Braves' Jim Johnson named National League Player of the Week

Relief pitcher Jim Johnson of the Atlanta Braves has been named the National League Player of the Week for the week ending July 31st. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Johnson was tied for the Major League lead in saves last week, converting each of his four save opportunities while not allowing a run over his 4.0 innings pitched (0.00 ERA). The right-hander held opponents to just one hit and issued only two walks last week while retiring five of the 14 batters he faced by way of strikeout.

On Tuesday, Johnson notched his third save of the season with a perfect ninth inning, preserving a 2-0 victory at Minnesota. The 33-year-old induced a groundball out from Twins outfielder Max Kepler and got designated hitter Kennys Vargas to fly out to center before fanning outfielder Eddie Rosario to end the game. Johnson was equally efficient in Wednesday's outing, setting the Twins down in order on a groundout and a pair of strikeouts to earn the save in a 9-7 victory. It marked the first time this season that the veteran had converted consecutive save opportunities. The Johnson City, New York native continued his streak by earning his fifth save of the season in Friday's 2-1 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. He converted his sixth opportunity of the year in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Phillies, punctuating his weekly performance by fanning catcher Carlos Ruiz to end the game. This is the first career Player of the Week honor for the 2012 American League All-Star, who has played in parts of 11 Major League seasons. Johnson, who posted back-toback 50-save seasons in 2012 (51) and 2013 (50), becomes the first reliever to be named NL Player of the Week since Miami's Steve Cishek was named for the week of July 21-27, 2014.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Cincinnati's Jay Bruce (4 HR, 7 RBI, .762 SLG); Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez (.301, HR, 8 RBI, .577 SLG); Miami's Martin Prado (.346, 9 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .692 SLG); Neil Walker (.545, 12 H, HR, 5 RBI, .818 SLG) of the New York Mets; Milwaukee's Chase Anderson (2-0, 1.80 ERA, 12 SO, 10.0 IP); and Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole (1-0, 1.00 ERA, CG, 6 SO, 9.0 IP).

In recognition of his National League Player of the Week Award, Jim Johnson will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com. 

Rangers' Mitch Moreland named American League Player of the Week

Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending July 31st. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Moreland batted .455 (10-for-22) with six runs scored, five home runs and nine RBI over seven games to claim his first career AL Player of the Week Award. Mitch paced the Majors in home runs, slugging percentage (1.136) and total bases (25). Among AL leaders, he also finished the period tied for first in RBI, second in batting average, tied for second in runs scored, tied for third in extrabase hits (5), tied for fourth in hits and seventh in on-base percentage (.478).

In Thursday night's series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Park in Arlington, the Mississippi native went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, including the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning that propelled the Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the defending champions. It marked his second multi-homer game of the 2016 campaign (also June 10th) and 10th of his career. On Saturday against the Royals, the left-handed slugger delivered a game-ending home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the club's fourth walk-off win in 2016. The Rangers' three walk-off homers this season are tied for third-most in Major League Baseball, trailing the Seattle Mariners (6) and San Diego Padres (4). Saturday night was the Mississippi State University product's second career walk-off home run, last accomplishing the feat on June 21, 2011 vs. Houston Astros. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Moreland is just the third first baseman in franchise history with multiple walk-off homers, joining Pete O'Brien (3) and Rafael Palmeiro (2). With a round-tripper in Sunday's series finale with Kansas City, Moreland logged his fourth homer in as many days, while driving in a run for his career-high sixth consecutive game. Since 2014, no Rangers player has recorded a longer streak. This week's five-homer output gives the seven-year veteran seven home runs since the Midsummer Classic in San Diego, matching Khris Davis of the Oakland Athletics for most in the AL. With a 5-2 record during Moreland's award-winning week, the Rangers now lead the AL West by six games with a 62-44 record.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Miguel Cabrera (.429, 7 R, 4 HR, 9 RBI) and Justin Verlander (2-0, 1.80 ERA, 1 CG, 16 SO) of the Detroit Tigers; Brian Dozier (.385, 7 R, 4 2B, 20 TB) of the Minnesota Twins; Brad Miller (.381, 5 R, 3 2B, .905 SLG) of the Tampa Bay Rays; Adam Jones (.321, 5 R, 3 HR, 8 RBI) of the Baltimore Orioles; and Tyler Skaggs (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 12.1 IP, 13 SO) of the Los Angeles Angels, following his first two starts after returning from Tommy John Surgery.

In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Mitch Moreland will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

Mets recall infielder Matt Reynolds

The New York Mets today announced the club has recalled infielder Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. Reynolds will wear No. 15 and will be available for tonight's game.

Reynolds, 25, was also with the Mets from May 17-29 and June 3-July 5. He is hitting .233 (10-for-43) with five doubles, one home run and six RBIs in 27 games in his first season in the Majors. 

Reynolds is 5-for-15 (.333) vs. left-handers.

Reynolds was batting .234 (46-for-197) with 10 doubles, two home runs and 15 RBIs in 51 games with Las Vegas. 

Mets acquire outfielder Jay Bruce from Cincinnati

FLUSHING, N.Y. – The New York Mets today announced that the club has acquired three-time All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for infielder Dilson Herrera and minor league lefthanded pitcher Max Wotell.

Bruce, 29, was named an All-Star for a third time this season and is batting .265 (98-370) with 22 doubles, six triples, 25 home runs, 80 RBI and a .559 slugging percentage in 97 games. His 80 RBI lead the National League (fourth in the major leagues) while his 25 home runs are tied for fourth-most in the NL. He's one of three players in the majors this season to have at least 22 doubles, 25 home runs and 80 RBI (the other two are Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion and Boston's David Ortiz). Additionally, Bruce is batting .360 (32-89) with eight home runs and 52 RBI with runners in scoring position.

His All-Star selection earlier this year was his first since being named a back-to-back NL All-Star in 2011 and 2012. The Beaumont, TX native is also a two-time Silver Slugger award winner (2012 and 2013).

Last season, Bruce batted .226 (131-580) with 35 doubles, four triples, 26 home runs and 87 RBI in 157 games. He was one of nine major leaguers with at least 35 doubles, 26 home runs and 87 RBI. He finished the season with the ninth-most extra-base hits in the National League. His 45 RBI following the All-Star break were eighth-most in the NL. In the outfield, Bruce recorded 11 outfield assists, third-most for a National League outfielder.

Since 2011, Bruce has 165 homers, 10th-most for any major league player while his 538 RBI in that time are seventh-most in the majors since 2011. Since his debut in 2008, Bruce has 233 career home runs, fifth-most in the major leagues for a lefthanded hitter while his 718 career RBI in that time are the sixth-most for a lefthanded hitter.

In 1,220 career games across nine major league seasons, Bruce has batted .249 (1,116-4,481) with 238 doubles, 27 triples, 233 home runs and 718 RBI.

Herrera, 22, has played in 86 games for Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League this season and batted .276 (99-359) with 24 doubles, 13 home runs and 55 RBI. Last season, Herrera played in 31 games for the Mets, batting .211 (19-90) with three doubles, one triple, three home runs and six RBI. In 49 career major league games, all with the Mets, Herrera batted .215 (32-149) with three doubles, two triples, six home runs and 17 RBI.

Wotell, 20, was the Mets' third-round selection in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. In six starts for Kingsport (R) of the Appalachian League this season, Wotell is 3-1 with a 3.94 ERA (13 earned runs/29.2 innings) and 31 strikeouts. In two minor league seasons, Wotell is 3-2 with a 3.57 ERA (16 earned runs/40.1 innings) in 15 games (six starts).

Red Sox Acquire Left-handed Pitcher Fernando Abad from Minnesota

BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox today acquired left-handed relief pitcher Fernando Abad from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Pat Light.

President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.

Abad, 30, has made 39 relief appearances with the Twins this season, going 1-4 with a 2.65 ERA (10 ER/34.0 IP) and .220 opponent batting average, including a .269 average on balls in play. He has allowed only two home runs (0.53 HR/9.0 IP) and eight extra-base hits, holding opposing hitters to a .317 slugging percentage. Abad has held left-handed batters to a .458 OPS, the fifth-lowest mark among American League relievers who have faced at least 50 lefties.

Originally signed by Houston as a non-drafted free agent in 2002, Abad is 6-24 with one save and a 3.58 ERA (104 ER/261.1 IP) in 297 major league appearances (six starts) between the Astros (2010-12), Washington Nationals (2013), Oakland A's (2014-15), and Twins (2016). Since the start of 2013, the Dominican Republic native has posted a 2.85 ERA (56 ER/176.2 IP) and .227 opponent batting average in 209 appearances, all in relief.

Light, 25, made his major league debut this season, making two relief appearances in a pair of big league stints and allowing eight runs (seven earned) over 2.2 innings. The right-handed reliever has spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Pawtucket, going 1-1 with a 2.32 ERA (8 ER/31.0 IP) and 36 strikeouts while converting each of seven save opportunities. In five professional seasons since being selected in the supplemental round of the 2012 June Draft, Light has gone 13-18 with 12 saves, a 4.40 ERA (142 ER/290.2 IP), and 240 strikeouts in 122 games (including 49 starts).

MLB Transactions from July 31, 2016

Chicago Cubs optioned Justin Grimm to Iowa Cubs.
New York Yankees traded LHP Andrew Miller to Cleveland Indians for RHP Ben Heller, CF Clint Frazier, RHP J.P. Feyereisen and LHP Justus Sheffield.
Chicago White Sox traded LHP Zach Duke to St. Louis Cardinals for CF Charlie Tilson.
Chicago White Sox activated LHP Carlos Rodon from the 15-day disabled list.
St. Louis Cardinals sent SS Jhonny Peralta on a rehab assignment to Palm Beach Cardinals.
Miami Marlins placed RHP Colin Rea on the 15-day disabled list. Right elbow sprain.
Miami Marlins recalled Nefi Ogando from New Orleans Zephyrs.
Arizona Diamondbacks traded RHP Tyler Clippard to New York Yankees for RHP Vicente Campos.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Max Moroff from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Steven Brault to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates activated LHP Felipe Rivero.
Atlanta Braves recalled Daniel Castro from Gwinnett Braves.
Atlanta Braves placed LHP Matt Marksberry on the 15-day disabled list. Left rotator cuff inflammation.
Kansas City Royals placed RHP Wade Davis on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 27, 2016. Right flexor strain.
Kansas City Royals recalled Matt Strahm from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Cleveland Indians designated LF Joey Butler for assignment.
San Diego Padres selected the contract of LF Jabari Blash from El Paso Chihuahuas.
Washington Nationals activated RHP Mark Melancon.
Washington Nationals optioned Reynaldo Lopez to Syracuse Chiefs.
Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Austin Barnes to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers activated LF Enrique Hernandez from the 15-day disabled list.
Toronto Blue Jays sent Junior Lake outright to Buffalo Bisons.
Arizona Diamondbacks recalled Evan Marshall from Reno Aces.
St. Louis Cardinals sent 2B Matt Carpenter on a rehab assignment to Springfield Cardinals.
Chicago Cubs selected the contract of Brian Matusz from Iowa Cubs.
Seattle Mariners traded LHP Wade Miley to Baltimore Orioles for LHP Ariel Miranda.
Miami Marlins sent Cole Figueroa outright to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins sent Cole Gillespie outright to New Orleans Zephyrs.

Baseball Capsules (August 1, 2016)

TORONTO (AP) — Jonathan Schoop singled home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning and the Baltimore Orioles ended a season-worst five-game losing streak, beating Toronto 6-2 Sunday to reclaim the AL East lead.

Adam Jones hit his 20th homer later in the 12th, a three-run shot that helped the Orioles avoid a three-game sweep and move a half-game ahead of the Blue Jays.

Mychael Givens (8-1) worked one inning for the victory as the Orioles won for the first time in six games at Toronto.

Pedro Alvarez walked to begin the 12th and moved up on a balk by Franklin Morales (0-1).

CUBS 7, MARINERS 6, 12 INNINGS

CHICAGO (AP) — Pitcher Jon Lester drove in Jason Heyward with a two-strike squeeze bunt in the 12th inning, and Chicago overcame a six-run deficit to beat Seattle.

Heyward sparked the winning rally with a leadoff double off the wall in right-center. He advanced on Willson Contreras' fly ball to center against Cody Martin (1-1) before Lester managed to get a bunt down right in front of the plate.

Heyward made it home with a headfirst slide, sparking a frenzied celebration at Wrigley Field. Hector Rondon (2-2) pitched two innings for the win.

The Cubs trailed 6-3 before they pushed across three runs in the ninth against Steve Cishek, handing the sidewinding right-hander his sixth blown save in 31 opportunities. Addison Russell hit an RBI single and Contreras drove in another run when he hustled down the line to beat out a potential double-play grounder.

RAYS 5, YANKEES 3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Rookie left-hander Blake Snell (3-4) struck out nine over 5 1/3 innings, Luke Maile had a key two-run single against Michael Pineda (5-10) and Tampa Bay completed a three-game sweep.

After winning eight of 10, New York lost its fourth straight game and fell to .500 at 52-52. Before the game, the Yankees traded reliever Andrew Miller to Cleveland for touted outfielder Clint Frazier and three others. New York had sent closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Alex Colome got three outs for his 25th save.

INDIANS 8, ATHLETICS 0

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber (10-8) limited Oakland to five hits in seven innings, Mike Napoli hit a two-run homer and Cleveland completed a three-game sweep.

Three relievers completed the six-hitter.

Sonny Gray (5-10) gave up seven runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.

TIGERS 11, ASTROS 0

DETROIT (AP) — James McCann capped a six-run first inning with his first career grand slam and Miguel Cabrera homered twice and drove in four runs, helping Detroit complete a three-game sweep and stretch its winning streak to six.

Mike Pelfrey (4-9) allowed four hits in five innings and has given up one run or none in five of his last eight starts.

Dallas Keuchel (6-11) gave up seven runs and seven hits in five innings.

METS 6, ROCKIES 4

NEW YORK (AP) — Neil Walker hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh off Boone Logan (1-1) following James Loney's 10-pitch walk, helping New York stop a four-game losing streak that matched its season high.

Walker also had an RBI triple, but New York sustained another costly injury when shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera strained the patellar tendon in his left knee — the same injury that sidelined him for a little more than two weeks during spring training this year.

Carlos Gonzalez hit a tying RBI double in the fifth and a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh off winner Jerry Blevins (4-1). Jeurys Familia struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 37th save.

MARLINS 5, CARDINALS 4

MIAMI (AP) — Pinch-hitter Derek Dietrich had an RBI triple off Matt Bowman (1-3) with two outs in the ninth inning, earning Miami a split of the four-game series.

A.J. Ramos (1-0) pitched around a walk in the ninth.

Acquired from San Diego on Friday, Miami starter Andrew Cashner allowed two runs — one earned run — and four hits in six innings, including Greg Garza's homer.

Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz left in the first inning with a bruised right hand after being hit by a pitch.

BRAVES 2, PHILLIES 1

ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Francoeur hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Andrew Bailey (3-1) in the seventh inning.

Mauricio Cabrera (2-0), the fourth of six Atlanta pitchers, pitched a one-hit seventh, and Jim Johnson pitched a hitless ninth for his sixth save.

BREWERS 4, PIRATES 2

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jonathan Lucroy waved his helmet to acknowledge a standing ovation at Miller Park and, in what could be his final appearance for Milwaukee, flied out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

Lucroy turned down a trade to AL Central-leading Cleveland over the weekend. But other teams want the All-Star catcher before Monday's deal deadline, and he has a limited no-trade clause.

Keon Broxton and Chris Carter hit solo home runs as Milwaukee completed a three-game sweep.

Matt Garza (2-4) gave up one earned run in five innings, and Jeremy Jeffress earned his fourth save in as many days and his 27th this season. Francisco Liriano (6-11) allowed four runs in five innings.

TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 4

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brian Dozier homered twice and Ervin Santana (4-9) allowed three runs — one earned — in six innings

Kennys Vargas hit a two-run homer as part of a three-run first inning for Minnesota, which has won three of four games.

Carlos Rodon (2-8) gave up five runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings in his return from a sprained left wrist.

RANGERS 5, ROYALS 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mitch Moreland homered for the fifth time in his last five starts and Lucas Harrell (3-2) won in his Texas as the Rangers finished a four-game sweep of the World Series champions.

Harrell gave up three runs and four hits — including solo home runs to Eric Hosmer and Drew Butera — in six innings. The 31-year-old right-hander was acquired from Atlanta last Wednesday to help the Rangers' injury-riddled starting rotation.

Sam Dyson got his 22nd save.

Dillon Gee (3-5) gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings.

RED SOX 5, ANGELS 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Huston Street (3-2) with two outs in the ninth inning and Xander Bogaerts followed with another home run.

Street (3-2) entered with a 3-0 lead and gave up Mookie Betts' RBI single before Pedroia homered.

Clay Buchholz (4-9) pitched three scoreless innings, and Brad Ziegler got three outs for his 20th save.

GIANTS 3, NATIONALS 1

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matt Cain (3-6) threw five hitless innings for his 100th career victory, struck out five and walked four, leaving after 93 pitches. He handed off to George Kontos, who allowed a leadoff single to Bryce Harper in the sixth.

Santiago Casilla pitched the ninth for his 24th save. NL West-leading San Francisco has won two straight since losing 11 of 13 following the All-Star break.

Gio Gonzalez (6-9) allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits in six innings.

REDS 3, PADRES 2

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Homer Bailey (1-0) ) returned from forearm and elbow surgeries and allowed two runs, four hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. Tony Cingrani worked the ninth for his 13th save.

Paul Clemens (1-2) made his second start with the Padres but was left after 4 2/3 innings because of a sore back.

DODGERS 14, DIAMONDBACKS 3

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Yasmani Grandal and Corey Seager hit three-run home runs and Joc Pederson added a two-run shot.

Louis Coleman (2-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Patrick Corbin (4-10) gave up six runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings for Arizona.

Jake Lamb scored Arizona's second run in the fourth inning on what was ruled a wild pitch. Ross Stripling's pitch, called a ball, deflected off catcher Yasmani Grandal's throat guard and lodged inside his chest protector