MLB Player News

Cruz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Reds.

Cruz blasted his 20th home run of the season in the second inning and his first since Aug. 30. He's had a very quiet September to close out a disappointing year, hitting only .192 with eight RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases across 52 at-bats. While Cruz is hitting just .203 overall, he is two stolen bases away from a 20-40 campaign.

Sands tossed a perfect ninth frame to earn a save Tuesday over the Rangers.

Sands needed just nine pitches to retire the side for his third save of the season and his first since May 16. Sands had blown his previous two save opportunities and Tuesday marked only his second scoreless outing in his last seven appearances. Saves are far and few between for the Twins, but it seems Sands is in the mix for more in the final week along with Kody Funderburk.

Arraez went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Tuesday's victory over the Brewers.

Arraez turned on a Bruce Zimmermann cutter in the second inning, curling it off the right-field foul pole for a two-run shot, his eighth homer of the season. It's been a down year overall for Arraez, with career lows in batting average (.288) and OPS (.711) across 151 games, but the infielder may be heating up at the right time, riding a 12-game hitting streak with an .801 OPS during that span.

Vazquez went 1-for-1 with two walks and a stolen base in Tuesday's win over the Rangers. He was also hit by a pitch.

Vazquez had a productive evening on offense, reaching base four times and even swiping his first bag of the year. Both Vazquez and Ryan Jeffers returned from the injured list on consecutive days to begin the week and the two will likely end up splitting duties once again to close out the season.

Hernandez went 3-for-5 with a double and a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies.

The 25-year-old rookie took Philly closer Jhoan Duran deep in the ninth inning to tie the game at 3-3, setting the stage for an 11th-inning victory for Miami. Hernandez is to up 10 homers in his first 82 big-league games, including three in the last 10 contests -- a stretch in which he's batting .357 (10-for-28) with a double, a steal, seven RBI and nine runs.

Karros went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Tuesday against the Mariners.

Karros recorded an RBI in his second consecutive game after knocking in a run with a single in the second inning. He remains the Rockies' primary third baseman, starting 16 of 20 games in September. However, Karros has hit only .222 with three RBI and six runs scored in that span.

Matthews (5-6) got the win Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing one run on four hits while striking out six in seven innings. He did not issue a walk.

Matthews allowed a solo home run to Joc Pederson on just his second pitch of the game but shut down the Rangers from there. Tuesday's performance was an excellent bounce-back effort from Matthews after he was shelled his last time out, tying his career worst in runs allowed (nine) while setting a new career worst in hits allowed (11). The quality start was Matthews' third in his last five outings in what's been a strong finish to an up-and-down season for the 25-year-old. Matthews lines up for one additional road start this weekend against the Phillies.

O'Hearn went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Tuesday's victory over the Brewers.

O'Hearn electrified the crowd Tuesday with a first-inning grand slam off Bruce Zimmermann to put the Padres on top early. After a rough start to September, the slugger has locked back in, going 10-for-20 with eight RBI and a pair of extra-base hits across his past five games. While his post-deadline production has dipped to a .711 OPS since he left the Orioles, O'Hearn's overall season has been strong, with a .276/.362/.435 line, 20 doubles, 17 homers and 62 RBI across 140 games.

Conine went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Seeing his first game action since Apr. 19 due to shoulder surgery, Conine got the start in left field and batted eighth, and it was his long ball off David Robertson in the eighth inning that got the Marlins on the board and kicked off a rally from a 3-0 deficit. Conine will likely see consistent at-bats over the final week as Miami evaluates how he might fit into their 2026 roster plans, and through 76 plate appearances on the season the second-generation Marlin is slashing .275/.342/.464 with two homers, eight RBI and 12 runs.

Megill (elbow) had a successful multi-inning bullpen session Tuesday and is slated to face hitters Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

If things go well Friday, Megill appears in line to be activated from the 15-day injured list for the final game of the regular season Sunday versus the Reds. He would make an appearance that day as he gears up for the postseason. Megill has missed all of September with a right flexor strain.