Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco is scheduled to make his fourth start of the season tonight at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres. Blanco enters the matchup with a 0-1 record and a 7.36 ERA, looking to help the first-place Astros kick off their six-game road trip on a positive note.
Newly acquired left-hander Robbie Ray is set to make his debut for the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Ray, who holds a 10-6 record with a 3.08 ERA this season, will take the mound against the Houston Astros. He is slated to face off against Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco as the Padres look to leverage their new rotation addition in a key series against their NL West rivals.
Freddie Freeman has been cleared to return to the Dodgers' lineup after missing time due to a hand injury. He is slated to start at first base and bat third in Friday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, providing a significant boost to the team's offensive core as they continue their playoff push.
Shohei Ohtani remains a central figure for the Dodgers as they push for the playoffs. Currently involved in a tight NL MVP race, reports suggest Pete Crow-Armstrong has recently overtaken him. Despite battling illness and weight fluctuations, Ohtani continues to contribute as a DH and maintains a Cy Young-caliber pitching effort. He is slated to hit leadoff in Friday's lineup against the Diamondbacks.
Infield prospect Sammy Stafura was acquired by the New York Mets from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade involving veteran reliever Luke Weaver, who was sent to the Pirates on Monday.
Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Sidelined with left elbow inflammation, Rodón will use this assignment to build up his arm strength and evaluate his readiness for a return to the major league rotation. The assignment is expected to be brief as his return to the Yankees nears.
Ryan Feltner is scheduled to start for the Colorado Rockies in their August 7 game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rockies are looking to find their rhythm in St. Louis following an inconsistent homestand. The matchup at Busch Stadium is part of a three-game weekend series, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.
Jackson Holliday is set to bat third for the Baltimore Orioles as they begin a meaningful weekend series against the Texas Rangers on Friday night.
Amidst the live discussion for the Royals vs. Cubs game on August 7, speculation has surfaced regarding whether Tyler Tolbert is establishing himself as the new face of the Kansas City franchise.
Jordan Montgomery has been activated from the 60-day injured list by the Texas Rangers following his recovery from elbow surgery. After missing the entire 2025 season and the start of 2026, he will rejoin the pitching staff as a bullpen arm. To accommodate his return to the active and 40-man rosters, the Rangers designated pitcher Nolan Kingham for assignment.
Matt Chapman is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his abdomen this coming Tuesday. The update was reported by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Henry Lalane put forth a dazzling performance in his debut, as noted in the August 6 minor league roundup.
Marty Gair delivered an impressive performance in his professional debut, highlighted in the August 6 minor league roundup.
Blaze Alexander played catch on Friday for the first time since sustaining a fractured left hand before the All-Star break. This marks a positive step in his recovery process as he works toward returning to the Orioles' lineup.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo announced Friday that A.J. Puk will remain shut down for the rest of the 2026 season. Puk has been dealing with ongoing elbow and shoulder issues, leading the organization to prioritize his long-term health over a return to the mound this year.
Red Sox catcher Andrew Knizner has opted out of his contract to become a free agent. Knizner had been performing well in Triple-A, posting a .316 batting average, but decided to seek new opportunities elsewhere during the Red Sox's current resurgence. His departure leaves the organization looking for depth at the catcher position as they continue their push through the remainder of the season.
The New York Mets have claimed infielder Gabriel Arias off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians. Arias, known for his defensive versatility, is expected to join the Mets' organization immediately and is slated to be available for the team's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.
Dodgers prospect Kendall George has undergone knee surgery to address lingering effects from an injury sustained two months ago while evading a bat dog. Although George initially returned to play for a month, the persistent injury forced him onto the injured list this week, necessitating the procedure. Earlier reports had speculated that his absence from the Double-A Tulsa lineup might have been related to a potential trade.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to pace the Dodgers in pitching wins this season. Despite recently overcoming an illness and weight loss, he remains a vital rotation piece and a contender in the National League Cy Young conversation. As the team evaluates postseason depth, they look to his performance in upcoming matchups, including a Saturday start against the Diamondbacks, where he aims to improve upon a difficult outing against them on July 11.
The Toronto Blue Jays have promoted Brett Bateman to the major league roster. Acquired in the Kevin Gausman trade, Bateman is expected to provide strong defense and contact-hitting ability. He is slated to start in center field and bat ninth against the Phillies on Friday night, marking his official debut in the major leagues.
