MLB Player News

Stewart went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and three additional runs scored in Thursday's 9-8 win over the White Sox. He was also hit by a pitch.

Stewart crushed a Davis Martin slider, sending it 419 feet over the fence in left field. It was his 26th home run of the season. In Stewart's next plate appearance in the third, one pitch after Martin threw wild and inside, the right-hander plunked Stewart on the visor of the helmet, which set off a benches-clearing scene and resulted in Martin's ejection. Stewart also had a run-scoring single in the fourth inning and is up to 89 RBI over 120 games.

Phillips (3-6) took the loss Thursday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

After holding the Pirates scoreless through his first four innings, Phillips ran into trouble in the fifth, when he gave up two runs on a balk and a Jared Triolo homer before he was charged with another two runs in the sixth. Phillips had been pitching well coming into the day, working to a 3.33 ERA across 24.1 innings in his previous six outings. His ERA now sits at 3.65 over 98.2 innings this year with a 1.36 WHIP and 76:40 K:BB. Phillips is tentatively in line to face the Phillies on the road his next time out.

Ashcraft (12-5) earned the win in a complete game Thursday against the Marlins, allowing a run on three hits and a walk. He struck out 10.

Ashcraft was dominant Thursday, as he held Miami scoreless for eight innings before Owen Caissie led off the ninth with a home run. It was an especially encouraging performance for the right-hander, who had stumbled to a 7.88 ERA across 24 innings in his previous five outings. Ashcraft's ERA now sits at 3.88 across 24 starts (141.1 innings) this season with a 1.11 WHIP and 155:33 K:BB. He's tentatively in line to face the Tigers at home his next time out.

Flores went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and six total RBI in Thursday's 13-1 win over Miami.

Flores, making his second start in Pittsburgh's last five games, extended the Pirates' lead to 8-0 in the eighth inning with a three-run blast off John King before capping the scoring in the ninth with another three-run blast after Marlins third baseman Javier Sanoja took over on the mound. Coming into the day, Flores had just one homer through his first 12 games this season while going 1-for-15 in his last eight contests. He'll primarily serve as Henry Davis' backup behind the plate while Endy Rodriguez (hip) is sidelined.

Messick (9-7) took the loss Thursday against the Tigers, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Messick was sharp Thursday, holding Detroit to one run through his first five innings, though he gave up a solo homer to Eduardo Valencia in the sixth as the Guardians failed to generate anything on offense in an eventual 3-0 defeat. Messick has held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts, posting a 1.96 ERA in that span (41.1 innings). Overall, his ERA sits at 2.59 through 24 starts (142.1 innings) this season with a 1.03 WHIP and 142:40 K:BB. Messick currently lines up to face the Giants at home his next time out.

Jansen delivered a perfect ninth inning Thursday to earn the save in a 3-0 win over the Guardians.

It was encouraging to see Jansen turn in a clean inning Thursday, after he had given up a run in two of his last three appearances. The veteran closer has now converted 15 of his 19 save chances this season, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 37:20 K:BB across 32.2 innings.

Montero (9-7) earned the win Thursday over the Guardians, allowing three hits and a walk over 6.1 scoreless innings. He didn't record a strikeout.

Montero wasn't overpowering Thursday, though he limited hard contact to hold the Guardians scoreless in an eventual 3-0 shutout victory. Montero has now gone at least six innings in each of his last three starts, though he did give up five runs and a pair of homers his last time out against the Giants. Through 128.2 innings this season, Montero sports a solid 3.22 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP and 86:29 K:BB. He's tentatively slated to face the Pirates on the road his next time out.

The Mariners optioned Emerson to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Emerson hasn't quite lived up to the expectations that come with being a top prospect since arriving in the majors in May, slashing just .190/.246/.335 across 241 plate appearances while striking out at a 34.4 percent clip. The Mariners will now send him back to Tacoma in an effort to help him rediscover his swing, leaving Leo Rivas as the favorite to start at shortstop until J.P. Crawford (wrist) returns from the injured list.

The Dodgers signed Tromp to a minor-league deal Thursday, and he's been sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Alex Freedman of the Oklahoma City Comets reports.

Tromp elected free agency Aug. 4 after getting booted off Baltimore's 40-man roster July 31. The Dodgers have dealt with depth issues at catcher, as Will Smith (neck) and Dalton Rushing (elbow) have missed extended time. In a corresponding move Thursday, the Dodgers released Chuckie Robinson.

The Royals designated Morgan for assignment Thursday.

Morgan owns a 5.12 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 19.1 innings in the majors this year but has been far more effective at Triple-A, posting a 1.40 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 25.2 frames. He'll now end up as the roster casualty necessary to clear space on the 40-man roster for Tony Gonsolin (elbow), who signed a major-league deal with Kansas City on Thursday.