MLB Player News

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Alexander's role will shift from primary starter at third base to playing various spots around the field after top prospect Jordan Lawlar was called up to the majors, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Alexander had been the primary starter at third base since the Eugenio Suarez trade but slid over to second base Friday while Lawlar manned the hot corner. Lovullo said Lawlar would be limited to the left side of the infield -- shortstop or third base -- and would start against all lefties, while the manager does a mix-and-match against righties. Lovullo also said the righty-hitting Alexander could get starts in center field, where the Diamondbacks are lefty heavy.

Lawlar started at third base and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Friday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers.

Lawlar's three-K night continued a trend that was evident in his previous visits to the majors: striking out a lot. In two brief stints with Arizona, he's been overwhelmed by the pitching, collecting 20 strikeouts over 56 plate appearances. HIs presence in the lineup resulted in Blaze Alexander, who had been the primary third baseman since the Eugenio Suarez trade, being moved to second base Friday while Ketel Marte served as the DH. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that Lawlar would see time on the left side of the infield while Alexander migrates around the field, including time in center field. The manager added that Lawlar will be in the lineup against every left-hander, and the club will mix-and-match against righties.

Marquez (3-12) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Marquez was far from sharp in his first major-league start since July 20, surrendering at least five runs for the eighth time this season. It was the veteran right-hander's first outing this year with zero strikeouts, and he's now walked at least three in four of his past five appearances dating back to June 29. Marquez has a miserable 5.87 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 73:38 K:BB across 102.2 innings, so he won't be a recommended streaming option at hitter-friendly Coors Field against the division-rival Giants next week.

Horton (9-4) picked up the win Friday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four.

Horton pitched at least five innings for the seventh time in his last eight starts, though the six hits allowed were his most since July 9 in Minnesota. The rookie right-hander has been dealing since the All-Star break, producing a shiny 0.86 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 38:13 K:BB across his last 50 frames. Horton will be trying to keep the good times rolling at home against Atlanta in his next scheduled appearance.

Matthews (4-4) picked up the win Friday against the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out three.

It was Matthews' first start of at least six innings since July 25 against the Nationals, although he fanned a season-low three Friday. The 25-year-old right-hander has 70 strikeouts over 58.2 innings, but his rough 5.06 ERA and 1.48 WHIP make him a candidate to move out of the Minnesota rotation once Pablo Lopez (shoulder) comes off his rehab assignment. Matthews should get at least one more turn in the rotation, which lines up for a favorable home matchup against the last-place White Sox next week.

Cortes (2-3) took the loss Friday against the Twins, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in three-plus innings. He struck out two.

It's possible Cortes would have worked deeper into the outing, but he was ejected in the middle of the fourth inning, per Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. It was still a poor showing by the 30-year-old left-hander, who tied a season low in punchouts and issued multiple free passes for the fifth time in seven starts in 2025. Cortes has an uninspiring 5.06 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB over 32 frames, though he should carry some upside in mixed leagues next week against an Orioles team with a .674 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of August.

Lugo (8-7) took the loss Friday against the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out five.

Lugo's struggles during the second half of the season continued, as he's now given up at least four runs in five of his last nine starts. The veteran right-hander has also been unable to throw at least five innings on five occasions since the All-Star break, and he has a ghastly 7.51 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB over his last 44.1 frames during that period. Lugo has also issued multiple walks in all but one of his last nine outings, so he'll have plenty to clean up next week at home against the Angels.

Paddack took a no-decision Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks in 3.2 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Paddack was pulled after tossing just 58 pitches, his second-fewest total of the season, and it was his shortest outing since way back on March 31 against the White Sox. Although it was also the second time this year that the 29-year-old right-hander registered zero punchouts, he at least managed to settle down after Kansas City tagged him for three runs in the first frame. Paddack has an underwhelming 5.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 30 innings since joining the Tigers, and his streaming appeal will be limited with a tough matchup against the Mets on tap for next week.

Mountcastle went 3-for-5 with two doubles, four RBI and one run scored in Friday's 15-8 loss to the Giants.

Mountcastle had Robbie Ray's number, delivering all three hits over the first five innings of the game. Since returning from a Grade 2 hamstring injury, Mountcastle has gone 21-for-73 (.288) with five extra-base hits and 12 RBI over 19 contests. The first baseman has reclaimed a starting role in the lineup and is up to a .258/.294/.365 slash line with four homers, 16 doubles, 27 RBI, 26 runs scored and three stolen bases over 71 games this season.

Holliday went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 15-8 loss to the Giants.

Holliday has posted consecutive multi-hit efforts after going eight games without one. The infielder is batting a paltry .173 (17-for-98) over 25 contests in August, adding just four extra-base hits, six RBI and three steals. For the season, he's posted a lackluster .244/.306/.378 slash line with 15 homers, 13 steals, 49 RBI, 60 runs scored, 18 doubles and two triples across 126 contests. Baltimore continues to put him in a position to succeed as the leadoff hitter, but he's still looking for long-term consistency.