MLB Player News

Varland retired both batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox.

Varland was summoned with two runners in scoring position and one out after Michael Waldron struggled to open the ninth inning, and the closer quickly slammed the door on just five pitches. Since blowing his first save of the season Thursday, the 28-year-old Varland has picked up a win and two saves over his past three appearances. On the season, he's now converted 26 of 27 save chances while posting a 1.30 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 76:17 K across 62.1 innings.

Kent took a no-decision against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks in four-plus innings. He struck out six.

Kent delivered four scoreless innings to open the game, but he was unable to record an out in the fifth after allowing three consecutive baserunners in the frame. The 23-year-old southpaw was making his MLB debut Wednesday, and he's looking at a potentially extended stay in Washington's rotation while the Nationals wait on Connelly Early (elbow) to get healthy. Kent's next outing is tentatively projected to come in Texas.

Bregman went 3-for-3 with two walks, three home runs and seven RBI in Wednesday's 12-6 win over the Nationals.

Bregman is officially on fire as he recorded his first career three-homer game and just his second multi-homer game of the season. The seven RBI are also a new career best. The veteran third baseman is now up to 16 long balls overall, and he's sporting a robust 1.123 OPS in 11 games this month with five of those home runs and 14 RBI. Bregman has put a sluggish start to the year behind him, and based on his recent performance, he could end up being a major difference-maker down the stretch.

Thomas went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets.

Thomas opened the scoring with a 412-foot blast in the second inning before being lifted in favor of Mike Yastrzemski in the seventh. It marked his first homer in eight games since being traded to Atlanta, where the 30-year-old Thomas has gone 3-for-13 while starting four of those contests. On the year, he's slashing .230/.326/.399 with 11 long balls, 39 RBI, 34 runs scored and seven steals across 341 plate appearances with Atlanta and Kansas City.

Peterson (7-7) earned the win against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Peterson got knocked around a bit Wednesday, but he hung in there for his sixth consecutive start of at least five innings. The southpaw has conceded three runs or fewer in all but one of first eight outings for the Cubs, though the one exception was a 10-run implosion versus St. Louis on July 3. Peterson has a 4.19 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB over 43 innings for the Cubs ahead of his next scheduled appearance against the crosstown-rival White Sox.

Riley went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets.

Riley fell a triple shy of the cycle, highlighted by a 438-foot blast in the seventh inning. It continued a red-hot August for the third baseman, who's hitting .351 with seven extra-base hits, eight RBI and seven runs scored through 11 games this month. On the year, he's slashing .225/.299/.375 with 15 homers, 58 RBI, 50 runs scored and seven steals across 482 plate appearances.

Torres went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Guardians.

Torres was the only Detroit player with multiple hits and he also delivered his eighth home run of the season in the third inning, which gave the Tigers a short-lived 3-2 lead. The veteran infielder batted leadoff for the first time since Aug. 2, with Kevin McGonigle sliding down from first to third in the lineup against lefty Foster Griffin. Whether he's batting leadoff or not, Torres should regularly occupy a spot near the top of Detroit's order most days, and he should remain a steady if not spectacular fantasy performer.

Whitlock was unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays due to elbow inflammation, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said after the game that Whitlock has been dealing with a nagging elbow issue for a while. The 30-year-old right-hander is scheduled to undergo further evaluation Thursday, at which point the team may know whether he has to spend time on the injured list.

Mahle (4-9) earned the win against the Mets on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with seven strikeouts over six innings.

Mahle cruised through five scoreless innings before surrendering a solo homer in the sixth, throwing 58 of 93 pitches for strikes with 15 whiffs. A change of scenery has benefited the 31-year-old, who's allowed just one earned run while racking up 16 strikeouts across two quality starts since joining Atlanta at the trade deadline. Overall, he owns a 4.64 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 105:39 K:BB across 106.2 innings between Atlanta and San Francisco this season. With Reynaldo Lopez (knee) expected to return from the injured list soon, it's unclear when Mahle will make his next appearance with his new club.

Thornton (3-3) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts over six innings.

Thornton threw just 47 of 80 pitches for strikes with six whiffs but battled to earn his fifth quality start in eight outings with the Mets. The 24-year-old has now yielded three earned runs or fewer on seven occasions, though he sports a lackluster 7:6 K:BB over three August starts. He'll carry a 2.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB across 45.1 innings this season into a home matchup with the Padres next week.