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  • Associated Press

May 25, 2025, 04:26 PM ET

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates‘ Oneil Cruz had the hardest-hit ball since Statcast started tracking in 2015, a home run off the Brewers‘ Logan Henderson on Sunday that left the bat at 122.9 mph and splashed into the Allegheny River.

Cruz’s leadoff drive to right in the third inning on a 92.2 mph fastball traveled 432 feet and cut the Pirates’ deficit to 3-1 in a 6-5 loss.

“I connected really well. It feels even better just to know that it’s the hardest-hit ball in the history of Statcast,” Cruz said through an interpreter. “It doesn’t matter how hard the ball was hit. I just go out and make good contact. Sometimes, I don’t even try to make the hardest contact.”

Cruz had the previous hardest-hit ball, a 122.4 mph single Aug. 24, 2022. Giancarlo Stanton had the prior hardest-hit home run at 121.8 mph when he played for the Miami Marlins, a drive off Gio Gonzalez at Washington on Aug. 9, 2017.

“The reason behind my at-bats is just to put good contact on the ball,” Cruz said. “Whatever happens, happens.”

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound outfielder has hit six of the 83 home runs that have reached the river since PNC Park opened in 2001.

“I’m really glad that got out of the stadium because if that would’ve been into the stands, that thing is flying,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said. “I can’t say enough about him and how he played, how he’s been playing, especially in this series.

“Superstar-type stuff. … Guys continue to grind, continue to battle. I think Oneil is, obviously, a huge part of that in what he’s doing. It’s contagious, too.”

Cruz leads the Pirates with 11 homers this season, including three in his past three games. He hit two Friday, tying it 4-4 in the ninth with his second, for his first multi-homer game in a 6-5 win over the Brewers and had a 114.3 mph triple to drive in the winning run of a 2-1 victory Saturday.

“It’s just about the focus and the work that I’ve been putting in lately,” Cruz said. “That’s the main key. It always feels good as a player just to be able to do that in one series.”

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White Sox place Vargas on IL with oblique strain

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39 mins ago

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August 3, 2025

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White Sox place Vargas on IL with oblique strain

  • Associated Press

Aug 3, 2025, 04:32 PM ET

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Chicago White Sox placed infielder Miguel Vargas on the 10-day injured list on Sunday because of a left oblique strain.

Vargas, 25, was scratched from Saturday night’s 1-0 victory at the Angels. Vargas, who was acquired from the Dodgers as part of a three-team trade in July 2024, is batting .229 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs in 106 games.

The White Sox also recalled infielder Curtis Mead from Triple-A Charlotte before their series finale against the Angels. Left-hander Bryan Hudson and right-hander Elvis Peguero were claimed off waivers from Milwaukee and assigned to Charlotte.

Mead, 24, came over when the White Sox traded right-hander Adrian Houser to Tampa Bay on Thursday. Mead hit .226 with three homers and eight RBIs in 49 games with the Rays this year.

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After red flag, White’s 2 HRs let Braves lap Reds

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39 mins ago

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August 3, 2025

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After red flag, White's 2 HRs let Braves lap Reds

  • Associated Press

Aug 3, 2025, 04:00 PM ET

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Eli White hit a three-run homer and a solo shot, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Sunday in the rain-delayed MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway.

White’s first homer of the afternoon gave Atlanta a 3-1 lead in the second inning at the historic racetrack. The ball hit the safer barrier after clearing the outfield wall and the track itself.

He added his sixth homer of the season on a leadoff shot in the seventh.

Cincinnati went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base. Brent Suter (1-2) got the loss.

Atlanta came in having clinched the season series, winning four of the first six games. The teams split the first two in Cincinnati before coming to Bristol.

The game was scheduled for Saturday, but it was suspended in the first inning because of persistent rain.

Hurston Waldrep (1-0) was on the mound for Atlanta when play resumed. The right-hander was brought up from Triple-A Gwinnett and traveled about 250 miles to Bristol Motor Speedway early Sunday morning. He pitched 5⅔ innings of one-run ball for his first career win.

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Rockies closer Halvorsen (elbow strain) put on IL

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4 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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Rockies closer Halvorsen (elbow strain) put on IL

  • Associated Press

Aug 3, 2025, 01:19 PM ET

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have put closer Seth Halvorsen on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain after he had to leave Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh.

Interim manager Warren Schaeffer said at the time the injury didn’t look good — following the right-hander’s exit after throwing five pitches in the ninth inning. Halvorsen leads the Rockies with 11 saves.

Colorado also recalled right-hander Nick Anderson and catcher Braxton Fulford from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, and the Rockies optioned infielder Michael Toglia to Albuquerque.

The 25-year-old Halvorsen is 1-2 with a 4.99 ERA this year. He made his big league debut in August of 2024.

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