MLB Player News

Bolte went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a walk in Monday's 9-6 loss to the Twins.

Bolte didn't drive in a run but crossed the plate a career-high three times. The rookie has been hot at the plate in August, slashing .345/.406/.494 with three homers, eight RBI, 17 runs and two stolen bases over 22 games. On the year, he's hitting .276/.352/.374 with six homers, 26 RBI, 37 runs and 14 stolen bases across 89 contests.

McNeil went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 9-6 loss to the Twins.

McNeil sparked the Athletics' rally in the ninth inning with a two-RBI double, though the comeback ultimately fell short. The veteran has mashed since the All-Star break, slashing .373/.393/.520 with three homers, 19 RBI, 14 runs and five stolen bases over his past 30 games. His season marks remain fairly pedestrian, however, as McNeil is hitting .267/.318/.362 with six homers, 45 RBI, 37 runs and six stolen bases in 115 contests.

Culpepper went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Monday's 9-6 win over the Athletics.

Culpepper sprayed a quartet of singles, marking the first four-hit performance of his young career. The 23-year-old has taken over as the primary shortstop since debuting Aug. 7 and has made a strong impression at the plate. Through 55 plate appearances, Culpepper is slashing .340/.382/.480 with two homers, a double, four RBI and six runs scored.

Buxton went 3-for-5 with a double, four runs scored and a walk in Monday's 9-6 win over the Athletics.

Buxton was active offensively, matching a season high with four runs while picking up three hits for the first time since June 26. In 10 games since returning from the injured list due to a right hip impingement, the center fielder has gone 7-for-36 (.194) with no homers, one RBI and eight runs. Overall, Buxton is slashing .256/.321/.515 with 25 homers, 46 RBI, 65 runs and seven stolen bases in 92 contests.

Morris picked up the save Monday against the Athletics, retiring the lone batter he faced.

After Yoendrys Gomez was tagged for four runs without finishing the ninth inning, Morris was called upon to record the final out and did so to secure his fourth save. It marked the 24-year-old's first save since July 12, as Gomez has settled in as the primary closer for the Twins. On the year, Morris owns a 3.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB across 60.2 innings.

Ray allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Monday.

Ray and Braxton Ashcraft traded zeroes until the sixth inning, when Pittsburgh notched a pair of runs on Ray's ledger. The first came on an Esmerlyn Valdez solo homer, while the second run crossed the plate on a double after Ray departed. While his final frame spoiled Ray's shot at a second straight quality start, it was nonetheless an overall positive outing by the left-hander, who has given up two or fewer runs in three of his four outings since joining San Diego at the trade deadline. Ray will likely need to clean up his 15:13 K:BB across 20.1 innings during that span to build consistent success, but he's being counted on to fortify a Padres rotation that could get back both Joe Musgrove (elbow) and Nick Pivetta (forearm) at some point in September.

Springs (3-12) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Twins. He struck out three.

The southpaw wasn't particularly effective, getting knocked out in the fifth inning after surrendering a solo homer to Ryan Kreidler and an RBI single to Kody Clemens. Springs threw 89 pitches (60 strikes) before exiting. In two starts since returning from an injured list stint due to right hip discomfort, the 33-year-old has allowed six runs with a 4:5 K:BB over 10.1 innings. Springs will take a 6.08 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 92:49 K:BB across 118.1 innings (24 starts) into his next outing, tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Orioles.

Ramirez earned a save against the Padres on Monday by striking out all three batters he faced in the 12th inning.

With primary closer Mason Montgomery as well as top setup man Luke Weaver having pitched earlier in the game, manager Don Kelly turned to Ramirez after Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 12th frame. The righty reliever performed in dominant fashion, striking out the side on 17 total pitches. It was the second save of the season for Ramirez and the ninth of his seven-year MLB career. Montgomery has been outstanding of late and is in no danger of losing his closer role, so fantasy managers in need of saves need not speculate on Ramirez getting many (if any) final-inning chances moving forward.

Matthews (8-8) earned the win Monday, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings against the Athletics. He struck out seven.

Matthews kept the Athletics offense quiet while completing seven innings for the first time since June 29. In four August starts, the right-hander has gone 4-0 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 22.2 frames. Overall, he owns a 4.86 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 88:32 K:BB across 103.2 innings (18 starts) and is tentatively scheduled to pitch Sunday against the White Sox.

Ashcraft allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over six innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Monday.

Ashcraft held the Padres scoreless until the sixth inning, when he balked home a run. That ended up being the only time San Diego scored while the righty starter was in the game, as he notched his third consecutive quality start and 13th overall this season. Ashcraft has given up exactly one run in each of his past three outings, posting a remarkable 1.17 ERA across 23 innings during that span. The 26-year-old has blossomed this season into a very promising MLB starter, posting a 13-5 record with a 3.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 161:34 K:BB across 155.1 frames spanning 26 starts.