MLB Player News

Carroll went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

The Diamondbacks had little success against Los Angeles starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but Carroll cashed in a big and timely hit when he took reliever Tanner Scott deep to tie the game in the eighth inning. This was Carroll's second straight game with a homer, and he's logged four multi-hit efforts over his last seven contests. The 25-year-old outfielder already has a career-high 29 homers, and he has a month left to add to his total. He's added 71 RBI, 92 runs scored, 21 stolen bases, 27 doubles, 16 triples and a .258/.333/.559 slash line over 121 games this season.

Pfaadt allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Sunday.

Pfaadt opened August with a pair of wins before going winless across his last four starts of the month. He allowed 21 runs over 30.2 innings while posting a 24:8 K:B across his six outings during the month. Pfaadt remains inconsistent with a 5.33 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 122:33 K:BB through 147 innings across 28 starts this season. He has a low enough walk rate to find success if he can make his pitches a little less hittable. Pfaadt's next start is projected to be at home versus the Red Sox.

The Cubs are expected to recall Alcantara from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Alcantara received a brief cup of coffee with the Cubs last September, going 1-for-10 over three games. The 23-year-old has spent the entire season to date with Iowa and has produced well, slashing .266/.349/.470 with 17 home runs and 10 stolen bases over 102 games. The Cubs are expected to option outfielder Owen Caissie to Iowa to make room on the active roster for Alcantara, who likely won't be in store for much playing time in the Chicago outfield while all of Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker are available.

Smith hit a walk-off solo home run in his lone at-bat in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Smith pinch hit for Dalton Rushing in the ninth inning and took Arizona reliever John Curtiss deep for the walk-off win. August wasn't kind to Smith -- while he hit three homers over 22 games, he batted just .159 (11-for-69) with 10 RBI and a 15:24 BB:K for the month. He's up to 17 homers, 60 RBI, 62 runs scored and two stolen bases while batting .293 with a .901 OPS through 107 contests this season.

The Cubs are expected to option Caissie to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

After being called up from Triple-A on Aug. 14, Caissie struggled to carve out a regular role in the Chicago outfield and slashed just .208/.240/.375 through his first 25 big-league plate appearances. He'll get the chance to resume playing on an everyday basis at Iowa and will cede his spot on the active roster to Kevin Alcantara, who si expected to be called up from Triple-A on Monday in a corresponding transaction.

Scott allowed three runs on three hits and a walk over one inning, taking a blown save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

This wasn't shaping up as a traditional save chance for Scott, as he was brought in for a high-leverage spot in the eighth inning. He wasn't up to the task, allowing a three-run home run to Corbin Carroll that tied the game at 4-4. This was Scott's eighth blown save of the year and his first in three outings since returning from a month-long absence due to an elbow issue. The lefty reliever is 20-for-28 in save chances with a 4.44 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 50:12 K:BB across 48.2 innings this season.

Yamamoto allowed one run on four hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Tanner Scott surrendered the lead in the eighth inning, denying Yamamoto the win, but it doesn't sour the starter's strong performance. This was Yamamoto's third double-digit strikeout game of the year and his first since April 18 versus the Rangers. He's also logged three straight quality starts. On the season, Yamamoto is now at a 2.82 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 167:48 K:BB through 146.2 innings across 26 starts. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Baltimore.

The Guardians are expected to call up Valera from Triple-A Columbus prior to Monday's game against the Red Sox, SI.com reports.

An international signee for the Guardians in 2017, Valera will finally reach the big leagues after eight-plus seasons in the organization. The 24-year-old had been regarded as one of the Guardians' top position prospects at various points during his time in the organization, but his star had dimmed after injuries had slowed his ascent through the farm system. Valera has had two separate stints on Columbus' injured list this season, but the outfielder has been productive when available, slashing .255/.346/.457 with three home runs over 107 plate appearances. Valera will bolster the Guardians' depth in the outfield, but he's unlikely to find his way to regular playing time while he's up with the big club.

Chapman was pulled from Sunday's game against Baltimore after fouling a ball off his left shin/foot, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Chapman was in clear pain after the foul ball, but he remained in the game and worked a walk. However, he was subsequently replaced at first base by Casey Schmitt. The Giants were up 8-0 in the sixth inning at the time Chapman departed, so it's possible his removal was simply precautionary. San Francisco may provide an update on the veteran third baseman after he gets looked at.

MLB and the MLBPA announced Sunday that Ortiz will remain on non-disciplinary paid leave until further notice while MLB continues its sports-betting investigation.

The Guardians aren't planning on commenting further on Ortiz's status until the investigation concludes, but the right-hander's locker at Progressive Field was cleared out nearly a month ago, which implies that he isn't expected to pitch again this season. Ortiz remains under club control heading into 2026, but whether he returns to the mound with the Guardians or another team down the road won't become clear until MLB releases the findings of its investigation.