MLB Player News

Chapman earned the save in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Red Sox captured a 10-0 victory in the first game of Friday's doubleheader, but Chapman was needed in the nightcap to protect Boston's 5-3 lead in the ninth. The veteran southpaw shut the door on Tampa Bay with relative ease, needing just 13 pitches (11 strikes) to get through the inning while fanning two batters in the process. Chapman is up to 20 saves (seventh in the majors) and has a 2.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 29.2 innings this season.

Rivera did not factor into the decision of the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across 2.1 innings.

Rivera was given the nod to start in the second game of Friday's twin bill after a solid spot start against the Mets last weekend. He wasn't quite as good against Tampa Bay, as he gave up two runs in the first inning before yielding a solo homer to Junior Caminero in the third. Rivera quickly ran his pitch count up to 64, resulting in the Red Sox relying on their bullpen the rest of the way. Ranger Suarez (groin) is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list during Boston's upcoming series against Baltimore, and Rivera will likely head back to Triple-A Worcester if such a move occurs.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Palencia (elbow) is hopeful to return to the Cubs' bullpen in mid-August, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Counsell noted that Palencia has been slow to progress through his rehab program, as he's had to repeat a few steps along the way, so his absence could potentially extend into late August or September if he continues to show minimal progress. In the meantime, Jacob Webb and Trent Thornton will be in the mix for saves in Chicago.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Milner (abdomen) will likely return from the injured list sometime around Aug. 1, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Milner has been out since late June after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, but he appears to be in line to return well within the 4-to-6-week timeline he received after his procedure. The 35-year-old southpaw has put up a 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 35.2 innings this season.

Henriquez (elbow) began playing catch from 60 feet out Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Henriquez has already been ruled out for the entirety of the 2026 campaign after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery in the offseason, but the fact that he's now playing catch is an encouraging sign of progress. Assuming his rehab continues smoothly, he should be ready for the start of spring training in 2027.

Bender (shin) was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bender has been on the shelf since the end of June due to a stress reaction in his right shin. He remains without a definitive timeline to return to Miami's bullpen, though his return to activity is certainly a positive sign.

The Tigers recalled Hanifee from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

Hanifee owns a 3.29 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 13.2 innings with Detroit this season, but he's given up 11 earned runs in just 12 innings since being sent down to Toledo on June 12. His recent struggles in the minors will likely limit him to low-leverage work with the Tigers.

Halvorsen (shoulder) threw live batting practice Thursday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Halvorsen is on the mend from shoulder inflammation that sent him to the injured list July 4. He's started to make significant progress after receiving a cortisone injection, and the Rockies are optimistic that he'll be able to begin a rehab assignment in the near future. A more definitive timeline for his return to Colorado's bullpen will likely emerge once he begins pitching in minor-league games.

Smith (shoulder) will start a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Smith has been shelved by right shoulder inflammation since May 22 and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in late June. He's progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment and could be back in the majors by late July or early August. Prior to his injury, Smith posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.47 wHIP across 17 innings.

Allen will start in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Allen will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to serve as the Guardians' 27th man Saturday, with the left-hander starting in Game 2 while Gavin Williams starts in Game 1. It'll be the second major-league outing of the season for Allen, with his first taking place May 25 against the Nationals, when he allowed two unearned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across four innings. He's started in 16 games in Triple-A, where he has a 4-3 record and a 4.39 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 95:31 K:BB across 80 innings.