MLB Player News
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Bailey Horn RP | DET
Tigers' Bailey Horn: Recalled from Triple-A
The Tigers recalled Horn from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Since his last MLB appearance July 6, Horn allowed three runs (one earned) over 10 innings while striking out 12 batters and walking three with Toledo. He'll now be called upon to provide Detroit with a fresh bullpen arm to replace Sawyer Gipson-Long, who was optioned to Toledo in a corresponding move. Horn will presumably pitch in middle relief while with the Tigers.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Beginning assignment
Stephenson (biceps) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.
Biceps inflammation has kept Stephenson on the shelf since the end of May, and after two-plus months of rehab, the 32-year-old righty has now been cleared to pitch in a competitive environment. Given the duration of his stay on the injured list, he will likely require several tune-up outings before being cleared to join the Angels' bullpen, but a return to Anaheim before the end of the month remains in play.
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Jackson Stephens RP | ATL
Jackson Stephens: Released by Atlanta
Atlanta released Stephens on Thursday.
Stephens has pitched well at Triple-A Gwinnett this season, posting a 2.57 ERA and 42:15 K:BB over 49 innings, so it's possible he exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract. The 31-year-old has been used almost exclusively as a reliever during his time in the majors, but he's made some starts this year at Gwinnett -- including in his last appearance when he struck out six over five innings of one-run ball -- so Stephens offers versatility.
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Tristan Beck RP | SF
Giants' Tristan Beck: Allows one run vs. San Diego
Beck allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out one across two innings in Wednesday's 11-1 loss to the Padres.
Beck retired the side in order in the sixth inning but surrendered three singles and a run in the seventh, throwing 22 of his 32 pitches for strikes. The 29-year-old has appeared in nine games since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, recording a 4.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 7:3 K:BB across 12.1 innings during that span. Overall, the right-hander owns a 5.17 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and an 18:10 K:BB across 31.1 innings in 19 outings this season.
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Brusdar Graterol RP | LAD
Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Unlikely to return this season
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Graterol (shoulder) is unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list this season, MLB writer Mike DiGiovanna reports.
Graterol has been out all season after undergoing labrum surgery on his right shoulder last November. Roberts noted that Graterol is not currently throwing, suggesting the hurler suffered a setback at some point. Graterol will be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this offseason, but he could be a non-tender candidate, given his checkered history on the health front.
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Braxton Ashcraft RP | PIT
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Drawing another start
Ashcraft is slated to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
After making his previous nine appearances out of the bullpen, Ashcraft picked up his second MLB start this past weekend against the Reds as a replacement in the rotation for Johan Oviedo, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Though he was limited to 56 pitches in his outing versus Cincinnnati, Ashcraft was effective during his time on the mound, striking out five while allowing five baserunners over 3.1 innings. He'll be rewarded with a second turn through the rotation this weekend, and Ashcraft could push his pitch count up to the 65-to-80 range now that he's on a starter's schedule. Whether Ashcraft will be stick around in the rotation for the rest of the season is still unclear; Friday marks the first day that prospects who are called up for the first time in 2025 won't be able to exceed 45 days of service time, which will keep them eligible for 2026 Rookie of the Year Award consideration. With that in mind, prized pitching prospect Bubba Chandler could soon get called up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut, and Ashcraft may move back to the bullpen to accommodate him.
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Hunter Stratton RP | ATL
Braves' Hunter Stratton: Summoned from minors
Atlanta recalled Stratton from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.
Stratton has made five appearances in the majors this season between Pittsburgh and Atlanta, allowing seven runs over 5.2 frames. He will work in middle relief.
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Luis Morales SP | ATH
Athletics' Luis Morales: Receiving another start
Morales is slated to start Saturday's game against the Angels in Sacramento.
Though Morales allowed no hits and struck out four batters in his first MLB start in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Orioles, he was lifted after just 2.2 innings and 57 pitches after issuing five walks. Despite the wild outing, Morales will get another chance to stake a claim to a longer-term spot in the Athletics rotation. He'll face off against an Angels offense that has a MLB-high 26 percent strikeout rate, though the advantageous matchup could be mitigated by the fact that he'll be pitching at Sutter Health Park, which has been a favorable venue for hitters this season.
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Kenley Jansen RP | LAA
Angels' Kenley Jansen: Rebounds with save Wednesday
Jansen notched a save against the Dodgers on Wednesday, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Jansen gave up a tiebreaking solo homer to Shohei Ohtani in the ninth frame Tuesday, breaking a 20-appearance scoreless streak. The veteran closer was right back on the mound against his former club Wednesday, this time with the task of protecting a one-run, ninth-inning lead. Jansen came through, retiring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith on a combined 10 pitches. Jansen has now converted 23 of 24 save opportunities on the campaign, putting him on track for his highest save conversion rate since he went a remarkable 41-for-42 in save chances with the Dodgers in 2017.
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Justin Topa RP | MIN
Twins' Justin Topa: Notches six-out save
Topa recorded the save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Yankees, striking out one and allowing one hit and no walks in two scoreless innings.
Topa finished off the Yankees to net his second save of the season, working multiple frames for the first time since July 26 versus the Nationals. The 34-year-old right-hander is operating in tandem with Cole Sands for Minnesota's closer gig after the Twins shipped out Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax at the trade deadline, though Sands has given up five runs over six appearances this month. Topa, on the other hand, has pitched seven shutout frames to open August, improving his ERA to 3.55 and his WHIP to 1.30 to go with a 44:13 K:BB for the year.