Wednesday night was Jonathan Santucci's fourth start since being promoted to Triple-A, but it was his worst with Syracuse.
Going up against Worcester, the Mets' No. 2 prospect allowed six runs on six hits and four walks across four-plus innings while striking out three. In his first three starts in Triple-A, Santucci allowed a combined six runs.
But the night started well for Santucci. The southpaw worked around a leadoff walk in the first and another walk in the second. After a 1-2-3 third inning, the Red Sox would get to Santucci for the first time. Nate Eaton led off with a double before Romy Gonzalez moved him over with a groundout. Allan Castro followed with a groundout of his own, but it pushed Eaton across.
The wheels fell off for Santucci in the fifth. The first three batters reached (walk, single, double) as the Red Sox pushed across two more runs before a couple of major leaguers got to the left-hander. Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled before Trevor Story singled to drive in a run, and Santucci was pulled.
Chris Devenski came in and allowed two of Santucci's runners to score as the Red Sox pushed across six runs in that fifth inning.
On the offensive side, Santucci had plenty of run support. Ronny Mauricio went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and MJ Melendez smashed a two-run shot. But on the prospects front, Nick Morabito finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, while Emilien Pitre (Mets' No. 13 prospect) and Billy Amick (No. 27) went a combined 0-for-9 with a walk in their second games with Syracuse.
Offensive outburst in Double-A
The Rumble Ponies scored 10 runs on Wednesday night and a pair of prospects did a lot of the heavy lifting. Jacob Reimer (No. 8 prospect) went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored while Marco Vargas (unranked) drove in three runs on three hits, including blasting his third home run of the season.
Vargas has been on a tear since returning from the IL. In his last 10 games, Vargas is 18-for-44 with three home runs and 13 RBI.
Jefferson Rojas, the Mets' No. 1 prospect, went 0-for-5.
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) August 19, 2026
Tucker is in the midst of a disappointing first season with the Dodgers, hitting .230 with 11 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .693 OPS. He is the team’s $240 million man, which is why fans have been especially critical of the All-Star.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has earned a reputation as a player’s manager. Getty Images
Despite Tucker’s struggles, Roberts hasn’t lost faith in the outfielder. While there have been calls to rest or demote Tucker, the Dodgers have stuck by their guy and continued to do so Wednesday in Colorado.
Roberts penciled in Tucker for the series finale against the Rockies with left-hander Kyle Freeland on the mound. The Dodgers skipper insisted the move was the best thing he could do for Tucker at this point in the season.
“I think the easy thing for me to do is to not play him. But for me, what I can do, a way of showing support, is by playing him,” Roberts said. “I think he gives us the best chance to win.”
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Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker hasn’t turned a corner amid his ongoing struggles at the plate. Jessie Alcheh for CA Post
While Roberts may believe that is the case, Tucker’s numbers haven’t relayed the same belief. He has accrued a 0.1 bWAR this season.
The Dodgers haven’t been able to pinpoint Tucker’s season-long struggles, but it’s clear the team has continued to show support for the outfielder this year.
The San Diego Padres promoted catching prospect Ethan Salas from Double-A San Antonio to Triple-A El Paso on July 29. Since then, the Padres’ top prospect has made up for the lack of extra-base hits that he had while in San Antonio. If a confidence boost was the goal for the promotion, that goal was achieved.
Salas has destroyed the baseball since arriving with the Chihuahuas. Over the past week, Salas hit .471/.524/.765 with eight RBI. Since his promotion, he has a .377/.453/.698 slash line with a 1.151 OPS, which includes six doubles, a triple, and three homers for 20 RBI. He is the youngest player in the league by four years.
The small sample size should temper expectations, but he has definitely announced his presence with authority. The league will adjust, given enough time, but with only a month left in the season, he could do real damage.
His bio lists Salas at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. In a recent interview with MadFriars.com, Salas reported that his growth over the past year has contributed to his power surge and stated that he is now 6-foot-3 and 210-215 pounds. The 20-year-old also reworked his approach during his time away from the field due to a back injury that robbed him of almost all of the 2025 season.
More roster moves
There were more adjustments made to minor league rosters over the past week. After sending Gage Workman to Triple-A, the Padres released pitcher Misael Tamarez from the El Paso roster. Infielder Dylan Grego was activated and sent to Fort Wayne.
Newly signed draftees were activated and infielder Joe Trioly and first baseman Chris McHugh were placed on the Lake Elsinore roster. Catcher Robbie Lavey was activated and assigned to Fort Wayne, a highly unusual skip of the first A-level for a new draftee.
LHP Miguel Cienfuegos was released from the El Paso roster.
RHP Michael Salina, who was removed from his first start after one inning, was placed on the injured list for Lake Elsinore. He will probably see work in Arizona for the rest of the year.
Free agent RHP Brent Honeywell was signed to a minor league and deal and placed on the El Paso roster.
Outfielder Alex McCoy, 24, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound undrafted free agent from 2024, was promoted from Single-A Fort Wayne to Double-A San Antonio on Aug. 14. After signing, McCoy missed much of the 2025 season with injuries. He had a short run with Lake Elsinore at the end of the year and McCoy started 2026 with Fort Wayne. He has had slumps but always bounced back after making adjustments.
Since his promotion to San Antonio, McCoy has played in three games and is making a memorable first impression. Over his minor league career, he has 158 games played with 24 homers and 101 RBI. For those who would like to get to know this outfielder, who can also play first base, MadFriars.com had an interview on their site earlier this month.
El Paso Chihuahuas (49-70 record, last in PCL East)
Salas has been the highlight for this team since his promotion. They also hosted Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove for his past two rehab starts.
Otherwise, the team has been underwhelming. The past week showed a 2-4 record with some lopsided losses. After acquiring RHP Hunter Stratton in exchange for Andrew Moore at the trade deadline, the Chihuahuas have benefited from five good outings from the reliever. He has six innings pitched and allowed no runs with only four hits.
RHSP Jhony Brito continues to do well with El Paso. He has a 2.70 ERA in 33 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts to nine walks.
The Triple-A season ends on Sept. 20.
San Antonio Missions (51-63 record, last in Texas League South)
Outfielder/first baseman McCoy was promoted on Aug. 14 and has played in three games with 14 plate appearances. He has two doubles and two home runs with six RBI since his arrival. His pattern over the past two levels has been a hot start and then a slump when the league gets a book on him and adjusts. He then struggles for a period of time but then gets hot again as he adjusts to the way he is being pitched. It will be interesting to note if that pattern repeats with Double-A San Antonio. The season ends Sept. 18, leaving a month to watch how this plays out.
RHRP Tucker Musgrove began the season with Fort Wayne and was promoted to Double-A at the break. He has pitched 15.1 innings with a 2.93 ERA and 28 strikeouts to 12 walks. For the season, Musgrove has 34.1 innings pitched with a 3.41 ERA and 68 strikeouts to 25 walks. He still needs a little more work on his command after his return from Tommy John surgery in 2025, but his fastball tops out in triple digits. He is expected to be added to the major league roster this offseason, as he will be Rule 5-eligible in December.
LHSP Luis Gutierrez, 23, is returning from a lat strain and has pitched in three games for the Missions. In his 12 innings pitched, he has a 3.75 ERA. For the season, after returning from injury, Gutierrez has appeared in games for the ACL and Lake Elsinore teams before being assigned to the Missions to complete his rehab. When complete, he will likely need to see more work after the season ends. He is Rule-5 eligible again this year after going unclaimed last December at the age of 22.
Outfielder Jake Cunningham went on the 7-day injured list on Aug. 14.
Fort Wayne TinCaps (46-65 record, last in Midwest League East)
Outfielder Kasen Wells leads the TinCaps with a .264 batting average, with first baseman Luke Cantwell hitting .262. Cantwell has a .404 OBP while outfielder Kavares Tears leads with a .471 slugging percentage. Tears also leads with 13 home runs, and infielder Rosman Verdugo has 49 RBI. This explains the poor record (they were 0-5 this week), but they have had many issues with their pitching.
After Kash Mayfield was traded at the deadline, RHP Carson Montgomery is the most effective starter. He has a 4.58 ERA in 78.2 innings pitched in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. Allowing 45 walks to 67 strikeouts shows a lack of command that could improve after more work. He is Rule-5 eligible this offseason.
Outfielder Ryan Wideman continues to struggle after being a breakout performer in Lake Elsinore. He is hitting .258 with a .275 slugging percentage after 39 games and has only three doubles as extra-base hits. Wideman had a known issue with holes in his swing when drafted, and the toolsy outfielder will need to make adjustments
The Padres made the rare decision to start a college-level drafted player in the High-A level. Catcher/DH Robbie Lavey was drafted in the fourth round last month. He had an evaluation period in Arizona with the bridge league and was assigned to Fort Wayne when all the rest of the assigned draftees went to Lake Elsinore. The lefty-hitting catcher has an advanced approach with the bat but needs development behind the dish. In his four games and 15 plate appearances, Lavey has two home runs, including a homer in his first at-bat.
Lake Elsinore Storm (61-53 record, first in California League South)
Lake Elsinore has benefited from the infusion of players after the draft. The arrival of outfielder Alex Conover, third baseman Nu’u Contrades, first baseman Chris McHugh, and second baseman Joe Tiroly has injected some energy and production into the team.
Catcher Augie Lopez has also been getting some playing time but has not had much success with the bat.
McHugh is hitting .409 with a 1.117 OPS in 5 games with three doubles and a homer. Tiroly is hitting .364 with a .937 OPS in 5 games. Contrades is hitting .324 with a .972 OPS, two doubles, two homers, and eight RBI in 10 games. Conover is hitting .235 with two doubles and two homers with nine RBI.
The Storm have two starters that are worth watching as they move through the system. Cameron Nohos, 23, is an undrafted free agent signed in 2025. He had a brief showing with Lake Elsinore at the end of last season and pitched in the ACL to start this year. The 6-foot-8, 235-lb righty was promoted to Lake Elsinore after the ACL season was completed.
In five games/three games started, Nohos has a 4.58 ERA in 19.2 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts to 10 walks. In his last start with the Storm, he struck out nine in 5.2 innings with three hits and an earned run allowed. He also walked four in the outing. Over his last three starts, Nohos has allowed four earned runs with 22 strikeouts in 15.2 innings pitched.
Jesus Castro, 19, is a right-handed pitcher signed as an international player out of Mexico in January of 2025. He played for the DSL Gold team in the Dominican Republic last season, winning the DSL championship. He had a 2.91 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched.
He hasn’t been quite that dominant with Lake Elsinore, but the 3.96 ERA over 77.1 innings is still a good result for a teenager. Castro has made 18 starts in his 19 appearances and has 88 strikeouts to 28 walks.
RHP Tyler Schmitt, 22, was drafted in the 17th round of the 2025 draft. He has quietly put together a good first pro season as a Padre. In 20 games/17 starts, Schmitt has a 4.76 ERA in 87 innings with 94 strikeouts to 46 walks.
DSL Gold and Brown
The Gold team has a 40-15 record, first in the Northwest Division. First baseman Sebastian Nadales has a .429 average in 78 plate appearances. C/1B/RF Dayquer Alfonzo is hitting .337/.470/.542 in 219 plate appearances and leads the team with four homers and 49 RBI.
LHP Carlos Alvarez has a 3.25 ERA in 44.1 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts and 20 walks.
Reliever Albert Perez leads all the pitchers with 40 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched.
The Brown team has a 11-43 record, last in the West Division. 1B/LF/2B Gabriel Teran remains their best hitter. He has played in 23 games with a .382 batting average and 1.106 OPS. He leads the team with three home runs. IF/DH Osmy Osorio has a .653 OPS but leads the team in RBI with 23.
The pitching for the Brown team has struggled, with only one pitcher having an ERA below 4.00. Righty reliever Angel Gamarra has a 3.44 ERA in 18.1 innings, striking out 16 and walking 22. The strikeout leader, reliever Dioscaride Sarit, has 27 strikeouts and 39 walks with a 11.48 ERA. RHP Raudi Perez has the most innings with 37 IP but has a 6.81 ERA with only 19 strikeouts.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Matthew Liberatore #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 19, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the St. Louis Cardinals to have a good chance of taking down the Cincinnati Reds and their All-Star starter Chase Burns Wednesday night, they’d need the best version of Matthew Liberatore. They got that and some clutch two-strike hitting, too. Well, they got that for 5 innings. The 6th inning was a different story entirely. By the time the late innings arrived, even the Cardinals were helping to defeat the Cardinals. Let’s sort out this mess that eventually became a very dramatic ending.
Both pitchers were shutting down the opposing lineups for the first 3 innings, but the St. Louis Cardinals finally broke through in the top of the 4th inning. They almost scored in the top of the 3rd inning when JJ Wetherholt ripped a double to center with Blaze Jordan running on the pitch, but he did not live up to his first name and was easily thrown out at the plate. I’m not one to talk, but Blaze seriously looked like he was running in slow motion. The 4th inning would be different, though, as Alec Burleson drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Burns. He would fortunately run a lot faster (so to speak) than Blaze Jordan and scored when Nathan Church singled on a two-strike count giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
After Masyn Winn walked which moved Church up to second, Bryan Torres also singled with two strikes to score Church doubling the St. Louis lead to 2-0.
Matthew Liberatore accomplished many things Wednesday night. First, his game management was stellar as his pitch count was only in the 60’s by the time he reached the bottom of the 5th inning. He also surpassed his career high for strikeouts in a season. The one thing he did not accomplish was getting through the 6th inning without allowing damage. It all started innocently enough when McLain hit a one-out double to left. Next up was Elly De La Cruz who hit a shot up the middle that a leaping JJ Wetherholt could not snatch as it glanced off of his glove into centerfield giving the Reds runners at first and third with just one out. Matthew then unfortunately grooved a 94 mph four-seam fastball to Sal Stewart who blasted it 422 into the grass above the centerfield wall for a 3-run homer giving the Reds their first lead of the game at 3-2.
Matthew Liberatore’s night could be separated into the first 5 innings when he was the lights out shut down pitcher we all hoped he would become. He struck out 9 and didn’t walk anyone, but since he was allowed to enter the bottom of the 6th, we have to count that against him. Just a couple of meatball pitches, but that was enough to allow the Reds to takeover the lead which is a crying shame.
The Cardinals threatened to strike back in the top of the 7th when Herrera and Walker drew walks, but José Fermín popped out with runners at first and third to end the St. Louis 7th with no runs to show for it. Manager Oli Marmol brought in Luis Gastelum to handle the Reds in the bottom of the 7th. He was up to the task and set the Reds down 1-2-3.
The Reds removed Chase Burns after 5 innings as his pitch count hit 104. Moll, Burke and Mey were their relievers Wednesday night with Mey facing the Cardinals in the top of the 8th. He struck out Masyn Winn to start the inning. Next up was Joshua Baez who had a great at-bat where he drew a very patient walk. Blaze Jordan was unable to advance Baez into scoring position when he struck out after a wise ABS challenge. Baez did steal second on the second strike to Jimmy Crooks to get himself into scoring position, but it would be all for naught when Crooks struck out to end the Cardinals 8th.
The Cardinals apparently decided to help the Reds defeat them in the bottom of the 8th inning when Trevino led off with a single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch by St. Louis reliever Justin Bruihl that he threw to the backstop. McLain then laid down a nearly perfect sacrifice bunt that Blaze Jordan double-pumped on and then threw the ball past Burleson at first into right field scoring Trevino and giving Cincinnati a 4-2 lead. Elly De La Cruz flew out to center which advanced McLain to third with just one out. The Cardinals intentionally walked Sal Stewart which was smart, but also ended up being useless when Myers laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in him at first when no one covered first scoring McLain and giving (literally) the Reds a commanding 5-2 lead. It could have been worse. If not for the pop-out by Friedl with the bases loaded, the game could have really gotten out of control.
The top of the St. Louis Cardinals order would need to dial up some heroism to make a comeback in the top of the 9th to salvage the dumpster fire that was the bottom of the 8th inning. JJ Wetherholt, who had 2 hits on the night, lead off the inning by being hit by a pitch. Iván Herrera flew out to left for the first out as the rain started to pick up again. Alec Burleson ripped a ball down the first base line, but his bat broke and the ball was grabbed by Stewart who stepped on first base for the second out. The Cardinals were not quite done as Jordan Walker blasted a pitch to the opposite field over the wall for a 2-run homer getting St. Louis within a run at 5-4.
José Fermín then ripped a double down the left field line to give the Cardinals the tying run at second base and the potential winning run coming up to the plate in the form of Masyn Winn. The Reds seemed interested in helping the Cardinals as Pagan threw a wild pitch that moved Fermín to third. With the tying run just 90 feet away, Masyn Winn grounded out weakly down the third base line that Pagan managed to grab and throw him out at first. So freaking close.
The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up the Cincinnati part of their road trip Thursday afternoon as they take on the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Michael McGreevy will start the game for the Cardinals while the Reds will turn to RHP Brady Singer. First pitch is scheduled for 11:40am central time and the game broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.
Baltimore designated hitter Pete Alonso reacts in frustration after what appeared to be a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning was ruled fouled after a review in the Orioles' loss to the Yankees.
BALTIMORE — The Yankees certainly seem to have caught a break against the Orioles.
Pete Alonso, along with all of his teammates in the Orioles dugout, was sure he’d hit a dramatic, go-ahead homer in the bottom of the seventh of a tie game Wednesday night against the Yankees at Camden Yards.
In near Carlton Fisk-fashion after crushing a pitch from lefty Brent Headrick, Alonso watched the ball as he walked down the first base line.
The ball seemingly sailed over the left field foul pole.
He flipped his bat away, convinced he’d just hit his 30th homer of the season — and second of the night.
Instead, home plate umpire Ryan Wills called the ball foul, much to Alonso’s disgust.
After a lengthy replay delay, the call stood and to make matters worse for Baltimore, the Yankees scratched out two runs in the eighth en route to a 5-3 win.
Pete Alonso rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of the Yankees’ 5-3 win over the Orioles on August 19, 2026, in Baltimore. AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
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A livid Alonso, who’d homered in the third inning off Will Warren, was forced to continue the at-bat.
He eventually went down swinging to keep the game tied.
As he walked back to the dugout, Alonso had words with Wills, but remained in the game.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Progressive Field on August 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
(Editor’s note: Welcome, Jake Brahney, to the CTC writing team!)
OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called ‘two in a row’. If we win again tomorrow, it’s called a ‘winning streak’. It has happened before.
The Guardians entered Wednesday night looking for back to back wins for the first time since July 21st. They would need to do so well shy of full strength, as Chase DeLauter and Jo Adell were out of the lineup nursing injuries, and David Fry (fresh in from Columbus for injured Rhys Hoskins) just got back to Cleveland today. Unfortunate that 3 of our “best” options vs Lefties aren’t in the lineup, but that’s baseball, Suzyn…
A shorthanded lineup vs a LHP making his debut; what could go wrong?!
In any event, fans were treated to a Big Lefty Headliner of a Pitching Matchup tonight, as Cleveland’s Rookie All Star Parker Messick faced off against a former Guardian prospect making his MLB debut; Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson. To those familiar with Cleveland’s Farm System (or at least “Guards Twitter”), Wilkinson is hardly a new name. A 10th round pick in the ‘23 Draft, “Tugboat” had made waves in MiLB going from JUCO to dominating A/A+ ball in just a year. After a somewhat down 2025 (and knowing that Wilkinson would be Rule 5 eligible this upcoming Winter), the Guardians traded him and a Compensatory Draft pick to the Giants for Captain Clutch and Catching Savant, Patrick Bailey.
So far, it would appear that everyone is happy with the trade, as Bailey has shown his value behind the dish and at many times, at it, while Wilkinson has gone from AA to an MLB debut in just 3 months.
And how did that debut go?
I would call it “effectively wild”. Wilkinson struggled getting ahead in counts, but when he did get the Guardians to swing, he induced a lot of weak contact, often jamming guys inside and getting infield popups as a result. Tugboat left after 2 successful innings, facing 7 batters and giving up 1 hit. He was far from the story in game as many pumped him up to be beforehand.
Meanwhile, if Wilkinson is a Tugboat, Messick is an Aircraft Carrier. Through 3 innings he had 5 strikeouts on 9 swings and misses. He was cruising early, and it looked like another night where he might just need 1.
Unfortunately, the Guardians lack of focus this season reared its ugly head in the 4th. Devers lead off the inning with a double that could’ve been a single had Halpin picked up the ball cleanly (or not taken his time getting it in). Add in a Wild pitch that Hedges couldn’t get in front of, and the Giants had a man on 3rd without much doing. Messick was able to induce weak outs, however, with 2 outs, Rocchio couldn’t come up with one in the hole and the Giants took a cheap 1-0 lead. A quick double and fly out ended the threat at just 1, thanks in part to some great defense (or at least the threat of it) from Steven Kwan.
So the Guardians were trailing even though they had a great pitcher on the mound. Stop if you’ve heard this before. Would they do anything about it? Would the offense pick up the defense?
Well, in the bottom of the 4th, Cleveland started a 2 out rally when Angel Martinez squeaked under a glove and Bazzana rocked a double down the line in right. Bazz maybe hit it a little too hard (not a criticism, just an unfortunate happening) as the ball bounced right back to the RF, holding Martinez at 3rd. It was up to Angel Genao, who would hit a laser to LF but was caught on a dive by Victor Bericoto. A 2 run catch keeps the lead for San Fran after 4.
The deeper we went into the game, the more important that catch would be. The Guardians would threaten again in the 7th, thanks to a 2-out error by Adames, but couldn’t take advantage. With 2 on and 2 out and a 2-0 count, Brayan Rocchio popped one up on the infield and the Guardians would head to the 8th down 1-0.
They would “threaten” one more time (threaten like a toddler with a knife is technically a threat, maybe more to themself but by definition, it’s a threat) in the 8th. To everyone’s surprise, Houser stayed in to start the 8th, quickly walking Steven Kwan. Next pitch was a pass ball and just like that, all we needed were productive outs or hits from Jose/Lowe/Martinez…. I’m sure you know how this story ends. All 3 would strike out and the Guardians would continue their struggles to even make contact with men in scoring position.
Like so many other games over the past few months, the pitching did everything they could to keep the Guardians in the game, but the offense just couldn’t string together anything meaningful. Adrian Houser fit the mold of a classic 2026 Guard Killer, throwing 5 shutout innings out of the bullpen, earning himself the Win. Messick was the tough luck Loser tonight, going 6.2 IP with a career high 10 strikeouts on just 6 hits and 0 walks.
The Guardians will go for the series Win tomorrow afternoon (1:10 PM) when Gavin Williams takes the mound vs Landen Roupp.
It didn’t work out that way, at least this time around.
Skenes lasted just 4 1/3 innings and 81 pitches on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts, though Pittsburgh did secure a 4-3 win over the Tigers at PNC Park.
Paul Skenes walks off of the field after being removed from the game in the fifth inning of the Pirates’ 4-3 win over the Tigers at PNC Park on Aug. 19, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Skenes did throw 21 pitches at 97 mph or harder, which was better than the 96.5 mph high-water mark he hit in his last outing — a 65-pitch effort — against the Marlins on Aug. 11.
The right-hander was originally slated to pitch Sunday against the Red Sox, but was instead pushed back to face Detroit in the middle of the week. Manager Don Kelly clarified that Skenes was not dealing with an injury but was intended to give him a “few more days to recover.”
Skenes did last 15 more pitches this start, but the four free passes he issued matched a season high.
“I think there’s been a lot of good,” Skenes said, according to MLB.com. “I think there’s some stuff, the walks. It’s frustrating. Nobody wants to go out there and walk anybody. Nobody’s trying to. … Felt good. Just a little out of sync, I guess, kind of the whole outing, which probably makes sense a little bit with the longer rotation. But nice to be back.”
Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winner in 2024 and 2025, respectively, has a 3.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 139 innings this season. That stands in contrast to his first two seasons, in which he recorded a 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
Infielder Brandon Lowe said sky-high expectations had people far too worried about Skenes’ results in 2026. If Skenes finishes the year, he should break the 200-strikeout threshold again after he notched 216 last season.
“I think the world’s been spoiled on who Paul Skenes really is,” Lowe said, according to the Associated Press. “He had probably the best starting stretch to a career ever.
Paul Skenes pitches in the third inning of the Pirates’ win over the Tigers. Getty Images
“And now he’s not the greatest pitcher on the face of the planet for a few months, and people were worried and freaking out a bit.”
Skenes added that getting things on track will come down to making sure he’s taking a look at “objective” things.
“Just objective numbers, watching the game, execution, all that stuff,” he said. “Not anything from the outside.”
Aug 19, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
As I searched for pictures of Aaron Nola to use for this recap, I found a picture of a rhinoceros instead. It turns out that there’s a zoo in France that has a rhino named Nola; I choose to believe that this is not coincidental, and that somewhere out there is a Francophone cheering group for Nola: “Courbe de l’articulation! Courbe de l’articulation!”, they cry as he unleashes the knuckle curve on hapless opponents. At any rate, Nola was as tough as a rhino’s horn tonight.
After a quiet first, the Phillies got rolling in the second. Luis Arraez singled to lead off the inning, and after the next two Phillies made outs, Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford singled to load the bases. That brought up Garrett Stubbs, who grounded to short. He sprinted to first with the copious amount of enthusiasm he brings to every endeavor; the result was the umpire flinging his arms wide in that signal beloved by baserunners everywhere, and the Phillies leading 1-0. The next Phillies runs would come in more bombastic fashion: Arraez sent a ball flying into the right field seats for a two-run homer in the bottom of the third.
Meanwhile, Aaron Nola kept mowing down Marlins. Through five innings the Fish had two hits, and five of them had struck out at Nola’s hand, four on the knuckle curve. It couldn’t last forever: in the top of the sixth Javier Sanoja slapped a sinker over the left field wall; a textbook line-drive homer. But the solo shots won’t kill you, and this one was a survivable blow. What happened afterward was a little more worrying, as Nola allowed singles to the next two batters. Sequencing is a quiet but mighty force in baseball, and here it was the difference between a manageable solo shot and a tied game. Nola steadied himself, broke out the knuckle curve, and gave the next two Marlins bright red Ks to wear, Hester Prynnes for the national pastime. Nola pitched through the seventh, finishing, fittingly, by making a Fish flail at a knuckle curve.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kyle Schwarber singled and Trea Turner doubled. Schwarber headed home, but center fielder Jakob Marsee flung the ball homeward like an angler throwing a lure into the water; after a relay from the shortstop, Schwarber was called out at home. The Phillies challenged, and the replay showed that Miami backstop Joe Mack may have whiffed on his tag attempt. After a lengthy review, the umpires ruled that Schwarber had indeed made it home safely. Don Mattingly smiled serenely in the dugout as Citizens Bank Park erupted in cheers.
Jonathan Bowlan took over after Nola. He does have a curveball, but deploys it quite sparingly (just eight times this season); perhaps that’s for the best, as just about any curve would struggle to fill the shoes (tunnel?) of Nola’s tonight. He navigated through the seventh without allowing the Marlins to narrow the lead, thanks in part to an excellent catch by Marsh in foul territory.
With the Phillies up by a couple, the sequence that would follow was obvious to all: Jhoan Duran would emerge from the dugout with the traditional fanfare, he would bedevil the Marlins with his blazing heater, and would allow no more than perhaps a stray hit or two as he slammed the door. And that is exactly what happened. I take great pride, valued TGP reader, in writing each and every one of these recaps from scratch, but in truth I could copy-paste the Duran sections and nobody would notice. He is as predictable as a Christmas Story coming on TV every holiday season.
The Phillies are 70-58. They’ll return to action at 6:40 on Friday, as a series against the Cardinals begins.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 18: Andy Pages #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the dugout in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Roki Sasaki faces Kyle Freeland as the Dodgers look to sweep the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday.
The Diamondbacks still don’t have many answers for the Ketel Marte situation.
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen joined “Arizona Sports 98.7’s Wolf & Luke Show” on Wednesday and said he was set to meet with the star second baseman on Thursday, but didn’t divulge much more.
“I don’t have a lot of details. I know everybody is itching for details. I don’t have a lot that I can really share at this point in time. He’s obviously flying back here for an MRI tomorrow.” Hazen said.
“We are fully committed to helping in any way that we can figure out how this gets better and moves forward. … We have been that way since day one, and we always have been.”
General manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on before Game Three of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Getty Images
Hazen added that he couldn’t say if Marte would play again in 2026, saying “there’s a lot of variables,” but that he’ “hopeful” the All-Star can get back on the field.
“I just love for him and care for him, he’ll be OK,” Lovullo said after the game.
Arizona then placed him on the restricted list — a designation for players away from the team without a reason and without pay.
Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images
ESPN reported at the time that Marte was dealing with a “personal situation.”
It’s the second straight season Marte has ended up on the restricted list after landing there in 2025 when he returned to the Dominican Republic and missed three games.
“Look, players go through things. It’s a long season. Things happen,” Hazen said. “We deal with stuff that you never hear about … There’s no playbook. There’s no blueprint.”
BALTIMORE — Though their recent surge may help the Mets avoid going down as perhaps the most disappointing team in franchise history, Pete Alonso is a few hours south, having another season in which he’s been among the league’s best hitters.
And after a sluggish start with the Orioles, the first baseman has his new team in wild-card contention, and he is on the verge of another 30-homer season.
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With a trip back to Citi Field less than a month away, Alonso said Wednesday he’s not seeking revenge on his former team, which didn’t want him back on a multiyear deal.
“Honestly, for me, nothing is spiteful,’’ Alonso said before hitting his 29th homer of the season, a solo shot, in the third inning of Baltimore’s 5-3 loss to the Yankees. He also appeared to hit another solo shot in the seventh inning, but it was ruled foul, which sparked controversy.
“During the free agent process, the Orioles were the front-runners the entire time. For me to be in a place where they see me here not for the short term but a long-term period of time, [and] not just a valuable piece from a production standpoint but a cornerstone of the franchise, I want to make good on their belief in me. I do that by playing well and helping win ballgames. It’s as simple as that.”
The Mets’ plan to replace Alonso and Brandon Nimmo with Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien in the infield, and Luis Robert Jr. in the outfield, proved to be a disastrous miscalculation.
Orioles DH Pete Alonso runs home to score a run during the sixth inning of a game against the Rays earlier this season. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The team has stunningly gotten better following the trades of valuable pieces like Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver and other members of the bullpen.
Alonso has kept an eye on his former team and said he’s pleased Sean Manaea is pitching better, and Francisco Lindor is healthy and doing well.
But the series against his old team is too far away for him to give it much thought, especially as the Orioles try to get to the playoffs.
“We play the New York Yankees today in a huge divisional battle,’’ Alonso said. “Obviously, [the series versus the Mets] is not at the top of my priority list right now. I want to focus on today and every team we’re playing. I know it’s coming down the road pretty soon, but we have business to take care of every single day.”
Rays’ Chandler Simpson dives back safely to first ahead of the pickoff throw to the Orioles’ Pete Alonso. AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
Since the end of April, few have done that better than Alonso — just three players have an OPS higher than Alonso’s .915 over his past 96 games. He credits the improvement to getting comfortable in his new surroundings, as well as adapting to fatherhood.
“It’s a big change,’’ Alonso said. “Now, things are firing on all cylinders.”
The Orioles opened Wednesday a game out of the final AL wild-card spot.
“It’s a really exciting time,’’ Alonso said. “Any team where you’re only a game out of a playoff spot deep into August, a lot of people will take it. We haven’t played our best baseball collectively, but I feel as we’ve gained some momentum moving along in the second half, our best baseball is ahead of us. … We’ve done a really good job being resilient, not just individually, but as a group. I’m really proud of how the team has fought and faced adversity. It’s been really fun to be a part of.”
Edwin Díaz got some good news Wednesday. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
The imaging Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz underwent in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning revealed a “best-case scenario,” manager Dave Roberts said before the series finale against the Rockies.
“There were no findings, so that was good,” Roberts said. “MRI was clean. It doesn’t change the fact that he had this sensation in his neck. But I think to keep working on it, give it some rest as far as throwing the baseball.”
Díaz officially went on the IL for “neck inflammation,” but early theories on the injury, before he went to a specialist on Wednesday, suggested the issue could be related to the area around the trapezius, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Roberts said Wednesday that the results suggested the injury was more muscular, rather than nerve related.
“I think he’d been feeling the tightness in his neck,” Roberts said. “But I think where it went to the other night, he hadn’t felt that sensation. So that’s what really checked him up.”
Roberts said he didn’t know exactly how long Díaz would be shut down from throwing, but he estimated that it probably would be only a couple of days.
The bullpen shuffle continued Wednesday, when the Dodgers activated right-hander Brock Stewart (right shoulder discomfort) from the 15-day IL. In a corresponding move, they designated right-hander Jonathan Hernández for assignment.
Before the Mets beat the Padres 4-2 at Citi Field to complete a series victory, interim manager Andy Green indicated Polanco plans to undergo season-ending surgery for the ailment.
Green said Polanco, who arrived on a two-year contract worth $40 million, will likely enter spring training in a baseball progression.
“He’s battled this all year, something he’s had to deal with prior to the season,” Green said. “It’s gotten to the point he just can’t get freedom from the pain. He has gone out there grinding and tried to. He’s wanted to post for this team and it’s at a point now where surgery is actually his best option.”
Polanco, 31, owned a .431 OPS over 37 games this season.
Signed to play first base as Pete Alonso’s replacement, he appeared in only two games at the position.
Jorge Polanco was placed on the injured list Wednesday with left ankle bursitis and will undergo season-ending surgery. AP
Polanco’s first IL stint lasted three months (he originally was sidelined by a bone bruise in his wrist, but the persistent ankle issues prolonged his absence).
“He’s been an unbelievable teammate in the clubhouse and I know he’s felt the burden of producing for the team, city and for the fans,” Green said. “I know that has been heavy on him at times and just my observation from seeing him hit and watching him produce, it has affected him mechanically — the ability to load on that back foot the way he typically does. I don’t think he’s wanting to make excuses, so I am not sure he will even say that.”
Austin Warren threw a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts in his return from a right forearm strain. Warren had last pitched July 7.
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Jared Young finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and has an .887 OPS over his last 35 games.
Utility man Eric Wagaman was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take Polanco’s roster spot.
The Mets also recalled RHP Chayce McDermott and optioned RHP Jack Weisenburger.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 14: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies takes the sign from the catcher during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Friday, August 14, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Although the Colorado Rockies fared better in their second game against the Los Angeles Dodgers than they did in the first, they are still searching their first win during this home stand.
Colorado has lost five straight at home, their second-longest losing streak at Coors this year (6, April 23-May 6). Overall, the Rockies have gone 8-9 over their last 17 games since July 31. Since June 1, 2024, Colorado is 7-30 against the Dodgers with the club being outscored by 105 runs (249-144) in that span. The Rockies are 5-15 at Coors Field in that span with Colorado’s starters posting a 7.36 ERA (95.1 IP, 78 ER).
Starting for the Dodgers is Roki Sasaki. This will be his 22nd start for the Dodgers in 2026.
The righty has a 4.46 ERA in 111.0 IP. He’s struck out 108, walked 45, and given up 21 home runs. Sasaki has a 1.29 WHIP. His last start was against the Milwaukee Brewers where he earned a no-decision. Worth noting, he walked a career high-tying five hitters (fourth time).
Taking the mound for the Rockies will be LHP Kyle Freeland.
This will mark the 29th start of his career against the Dodgers. His 28 starts entering today are the most against the Dodgers by any active pitcher. Freeland has 12 quality starts against them since his first year in the Majors (2017). They are the most by any pitcher against the Dodgers in that span.
Currently, Freeland has an ERA of 6.27 in 120.2 IP. He’s struck out 98 while giving up 27 walks and 22 home runs with a 1.44 WHIP.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 19: Erik Miller #67 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after pitching the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Fenway Park on August 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox had chances to pull away and also come back in a wild Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park, culminating in a 7-6 loss in 10 innings.
From Mickey Gasper’s third straight game with a homer to another long ball allowed by Greg Weissert, the Red Sox still looked far better than the group that struggled for three previous series.
Here’s three takeaways from Wednesday afternoon’s loss.
CARROLL’S CAROUSEL
Not that he would’ve been able to rob either of these, but Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll had quite the time trying to track these fly balls off the bats of Nick Sogard and Jarren Duran on a pair of solo blasts for the Red Sox.
TOLLE SETS THE TONE Payton Tolle looked sharp for the early innings of this start before the Diamondbacks forced him to labor by the fifth inning. The Red Sox starter let multiple hitters off the hook in two-strike counts and surrendered the lead in the fifth inning.
Tolle allowed three earned runs in five innings of work with 98 pitches on the afternoon while he struck out six Diamondbacks.
While he took a step back from his previous run of starts, today feels like an easy outing to push past for Tolle as he should have one more start in August in an overall strong month.
TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS VS. NL
The Red Sox still won the series against Arizona after losing three consecutive series before then at the end of the 32-7 stretch that turned the season around. Boston should have the upper hand in the next two series when they host the Giants and visit the Marlins before a massive weekend series in New York with the Yankees to close out the month.
