MLB Player News

Riley went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Riley launched his seventh career home run off Aaron Nola in the seventh inning. The 29-year-old is hitting .235 over 10 September games, though he's homered twice with seven RBI in that span. For the year, he's slashing .223/.294/.369 with 17 long balls, 68 RBI, 59 runs scored and nine steals across 578 plate appearances.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Olson opened the scoring with a solo homer off the left-field foul pole in the first inning. It was the 32-year-old's first homer in 10 September contests, and he entered the game just 4-for-32 to open the month. On the year, he's slashing .249/.323/.506 with 38 homers, 82 RBI, 95 runs scored and four steals across 640 plate appearances.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Friday that Hoskins (back) has begun a swing progression program, MLB.com reports.

Hoskins still has time to make it back from the injured list before the end of the regular season, though he'll need to take live at-bats in simulated games and/or head out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated. Once he rejoins the Guardians, Hoskins will likely occupy the short side of a platoon at first base with Nathaniel Lowe.

Bazzana went 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored in Friday's 5-2 win over the Twins.

Bazzana got on base to start an inning in all four of his plate appearances, and eventually the Guardians' bats got him home in the seventh and ninth innings. The rookie has been on a roll the last week, going 9-for-18 with four walks, two doubles, two home runs and eight RBI over the last six contests.

Imanaga (10-10) picked up the win in Friday's 12-2 rout over the Pirates, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw delivered his 13th quality start of the season on 100 pitches (60 strikes). Imanaga has put together an effective second half, and over 10 starts since the All-Star break he's produced a 5-2 record with a 3.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 51:10 K:BB through 54.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Atlanta.

Nola did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Nola allowed two solo homers but still outdueled Chris Sale, departing with a 3-2 lead after throwing 68 strikes on 101 pitches. The 33-year-old has now delivered a quality start in four of his past five outings, and he owns a 3.08 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break. He'll take a 4.69 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 165:55 K:BB across 161.1 innings this season into a road matchup with the Mets next week.

Dotel (1-5) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on four hits over two innings as the Pirates were routed 12-2 by the Cubs. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Pittsburgh went with a bullpen game to fill the spot of Braxton Ashcraft (arm) in the rotation, and Dotel was the first of three pitchers to work multiple innings at Wrigley Field as all three got tagged for at least three runs. Dotel has been relatively effective in a long-relief role since the All-Star break, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over his last nine appearances and 16.1 innings.

Sale did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven innings.

Sale allowed a bases-loaded double in the second inning but settled in from there, throwing 59 of 94 pitches for strikes with 11 whiffs. The veteran southpaw has now recorded a quality start in each of his nine outings since the All-Star break, posting a 2.14 ERA during that stretch. He'll take a 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 190:31 K:BB across 157 innings this season into a road matchup with the Astros next weekend.

Steer (wrist) was cleared Friday to begin range-of-motion activity, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer was examined in Arizona by a specialist, who cleared him to increase activity. "All is going really well," manager Terry Francona said. "He will begin more range of motion [exercises], start to get a bat in his hand." That's good news for Steer, but it doesn't guarantee he'll return before the end of the regular season. "The goal is we want him to have a normal offseason," Francona said. "We might be pushing it if we try to do it by the end of the season." The Reds are considering having Steer play in the Arizona Fall League, which is typically reserved for prospects.

Nelson (elbow) will make one more rehab appearance at Triple-A Reno before rejoining the Diamondbacks, MLB.com reports.

Nelson has thrown a pair of scoreless innings and struck out four over his first two rehab outings. The right-hander will pitch out of the bullpen as Arizona competes for a playoff spot.