MLB Player News

Vasquez completed five relief innings against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters in a no-decision.

Vasquez was the Padres' third pitcher, following Wandy Peralta (one inning) and Kyle Hart (one inning). Vasquez had pitched well as a traditional starter in his previous two appearances, giving up just two runs over 11 combined frames, so it's unclear why he was transitioned back to bulk relief Saturday. Regardless, that decision didn't work out, as the right-hander yielded two runs in the fifth inning and another two in the seventh. It remains to be seen how Vasquez will be deployed moving forward, but he logged a starter's workload of 90 pitches Saturday, so he'll presumably remain on his regular rest schedule, which puts him on track to next take the mound next weekend at home against Minnesota.

Detmers (4-8) allowed two hits and struck out 11 without walking a batter over eight shutout innings to earn the win over the Royals on Saturday.

Detmers needed just 93 pitches (59 strikes) in this gem, though the Angels opted to have Ben Joyce come on for the save with a one-run lead to protect in the ninth inning. Prior to Saturday, Detmers came up winless in nine straight starts with a 4.60 ERA over 47 innings in that span. He has looked better since the All-Star break, giving up just seven runs over his last 34.1 innings with a 44:8 K:BB during that stretch. Overall, the southpaw has been a bright spot on a bad team with a 3.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 167:43 K:BB through 143 innings over 25 starts this season. Detmers is projected to be on the bump for a road start versus the Rangers his next time out.

Abreu went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two doubles in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Pirates.

Abreu's second-inning blast was ultimately all the Red Sox needed for the win. The outfielder has hit safely in five straight contests, going 7-for-18 with two homers and four doubles in that span. For the season, he's batting .259 with an .811 OPS, 22 homers, 65 RBI, 69 runs scored, 27 doubles, three triples and eight stolen bases over 120 contests. With about six weeks left in the season, Abreu has time to set career highs in most areas, as he's right in line with his counting stats from last year.

Cantillo (9-7) earned the win over San Diego on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Cantillo yielded just one hit -- a single by the second batter he faced (Jake Cronenworth). The Padres were able to use that knock to manufacture a run, but Cantillo shut them down the rest of the way, allowing just two additional baserunners (both on free passes). Cantillo logged an impressive 15 whiffs on 87 pitches and finished with his first quality start and first outing of at least six innings since June 26. He's had issues with walks this season, but the left-hander has managed a 9-7 record with 139 punchouts over 125.2 innings while posting a 3.80 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 26 starts. He's slated to next take the mound on the road in Colorado.

Gray (15-3) allowed six hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Pirates.

Gray is now tied with Cristopher Sanchez for the major-league lead with 15 wins. This outing was Gray's fourth win in six starts since the All-Star break. The veteran right-hander has posted five scoreless outings in 23 starts while pitching to a 2.65 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB through 132.2 innings. He's lined up for a favorable home matchup versus the Giants in his next start.

Jones (2-5) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Red Sox.

Jones pitched fairly well, but the Pirates gave him no run support. He had allowed 11 runs over seven innings across his first two starts in August. Jones has taken the loss in his last four appearances and is now at a 4.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 72:21 K:BB over 64 innings over 14 starts this season. He's projected for a tough road start versus the Dodgers in his next outing.

Bautista (shoulder) could begin a minor-league rehab assignment in late August, per MLB.com.

Bautista has been facing live hitters, with his most recent session coming Saturday. The right-hander is working his way back from shoulder surgery, which he underwent last August, and it sounds like he has a real chance to make his season debut at some point in September. With Ryan Helsley's (elbow) timeline for a return still uncertain, Bautista could rejoin Baltimore's bullpen before Helsley.

Banks (forearm) has progressed to throwing bullpen sessions, per MLB.com.

Banks' next step will be live batting practice, which could come next week. The left-hander is recovering from a strained left forearm, and he appears unlikely to rejoin Philadelphia's bullpen until sometime in mid-to-late September.

Stott went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and two walks in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Twins.

Although it was just Stott's first homer of August, he's been a menace at the plate lately. Over 45 at-bats on the month, the infielder is hitting .378 with the aforementioned big fly, four doubles, eight RBI, five stolen bases and 15 walks. Stott has been on a hot streak since the start of June, slashing .305/.399/.456 with three long balls, 17 doubles, 31 RBI and 13 steals over his last 264 plate appearances (65 games).

Young went 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI and two additional runs scored in Saturday's 10-5 win over Houston.

Young collected a season-high four RBI on Saturday in his 10th game of the season with at least three knocks. The second baseman might not hit leadoff as often going forward -- Young slotted into the sixth spot in the batting order Saturday -- as Brendan Donovan is back in the fold for the Mariners. Young is slashing .262/.319/.407 with 15 homers, 15 doubles, 56 RBI, 58 runs scored and three stolen bases over 497 plate appearances.