MLB Player News

Wheeler took a no-decision Monday against the Marlins, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out six.

It was easily the shortest outing of the year for Wheeler, who also turned in his shortest start since 2022. Not only was it also the first time he gave up at least five runs since May of last season, it was somewhat concerning to see the star right-hander's four-seam fastball average only 93.5 mph after it averaged 95.1 mph for the campaign entering Monday. Wheeler still has a fine 2.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 123:23 K:BB over 103 innings, and he'll be looking to flush Monday's dud his next time out in Baltimore.

Lowe went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI during the Pirates' 3-2 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Monday's game was a low-scoring affair, but Lowe put the Pirates on the board with an RBI single in the sixth inning before sending fans home happy with a walk-off RBI single in the 10th. He's tallied three hits in back-to-back games and six times this season, and it was also his 16th multi-RBI game of the year. Lowe is slashing .251/.319/.478 with one steal, 21 home runs and 67 RBI over 436 plate appearances this season.

Varland secured the save Monday against the Nationals, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Washington got the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base Monday, but Varland ultimately slammed the door for his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. The hard-throwing right-hander has been sublime since usurping Jeff Hoffman as Toronto's closer, successfully converting all 22 of his save opportunities this year. Through 53 innings, Varland boasts a 1.02 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72:14 K:BB to establish a strong grip on the closing gig.

Keller did not factor into Monday's decision against Arizona, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four across 5.1 innings.

Keller kept pace with Merrill Kelly in Monday's pitching duel before the former gave up the first runs of the game in the sixth on a Max Kepler double, though Keller came away with the no-decision after his Pirates teammates forced extra-innings. He's given up two earned runs or less in back-to-back starts and sports a 4.83 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB over 113.2 innings this season. Keller is lined up to face the Reds on the road this weekend.

Scherzer took a no-decision Monday against the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out four.

Making his return from a lengthy absence with back spasms and a thumb injury, Scherzer struggled to find his control Monday and also lacked efficiency. He threw 75 pitches (44 strikes) and still couldn't make it through three frames against one of his former teams, and Scherzer has now walked three batters in three consecutive starts while failing to work into the fifth inning in each. The 42-year-old right-hander appears to be on his last legs amidst an injury-plagued 2026 campaign, dragging a 9.49 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB over 24.2 frames into his next scheduled appearance at home against the Cardinals.

Kepler went 3-for-5 with a two-run double during Arizona's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.

Merrill Kelly and Mitch Keller were locked in a pitcher's duel, but Kepler was responsible for the first runs of the game with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning that plated two runs for the Diamondbacks. Kepler is slashing .235/.280/.397 with two home runs and 14 RBI across 75 plate appearances this season.

Mead was removed from Monday's game against the Athletics after being hit by a pitch on his left hand, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Mead was struck by a pitch in just his second at-bat as a member of the Red Sox, and he was removed shortly after. Anthony Seigler was called upon to man second base in Mead's absence. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time.

Kelly did not factor into Monday's decision against the Pirates, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six across 5.2 innings.

The only run Kelly allowed Monday was unearned, though it was his doing on a pickoff error to first, leading to Jake Mangum scoring on a Brandon Lowe single. It was the first time in 19 starts this season that Kelly did not yield an earned run, and his six punchouts tied a season high that he set three times prior to Monday's game. He'll take a 4.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 109.1 innings into his next start, which is slated for this weekend on the road against the Guardians.

Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Rochester following Monday's 3-2 loss to Toronto. He allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings.

Alvarez put together a strong performance while serving as Washington's bulk reliever Monday, managing to keep his club in the ballgame after opener Eddy Yean allowed a pair of runs. However, the left-hander didn't show enough to keep his place on the big-league roster. Jake Irvin (shoulder) is nearing a return from the 60-day injured list, though it remains to be seen if his activation will be the corresponding move ahead of Tuesday's game.

Garcia was credited with the save in Monday's 8-5 win over Detroit, when he struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

Garcia was tagged with a blown save in three of his four outings prior to Monday's game, but he managed to get the job done in Detroit on 17 pitches (10 strikes) with two punchouts. Given the number of opportunities he's had since the All-Star break, Garcia could be the Orioles' preferred option at closer over Andrew Kittredge and Tyler Wells in the absence of both Ryan Helsley (elbow) and Felix Bautista (shoulder).