MLB Player News

Soto covered a scoreless two-thirds of an inning with no strikeouts in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.

With Baltimore's bullpen essentially at full strength, the Orioles have mostly deployed Soto as a left-handed specialist. Soto has now worked less than one inning in 21 of his 43 outings this season, and he's recorded more than two outs on just one occasion through his first seven appearances in July. Soto has a 3.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB to go with 18 holds across 34.1 innings, which at least offers him some appeal in fantasy leagues that count holds.

Fairbanks notched a save against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Fairbanks had a two-run lead to work with when he entered in the ninth frame, but things got interesting when Cedric Mullins hit an RBI single and then stole second base with two outs. Another base hit out of the infield would have likely tied the score, but Fairbanks got Jackson Holliday to fly out to end the threat. Fairbanks was thus able record his first save in July (his previous save had come June 26 against Kansas City). The veteran right-hander has 16 of Tampa Bay's 22 saves on the campaign, and he remains pretty secure in his role despite the recent three-week drought.

Latz will start in place of Nathan Eovaldi (back) in Sunday's game against the Tigers in Arlington, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Eovaldi was scheduled for the start opposite Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, but the Rangers righty has been scratched due to tightness in his back. In Eovaldi's place, Latz will step in for what will most likely be a spot start, unless Eovaldi requires a stint on the injured list. The lefty previously made two starts this season, topping out at six innings and 88 pitches June 24 versus Baltimore. Latz has pitched well overall this season, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB over 48 frames spanning 21 appearances.

Erceg (4-3) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks in an inning of relief as the Royals fell 3-1 to the Marlins. He struck out one.

Called in for the bottom of the eighth inning after Kansas City had tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the frame, Erceg handed the lead right back to Miami, although his line was somewhat misleading -- two of the walks he issued were intentional, and he threw 11 of 18 pitches for strikes. Carlos Estevez has blown three straight save chances, so the door could be open a crack for Erceg to work his way into the ninth-inning mix, but this performance won't encourage manager Matt Quatraro to switch things up. Through nine appearances in July, Erceg carries a 4.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over nine innings.

Hoffman gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Giants.

After striking out the side Friday in a perfect ninth inning in a non-save situation, Hoffman came back the next day and shut down San Francisco once again. The right-hander has been tagged with earned runs in only one of his last 12 appearances, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings during that stretch while converting six of seven save chances.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre activated Headrick (undisclosed) from the 7-day injured list Saturday.

Headrick landed on the minor-league IL on June 26, but he's now healthy enough to pitch again. The lefty reliever got into 11 games with the Yankees earlier in the campaign, posting a 4.73 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB over 13.1 innings.

The Yankees activated Arias (undisclosed) from the 7-day minor-league injured list Saturday and transferred him to Double-A Somerset.

Arias landed on the minor-league IL in April but was able to begin a minor-league rehab assignment in late June. In six games between the organization's Florida Complex League, Single-A and High-A affiliates, the righty hurler posted a 3.12 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Arias spent most of 2024 with the Cubs' Triple-A squad, and he could progress to that level with the Yankees before the end of the campaign if he makes a good impression at Somerset.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Slaten (shoulder) has resumed playing catch, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox pulled Slaten off his throwing program last week in an effort to focus on building strength in his shoulder. Now that the team is satisfied with his strength, the right-handed reliever will begin building back up. He remains without an official return timeline, but he figures to still be multiple weeks away from activation.

The Tigers signed Rainey to a minor-league contract Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Rainey got into 11 games with Pittsburgh earlier this season, posting an ugly 10.57 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with a 9:6 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The righty has spent most of his MLB career with the Nationals, with arguably his most productive season coming in 2022, when he racked up 12 saves. Rainey will look to get back on track with Triple-A Toledo in an attempt to make it back up to the majors.

De Los Santos (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Saturday.

De Los Santos began throwing off a mound July 5 after being shelved with an elbow injury in mid-June. He'll now begin the final stage of his recovery by playing in minor-league games, and he may still be able to return to the Yankees' bullpen before the end of the month.