Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival Chicago Cubs because his knee was a "little cranky" when he showed up to the field. "He's 37 years old, and some days he wakes up and feels better than he does. He's still available," Shelton said. The Pirates probably could have used McCutchen on Wednesday, as they were no hit by lefty starter Shota Imanaga and two relievers in an 12-0 blowout loss. McCutchen recently returned from a stint on the injured list due to inflammation in the same knee, so this isn't a great sign. In four games since his return, he's gone 4-for-15 with two homers and six RBI. With McCutchen out on Wednesday, Oneil Cruz was the DH and Michael Taylor got the start in center field. The Pirates aren't going to rush the aging veteran back into the lineup at this point.

The San Francisco Giants have signed third baseman Matt Chapman to a six-year, $151 million contract extension. The new contract replaces the old one in which Chapman could have opted out at the end of the season and test free agency. It will begin in 2025 and run through 2030, with no money being deferred and it also includes a no-trade clause. At age 31, Chapman is posting the best contact rate of his career (79.3%) which is leading to his lowest strikeout rate since 2019 (the last and only year he was an All-Star), amounting to a .247-22-69-90-13 line with a .337 wOBA and 118 wRC+. He's also played Gold Glove-caliber defense, which he's already won four times in the past.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the White Sox, homering for the 35th time this season in the contest. The home run gave him the most single-season home runs all-time for an Orioles shortstop, passing both Cal Ripken Jr. and Miguel Tejada in the process. The hits extended Henderson's current hit streak to five games, going 8-for-19 (.421) with a pair of home runs, six RBI, five runs, a 5:4 BB:K, and two stolen bases. The 23-year-old now has a .280-35-84-107-17 line through 139 games with a .385 wOBA and 156 wRC+, making him one of the most valuable fantasy assets in all of baseball.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore tossed six innings of one-hit ball in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Marlins, allowing just one run and one walk while striking out nine batters, but did not factor into the decision. It marked the third consecutive quality start for the 25-year-old after collecting just five quality starts over his first 25 games. The southpaw lowered his ERA on the season to 4.32, although his FIP (3.56) and xFIP (3.90) suggest he's been better than that. The former third-overall draft pick also has a 1.50 WHIP and 15.4% K-BB% for the year. His next start will come at home against Atlanta next Tuesday. He's faced the Braves three times this year, dominating them for a 1.65 ERA over three starts, allowing three earned runs on 19 hits and one walk while striking out 21 in 16 1/3 innings pitched.

New York Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker put the Mets on the board early on Wednesday, blasting a first-inning grand slam in a game the Mets would go on to win 8-3 over the Red Sox. It was Winker's only hit in the contest, going 1-for-3 and getting on base via walk once as well. The 31-year-old has been fairly productive since coming over from the Nationals, slashing .306/.341/.471 in 91 plate appearances. For the year, he owns a .268-14-58-63-14 line with a .349 wOBA and 126 wRC+. With a strong OBP of .368 on the year thanks to a 12.3% BB%, if Winker can continue to get on base, it should be more fruitful for fantasy in the Mets offense that is putting up 4.79 runs/game (seventh-best) compared to the Nationals' offense that is putting up 4.20 runs/game (bottom-third).