Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Paul Skenes dominated again, striking out nine batters over six three-hit scoreless innings as the Pirates shut out the Diamondbacks 6-0. This marked his fourth scoreless outing in five starts, with his pitch count increasing to 99, the most he's thrown in over a month as the team ramps up his workload. Skenes has now matched his 2024 rookie innings total with 133 and lowered his ERA to a major league-best 1.83.
Kansas City Royals All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a rotator cuff strain, with further testing anticipated. Bubic, who has managed to pitch through shoulder soreness for most of the season, struggled in his last start Saturday, lasting only 2 2/3 innings and allowing four runs. Despite his recent outing, he maintains a strong 2.55 ERA, ranking fifth-best in the American League.
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh drilled his 40th home run of the season Saturday night, making him the first player in MLB to reach this mark and the seventh catcher in major league history to achieve a 40-homer season. Raleigh's tiebreaking 416-foot blast contributed to a valuable 7-2 victory for the Mariners, and he called the milestone 'very cool' and 'a cool moment.' The slugger also tied Ken Griffey Jr. for the most homers in Seattle history through 105 games of a season, solidifying his historic performance despite a slight slowdown in July.
Minnesota Twins All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton is listed as day-to-day after an MRI revealed cartilage irritation in his rib cage. Buxton exited Saturday's game against Washington due to discomfort in his side while running, but manager Rocco Baldelli considers the MRI results a "good outcome." The 31-year-old is batting .282 with 23 home runs and a .905 OPS this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is slated to return to the mound this Wednesday to start against Cincinnati, continuing his recovery buildup from elbow surgery that sidelined him from pitching last season. Manager Dave Roberts plans for Ohtani to pitch four innings, followed by an off day before returning to hitting in a game. The Dodgers will transition to a six-man rotation, with Roberts indicating that Ohtani's pitching workload will remain limited this season as part of his rehab.
Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn had another strong rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, pitching into the seventh inning and allowing only one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six batters. This performance follows his consistent rehab, during which he has given up just three runs across three total outings. Blackburn has been sidelined for approximately three weeks with a shoulder injury, and the team is currently evaluating his next steps.
Blake Snell is set to return to the Dodgers' starting rotation next weekend, which will necessitate a demotion for another pitcher, likely Dustin May or Emmet Sheehan. Snell's return is a key factor influencing potential trade discussions, particularly concerning May's future with the team.
Zack Wheeler, a Cy Young candidate for the Phillies, gave up four earned runs on five hits over 5.2 innings against the Yankees. He struck out eight batters but also walked two and hit three, uncharacteristically struggling with control in the second inning.
Matt Chapman hit two home runs for the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, providing a brief 3-2 lead against the New York Mets. This multi-homer game was his 13th in the big leagues and his first since last September, bringing his season total to 16. Chapman has shown a return to form since the All-Star break, recording four homers and a triple in nine games after recovering from a hand sprain. Despite his efforts, the Giants ultimately lost 5-3, with Chapman striking out to end the game with the bases loaded.
The Atlanta Braves have placed right-hander Grant Holmes on the 15-day injured list, citing elbow inflammation. This move means Holmes is the fifth Opening Day starter for the Braves to be placed on the injured list this season. He pitched four innings on Saturday in the Braves' 6-5 loss to the Texas Rangers and has been replaced on the active roster by Daysbel Hernández.
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has been placed on the seven-day concussion injured list after being struck in the mask by a foul tip during Saturday's 6-1 win against the Detroit Tigers. The 26-year-old, a two-time All-Star, is batting .304 with seven home runs and 47 RBIs in 88 games this season.
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been placed on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow after an MRI found no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, alleviating fears of a long-term layoff. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and is expected to return in 10 days to two weeks, initially serving as a designated hitter before resuming outfield duties; playing first base is not being considered. While there's no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, the injury has influenced the Yankees' cautious approach to the trade deadline. Judge, who currently leads MLB with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS with 37 home runs, continues to build a strong Hall of Fame case in his 10th season.
Red Sox second baseman Ceddanne Rafaela made a significant defensive impact in Sunday’s game, executing a crucial unassisted double play to end the eighth inning. Manager Alex Cora lauded Rafaela's exceptional defensive instincts, emphasizing his versatility and skill across multiple infield and outfield positions. His defensive contributions were key in the Red Sox's 4-3 series-clinching victory against the Dodgers.
Jordan Hicks effectively closed out Sunday's game for the Boston Red Sox following Aroldis Chapman's departure due to injury. With Chapman potentially needing to miss some time to recover from a tight back, Hicks is expected to step into the closer role for the Red Sox. His performance helped secure a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Joc Pederson has been activated by the Texas Rangers from the 10-day injured list, marking his return after missing two months due to a fractured right hand. The 33-year-old designated hitter/first baseman was immediately reinserted into the lineup, batting fifth as the DH in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Pederson sustained the injury on May 24 when he was hit by a pitch, and he had a batting average of .131 with two home runs and six RBIs in 46 games before his injury. To facilitate his return, the Rangers optioned utilityman Michael Helman to Triple-A Round Rock.
The New York Yankees have acquired utility infielder Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals in exchange for minor league prospects Clayton Beeter and Browm Martinez. Rosario, a versatile right-handed hitter, is batting .270 with five home runs this season and boasts an .816 OPS against left-handed pitching, making him a good fit for a platoon role against lefties. Expected to be utilized primarily at third base, second base, and outfield corners, Rosario will become a free agent after this season and marks the Yankees' second infield acquisition of the weekend.
Joe Boyle has been reinstated in the Tampa Bay Rays' rotation, a week after being bumped to relief. He delivered a terrific performance on Friday, throwing six shutout innings against the Nationals and striking out seven. While he demonstrates clear swing and miss upside, Boyle continues to be inefficient with his pitches, which may limit how deep he pitches into games.
Pirates star Oneil Cruz hit his 17th home run of the season on Saturday against the Diamondbacks, ending an 11-game drought. He is considered a top MLB HR pick for Sunday, largely due to his exceptional raw power metrics, including being in the 99th percentile for average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit contact rate. Cruz, who has hit 16 of his 17 homers against right-handed pitchers, is expected to face a struggling righty on Sunday, potentially Zac Gallen.
Left-handed reliever Gregory Soto, 30, was traded to the New York Mets from the Baltimore Orioles, expressing his excitement to join a contending team and pursue a championship. A two-time All-Star, Soto maintained a 3.96 ERA in 45 appearances for the Orioles this season and notably held opposing lefties to a .138 batting average. He brings postseason experience, having pitched in the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024, and looks forward to contributing to the Mets' winning culture.
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is currently on a scorching four-game hitting streak, going 8-for-19 with four home runs during that span. He has been a key component in the Phillies' recent offensive explosion against the Yankees, tallying two homers and a double while going 5-for-10 in their first two games. Schwarber's elite 60.2% hard-hit contact rate, ranked in the 100th percentile, contributes to his current .962 OPS, which would mark a career-high season.
