, when shortstop Corey Seager (concussion) is expected rejoin the club. His return means Texas manager Skip Schumaker will need a home for Ezequiel Duran, who has served as the fill-in shortstop.

Okert (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless inning.

Okert has now turned in 17 straight scoreless innings, posting a stellar 0.65 WHIP with 17:4 K:BB in that span. The veteran left-hander has been excellent in the back half of Houston's bullpen this season, posting a 2.35 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP while leading the team with nine holds.

Hill went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Nationals.

Hill represented the Phillies final out when he entered the game as a pinch hitter for Justin Crawford in the ninth. He'd proceed to launch a go-ahead, two-run blast off Richard Lovelady, his fifth homer of the year and first since joining Philadelphia. In 10 games since he was traded from the White Sox, Hill has gone 7-for-21 (.333) with an .857 OPS while filling the short side of a center-field platoon with Crawford.

Halpin entered Wednesday's game as a pinch runner and went 1-for-2 with three runs scored in a 4-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

Halpin reached base just once in two plate appearance but crossed the plate three times. He ran for David Fry and scored in the sixth inning, singled and scored in the eighth and was the designated runner in the 10th and scored. He had started the previous four games before opening Wednesday's contest on the bench. Halpin is getting an uptick in playing time in the outfield with both Chase DeLauter (ribs) and Angel Martinez (foot) on the injured list.

Watson went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

Watson singled in two runs in the sixth inning and then produced the game-winning tally in the top of the 10th. The rookie found a groove against MLB pitching during this three-game set in Chicago. He recorded his first career hit and first career home run while driving six of 10 runs the Guardians scored in the series. After striking out eight times in his first 12 at-bats, Watson has fanned just once over the next nine. With Chase DeLauter (ribs) and Angel Martinez (foot) on the injured list, Watson should receive significant playing time in the short term.

Garcia went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Phillies.

Garcia opened the scoring in the first inning with a 412-foot shot off Aaron Nola, his 13th homer of the year and third in his last three games. In his last 15 games, Garcia's gone 14-for-48 (.292) with six homers and a 1.042 OPS. Overall, he's slashing .263/.293/.494 through 259 plate appearances this season with 49 RBI, 34 runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.

De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with two walks and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Brewers.

This was De La Cruz's second game back off the injured list, where he spent three weeks with a hamstring injury. He's 1-for-7 with two walks in the two games back. De La Cruz's return comes at a pivotal time for the Reds, who have lost 14 of the last 21 games and now sit 12.5 games out of first place and 5.5 out of an NL Wild Card spot.

Betts went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Twins.

Betts led off the second inning with a solo homer against Joe Ryan before adding a double in the fifth. The long ball was his ninth of the season and his third in the last 10 games, a stretch in which Betts is batting .350 (14-for-40). The surge has been a welcome turnaround for the veteran, who owned a disappointing .196/.261/.350 slash line prior to this hot streak.

Scott earned the save Wednesday against the Twins, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning of a 4-3 win.

Scott was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead and worked around a leadoff single to notch his 11th save of the season. The left-hander has now converted a save in each of his last five appearances and has been nearly untouchable during that span, allowing just one hit while striking out eight batters without issuing a walk. Scott is carrying a 2.18 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 40:3 K:BB across 33 innings this season.

Ryan (5-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out nine over six innings.

Ryan's outing got off to a rough start when Mookie Betts led off the second inning with a solo homer, and Los Angeles added three more runs in the third to build what proved to be the decisive lead. Despite the loss, the right-hander's stuff remained electric, as he matched his season high with nine strikeouts and generated 17 swinging strikes. Ryan has now completed at least six innings in eight of his last nine starts. He'll carry a 3.18 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 108:19 K:BB across 93.1 innings into his next scheduled start on the road against Houston.