MLB Player News

Cavalli (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Phillies, allowing seven hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

It's been a long road back to the big leagues for Cavalli after he made his debut for the Nationals in 2022 and then dealt with serious arm issues, but Saturday he looked like the potential future ace the club thought it was getting when he was selected 22nd overall in the 2020 Draft. Cavalli racked up 32 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches (63 total strikes), and he topped out at 99.7 mph on a first-inning sinker to Bryce Harper while still sitting comfortably in 97-98 mph range against the final batter he faced, Edmundo Sosa. Through three starts since his promotion in early August, the 27-year-old righty has a 2.20 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over 16.1 innings as he stakes a claim to a 2026 rotation spot. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road next weekend in a rematch with the Phillies.

Walker (4-6) took the loss Saturday as the Phillies fell 2-0 to the Nationals, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty fired 60 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his third straight quality start, but Philadelphia's hitters couldn't solve Washington starter Cade Cavalli, giving Walker no margin for error. He appeared set to lose his rotation spot with Aaron Nola (ribs) poised to come off the IL on Sunday, but with Zack Wheeler now dealing with a blood clot in his shoulder, the Phillies will need Walker to remain in his current role. Over six outings since the All-Star break, Walker sports a 2.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 33.1 innings. He'll look for more run support in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend in a rematch with the Nats.

Schneider went 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run, an additional run scored and four total RBI in Saturday's 14-2 win over the Rangers.

The 26-year-old utility player capped his big day with a three-run shot off position player Rowdy Tellez in the seventh inning. Schneider kept his roster spot when George Springer was activated from the IL, but he's still likely headed for a downturn in playing time despite batting .414 (12-for-29) through nine games in August with two doubles, three homers, seven runs and 12 RBI.

Varsho went 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, a two-run home run and two additional runs scored in Saturday's 14-2 win over the Rangers.

The center fielder took Jon Gray deep in the fifth inning, one of four Toronto long balls on the afternoon. Varsho continues to supply impressive power, homering five times in 12 games since returning from the IL at the beginning of August, and on the season he's slashing .248/.306/.620 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI in only 36 contests.

Straw went 4-for-5 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI in Saturday's 14-2 rout of the Rangers.

In his first career multi-homer performance, Straw took Patrick Corbin deep in the second inning for a three-run blast before connecting on a two-run shot in the third off Jon Gray. Straw doubled his home-run total on the season in the process, and he's now up to 10 long balls in 665 career big-league contests. With George Springer back from the IL, Straw will likely be limited to a short-side platoon role and late-inning defensive duties down the stretch. On the season, he's slashing .260/.303/.363 in 103 games with nine steals, 27 RBI and 39 runs.

Lauer (8-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings in a 14-2 rout of the Rangers. He struck out four.

The southpaw tossed an inefficient 102 pitches (63 strikes), but Lauer lasted long enough to get the win and benefit from massive run support by the Blue Jays. He remains undefeated since the All-Star break, going 4-0 over his last six starts with a 2.73 ERA, but Lauer's control may be eroding -- he has an 8:7 K:BB in eight innings over his last two outings. With Shane Bieber (elbow) potentially set to make his Toronto debut next weekend, it's not clear whether Lauer will remain in the rotation, or move into a long-relief role despite his success as a starter.

Corbin (6-9) took the loss Saturday, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a 14-2 rout at the hands of the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

The veteran lefty held Toronto off the board in the first inning, but a six-run second by the home squad quickly took the suspense out of the game. It was Corbin's shortest and worst start of the season, and while it was the first time since June 23 he's been tagged for more than three earned runs, he appears to be fading -- he's failed to last five innings in three straight trips to the mound. Corbin will take a 4.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 99:40 K:BB through 119.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Kansas City.

Keller gave up a hit and struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Pirates.

With Daniel Palencia having pitched the day before, Keller got the call for a save situation and carved up the heart of Pittsburgh's order after allowing a leadoff single. The 30-year-old righty is seeing his stuff play up to a significant degree in shorter stints -- he topped out at 98 mph with his four-seamer Saturday, after spending most of his career as a starter sitting in the 92-94 mph range -- and while Palencia's closer job isn't in any jeopardy, Keller appears to be emerging as the Cubs' top right-handed setup man. In 11 appearances since the All-Star break, Keller hasn't allowed a run with a 15:2 K:BB over 12.1 innings, collecting four holds along with Saturday's save.

Gray went unclaimed after the Rangers placed him on outright waivers Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The Rangers were hoping another team would claim Gray and pay him the approximately $3 million he is owed over the rest of the season. Gray is a free agent after the season and is working as a long reliever. The Rangers are about to play 13 games in 13 days, so they may keep Gray around rather than pay him to go home, but they could also place him on waivers again before the Aug. 31 deadline for setting postseason rosters.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw's only real mistake resulted in a Tommy Pham solo shot in the fourth inning, but that was enough to deny Imanaga his ninth win of the season as the Cubs didn't take the lead until the bottom of the eighth inning. He delivered his third straight quality start on 85 pitches (57 strikes), and since returning from a hamstring strain in late June, Imanaga has posted a 3.24 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and dazzling 51:5 K:BB over 58.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Brewers in a crucial NL Central battle.