MLB Player News

Varsho went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Padres.

Varsho's first homer as an Astro put them ahead 2-0 in the top of the second inning. His blast was the last baserunner Houston would have in the game, as San Diego's pitching staff retired the next 22 batters in order. Varsho has gone 3-for-21 with a 4:5 BB:K across his first six contests with his new team after he was dealt from Toronto at the trade deadline. On the year, the outfielder is batting .237 with a .675 OPS, eight homers, 28 RBI, 41 runs scored, 19 doubles, two triples and 10 stolen bases through 105 games.

Javier (1-3) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Padres.

Javier threw 62 of 86 pitches for strikes, but he was a little too hittable on some occasions. Fernando Tatis' three-run blast in the fourth inning was the difference, and Jackson Merrill had a solo shot in the second. Javier has allowed seven runs over 11 innings in his last two starts after pitching five scoreless innings in relief against the Angels on July 27. Javier has a 6.68 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB through 10 outings (six starts) this season. Assuming he stays in the rotation, he's tentatively projected to make his next appearance at home versus the Mariners.

Hays went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Hays signed with the Padres earlier Sunday. He didn't get the start, but he delivered a two-run shot while pinch hitting for Gavin Sheets in the eighth inning. Hays is likely to fill a short-side platoon role in the outfield during his time with the Padres. He is batting .250 with a .676 OPS, two homers, nine RBI, four runs scored, one double and no stolen bases over 13 games between the Padres and the White Sox this season, and he had a .779 OPS over 20 games with Triple-A Charlotte before the White Sox released him.

Sheets went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Sheets hadn't homered since June 30 versus the Cubs. During the 31-game power drought, he hit just .155 (13-for-84) with two doubles, five RBI and a 16:14 BB:K. The 30-year-old's slump, combined with the signing of Austin Hays on Sunday, could lead to Sheets losing some playing time, though he's still in the mix at first base, designated hitter and left field. Overall, Sheets is batting .214 with a .713 OPS, 15 homers, 44 RBI, 44 runs scored, 15 doubles and four stolen bases over 110 contests.

Rocker (4-9) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over three innings.

Rocker was in trouble from the outset, surrendering four hits and two runs in the first inning before Colton Cowser and Pete Alonso homered in the second. In the fourth, Rocker walked the leadoff batter, prompting his exit. Sunday was his shortest start since lasting two innings against Detroit on May 2. It marked the right-hander's third outing this season allowing at least six earned runs. Rocker now owns a 4.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 103:42 K:BB across 111 innings and will look to rebound in his next scheduled start Friday against the Athletics.

Merrill went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Merrill homered for the second game in a row and has hit safely in eight of his last nine contests. In that span, he's gone 13-for-36 (.361) with three homers and 11 RBI. The outfielder is batting .244 with a .705 OPS, 18 homers, 59 RBI, 60 runs scored, 18 doubles, two triples and 23 stolen bases over 116 contests this year. Assuming he can maintain his recent power hitting, he's within striking distance of his first 20-20 season.

Vargas went 1-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two walks Sunday against the Guardians.

Vargas earned a one-out walk in the third inning and was able to come around to score, accounting for his key production in Sunday's win. He has hit just .195 since the All-Star break but has still found ways to be productive by hitting three home runs and scoring 14 runs across 22 games.

Tatis went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

Tatis is starting to find his power swing again with three homers over his last five games. This was his first blast in that span that wasn't a solo shot. Tatis is batting .283 with a .769 OPS, 11 homers, 54 RBI, 64 runs scored, 25 doubles, two triples and 26 stolen bases over 117 contests on the year.

Povich did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Rangers, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings.

Povich opened with two scoreless frames while Baltimore's offense spotted him a five-run lead, but he couldn't maintain the momentum. After allowing a hit and a walk in the third, he surrendered a three-run homer to Brandon Nimmo that accounted for all of the damage against him. The outing was a stark contrast to his first start since returning to the rotation, when he delivered six scoreless innings. Through 28.1 major-league innings this season, Povich owns a 4.45 ERA with a 21:10 K:BB. He's currently slated to start Saturday against the Rays, though Chris Bassitt's (back) impending return from the injured list could alter those plans.

Vasquez (8-6) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win over the Astros on Sunday.

Vasquez put just two runners on base, as he allowed a single to Taylor Trammell and a home run to Daulton Varsho in the second inning. Beyond that, it was another decent start for Vasquez, who has started his last two appearances. He's pitching to contact without getting burned for now -- he has just four strikeouts over his last 15.2 innings. On the year, he's maintained a 4.16 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 66:31 K:BB through 106 innings over 23 games (19 starts). Vasquez should get at least one more turn through the rotation while Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) work their way back. The next outing for Vasquez is projected to be on the road in Cleveland.