MLB Player News

Cowser went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two RBI in Sunday's 10-5 win over the Rangers.

Cowser added to Baltimore's early lead by taking Kumar Rocker deep for a solo homer in the second inning, giving him nine home runs on the season. He later drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth to secure his first multi-RBI performance since June 21. Cowser had struggled mightily over the past month entering Sunday, batting just .121 across his previous 29 games with only one RBI.

Alonso went 3-for-3 with two home runs, two walks, four RBI and an additional run scored in Sunday's 10-5 win over the Rangers.

Alonso reached base in all five of his plate appearances and recorded his first multi-homer game as an Oriole, launching two-run shots in back-to-back at-bats. The huge performance came after Alonso entered Sunday with just one extra-base hit while batting .160 through seven August games. With 25 on the season now, he's on pace to reach 30 home runs for the seventh time in his career and sixth consecutive season, though his overall production has slipped compared to his usual standards, with a .472 slugging percentage and .818 OPS.

Gilbert went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in Sunday's 3-1, extra-inning loss to the Tigers.

Gilbert tripled off Troy Melton in his first plate appearance for his third three-bagger of the season before adding an RBI single in the seventh inning. The RBI snapped a 41-plate-appearance drought without driving in a run, though Gilbert remained productive during that stretch with a .410 OBP. Through 94 games this season, he's batting .240 with a .680 OPS.

Webb did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over eight innings.

Webb allowed just one hit through his first five innings before Detroit opened the sixth with back-to-back singles, eventually leading to his lone run allowed. Despite the excellent outing, San Francisco's offense managed only one run in the extra-inning loss. Webb has been an absolute workhorse since the beginning of June, completing at least six innings in 11 of his 12 starts, including four outings of eight innings. His swing-and-miss ability remains modest with a 10 percent swinging-strike rate, but a groundball rate north of 50 percent continues to make him a strong contributor in the ratio categories.

Melton did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Giants, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over six innings.

Melton threw 60 of his 92 pitches for strikes and generated 14 whiffs while never facing more than four batters in an inning. He held San Francisco scoreless through six frames before returning for the seventh and issuing a leadoff walk to Rafael Devers, prompting his exit. Melton watched from the dugout as a run eventually scored on an error. The right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run across his last three starts (20 innings) and owns a 3-0 record with a 0.64 ERA since the beginning of July. Through 80 innings this season, Melton boasts a stellar 1.46 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 69:24 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox on Saturday.

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.