MLB Player News

Arias started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored during Wednesdays 6-1 win over the Reds.

Arias has seen his playing time dwindle since Jose Ramirez (hand) came off the injured list, but he got the start at second base Wednesday with Travis Bazzana moving to designated hitter. Arias now has a hit in six of his last seven games. The 26-year-old is having the best hitting season of his career with a .261/.302/.412 slash line and five home runs, but he could have trouble finding regular starts since Ramirez, Bazzana, and Brayan Rocchio are locked into starting roles.

Manzardo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in a 6-1 win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Manzardo reached base safely three times in Wednesday's game as he continues his mini power surge over his last seven games. In those games, Manzardo has three homers and eight RBI to go along with a .714 slugging percentage, but he is struggling overall on the season with a .154 average (4-for-26) and 12 strikeouts since the break and is batting just .210 for the season.

Cantillo took a no-decision Wednesday against the Reds, allowing no runs on four hits and a walk while striking out eight over four innings.

Cantillo wasn't exactly efficient as he threw just 53 of his 89 pitches for strikes, but he generated multiple strikeouts in three of his four frames to help break a two-start losing streak. The 26-year-old got into jams in the first and fourth innings but escaped unscathed as he continues to excel with runners in scoring position, as the .189 average against him in those situations leads MLB. The lefty is slated to make his next start at home against the Mets.

Vilade went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer during the Rays' 3-0 win over the Rangers on Wednesday

Vilade extended the lead in the first inning with a two-run shot off of MacKenzie Gore. The super-utility man continues to operate as a small-side platoon player but is helping his case by hitting two homers in his last four games. Vilade has an .804 OPS with nine home runs and 35 RBI in 159 at-bats this season, with most of those opportunities coming against left-handed pitching.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Rangers.

Diaz hit an opposite-field home run off MacKenzie Gore on the first pitch of the game to give the Rays a lead they never looked back on. Diaz has struggled in July, with only a .200 average and three homers in 100 at-bats. However, the 34-year-old is having a great year at the plate overall, slashing .301/.377/.464 with 15 long balls, 62 RBI, 59 runs scored and two steals across 399 at-bats.

Dobnak (1-0) earned the win Wednesday against the Twins, allowing no runs on four hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out four.

It was a season-best showing by Dobnak, who worked his longest outing of the year and set a season high in punchouts. The 31-year-old right-hander has been a serviceable stopgap solution for Kansas City's banged-up rotation, turning in three scoreless appearances so far while giving up no more than two runs in any of his five outings. While his 1.19 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB over 26 innings suggest some regression to his 1.09 ERA is coming, Dobnak should maintain streaming appeal in a rematch next week with a Minnesota team that will once again be without All-Star Byron Buxton (hip).

Ryan (6-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Royals, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out four.

Ryan, who was scratched from Sunday's start against the Athletics due to right arm fatigue, didn't quite qualify for a quality start Wednesday but did give the Twins some length. The All-Star right-hander has stumbled lately, coughing up 12 runs over his past two appearances and watching his season ERA jump from 2.85 following his July 11 start versus the Angels to 3.52 after Wednesday's outing. Ryan, who also sports a 1.11 WHIP and 135:25 K:BB across 120.1 innings, will be aiming to right the ship in a rematch with Kansas City next week if he stays put with the Twins past Monday's trade deadline.

Baker earned the save in Wednesday's win over the Rangers, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts in a scoreless inning.

The right-hander worked around a one-out double to notch his 29th save of the season, and he still sits second in the majors in saves behind Cade Smith (30). The right-handed Baker has now converted 19 consecutive save attempts to give the Rays their third shutout in four games, and he has a 0.75 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB across 24 innings during that former stretch.

Kurtz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the forearm by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz initially remained in the game after taking a 95-mph sinker off his left arm in the first inning, but he was replaced in the field at the start of the second frame. The A's have officially diagnosed him with a contusion, per Gallegos, which suggests that Kurtz managed to escape the incident without suffering a fracture. Jeff McNeil entered the game as Kurtz's replacement at first base and would be the favorite to start if the latter needs to miss time.

Gore (6-9) allowed three runs on three hits and no walks while striking out nine over seven innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Rays.

Gore did not allow a hit for 6.2 innings after giving up two home runs in the first inning, but the Rangers never escaped that early deficit. This was Gore's longest outing since June 25, when he also went seven frames, and is just his second appearance of the season without issuing a walk. The 27-year-old's next outing is scheduled to come against the Giants at home.