MLB Player News

Ramirez will return to the lineup Saturday after sitting out Friday as part of planned maintenance since he returned from a hamate injury, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez bypassed a rehab assignment and returned directly from the injured list to the Guardians' roster July 22. Manager Stephen Vogt knew he would need to be mindful of how much Ramirez plays and when. The third baseman has started 16 of 21 games and posted a .197/.333/.197 slash line since his return .

Webb worked around a hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out one.

After 6.2 sparkling innings from starter Clay Holmes, Webb followed Ryan Rolison and Ryan Zeferjahn in shutting the door on St. Louis. Webb now has nine saves this season to go along with a strong 2.33 ERA and 10.2 K/9 across 54 innings. He appears to be Chicago's closer of choice at the moment, and he's pitched well enough that he could hold onto the role even after Daniel Palencia (elbow) returns from the injured list in the near future.

Lugo did not factor into the decision in Friday's 7-6 win over the Angels, allowing five runs on seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Lugo was mostly undone by a four-run third inning and departed after 86 pitches in the fifth after allowing a game-tying single with two outs. It's been an uneven second half for the veteran, who's posted four quality starts in six outings while also succumbing to two five-run blowups. He owns a 4.59 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 108:46 K:BB across 139.1 innings this season and lines up to face the Athletics at home next week.

Holmes (5-5) tossed 6.2 scoreless innings to earn the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.

Holmes' second start with the Cubs was much better than his first -- he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings in his team debut. The righty dazzled Friday and retired the first 16 batters he faced before Jose Fermin dumped a soft single into right field in the sixth inning to break up the potential perfect game. While Holmes has just 49 strikeouts in 63.1 innings this year, he's still has been effective with a 2.56 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, and he should get more run support than he got with the Mets now that he's backed by a strong Chicago lineup. He'll look to keep things rolling in his next outing, which is currently lined up for Wednesday against the cross-town rival White Sox.

Cruz earned the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Angels, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Cruz was called on with a one-run lead in the ninth inning and closed things out on 12 pitches. The 27-year-old has converted each of his four save chances since the All-Star break, posting a 2.57 ERA over 14 appearances during that span. On the year, he's tallied four saves and four holds to go along with a 4.17 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB across 45.1 innings.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 10-7 extra-inning win over the Mariners.

Alvarez got the Astros on the board with a solo shot off George Kirby, ending his longest stretch without a homer this season at 13 games. The slugger has still been productive despite lacking his usual pop, as he's now posted a .946 OPS with six RBI and seven runs scored in 12 August contests. He's slashing .323/.437/.626 with 36 homers, 88 RBI, 81 runs scored and one steal across 535 plate appearances, with a realistic shot at becoming baseball's first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

Santillan (oblique) struck out two and didn't allow any hits or walks during a scoreless inning Friday in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Louisville.

Santillan opened his rehab assignment on a high note, dispatching the side in order on 13 pitches (nine strikes). The right-handed reliever has been on the shelf since June 26 due to a left oblique strain and will likely require at least one more tune-up outing in the minors before rejoining the Cincinnati bullpen.

Moreno went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 2-0 win over Atlanta.

Moreno knocked in what turned out to be the winning run with a first-inning groundout. He later doubled in the eighth inning to extend a hit streak to eight contests, during which he's 13-for-35 (.371) with six doubles, one triple and five RBI. His spot at third in order, behind Geraldo Perdomo (.466 OBP in last 13 games) and Corbin Carroll (.385 in last nine), gives Moreno plenty of RBI opportunities. The catcher has driven in 22 runs over 25 games since the All-Star break.

Altuve went 2-for-5 with a run scored and two stolen bases in Friday's 10-7 extra-inning win over the Mariners.

Altuve returned after being hit by a pitch on the foot Wednesday, and he looked just fine, tallying two hits while swiping two bags. It was the veteran's fifth multi-hit effort in 11 August games, and he owns an .836 OPS with five RBI and six runs scored during the month. For the year, he's slashing .242/.305/.391 with 13 homers, 35 RBI, 55 runs scored and four steals across 414 plate appearances.

Walker went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-7 extra-inning win over the Mariners.

Walker came up clutch, launching a three-run blast off Andres Munoz to end the game in the bottom of the 10th inning. It was a good time for the 35-year-old's first homer in 12 August contests, as he entered play on an 0-for-10 skid after opening the month with a hit in seven straight games. On the year, he's slashing .238/.317/.455 with 23 homers, 70 RBI and 61 runs scored across 489 plate appearances.