MLB Player News

Griffin (12-4) took the loss against the Mets on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out six.

Making his Guardians debut, Griffin didn't leave an encouraging first impression with his new club. The left-hander has now coughed up 11 runs in his past two starts (9.1 innings), which is quite the disappointment after he gave up 10 runs altogether across his previous nine outings. Griffin will be aiming to get back on track his next time out in Detroit, where he'll bring what is still an impressive 3.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 122:32 K:BB over 133.1 innings for Washington and Cleveland.

Johnson took a no-decision against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and five walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out one.

Despite tossing only 37 of his 78 offerings for strikes, Johnson still managed to keep the Baltimore bats in check Thursday. The lack of efficiency prevented the right-hander from qualifying for the win, and the five walks also represented a season-worst figure. With a 7.11 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 38:25 K:BB over 50.2 innings in 2026, Johnson doesn't appear to be a viable streaming option in most formats for his next scheduled outing against the division-rival Rangers.

Young (8-3) took the loss against the Angels on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

A third-inning Zach Neto three-run home run left a big mark on Young's line, and the hurler never quite got it going Thursday. The right-hander did escape a bases-loaded jam in the third frame to avoid what could've been an even worse outing, but it was still his shortest start since May 17 in Washington. Young will bring a decent 3.43 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 107.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Minnesota.

The Angels will recall Klassen from Triple-A Salt Lake to start Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Klassen will be up with the Angels for the second time this season, after giving up six earned runs in just 4.2 innings across his first two big-league outings back in April. He's been dominant in the minors recently, posting a 1.93 ERA. 1.02 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB in 18.2 frames over his last three starts. He'll now be granted another opportunity with the big club and will match up against a Miami offense that's posted a .654 OPS since the All-Star break.

The Royals transferred Avila (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Avila is likely to remain sidelined until 2028 after undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday, so the Royals will stash him away on the 60-day IL. The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for Luke Little, who was claimed off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Yesavage has been diagnosed with meniscus damage in his left knee and will visit a specialist Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Yesavage had to be lifted from his start Tuesday against the Astros and was placed on the injured list Wednesday. Schneider noted that surgery for Yesavage "is always a possibility," but that determination will be made following his exam Monday. Even if an operation isn't required, Yesavage is likely to be sidelined for several weeks.

The Athletics outrighted Zhuang to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Zhuang is no longer a member of the Athletics' 40-man roster after the Athletics designated him for assignment Friday, but he'll remain in the organization after going unclaimed off waivers. The 25-year-old righty has yet to make his MLB debut and has compiled a 6.42 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 63:33 K:BB in 82.2 innings between stops with Las Vegas and Double-A Midland.

Springs (hip) was able to restart a throwing program Wednesday after landing on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The Athletics placed Springs on the shelf due to a fatigued right hip, an injury that's been plaguing him throughout the season. An MRI on the hip returned negative for an acute injury, and the fact that Springs is already throwing again seemingly indicates that he didn't suffer any sort of major setback coming out of his most recent start Friday and may have just been placed on the IL for the purpose of getting a reset. Though Springs could be physically ready to go when first eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 16, the Athletics won't have much incentive to rush him back or guarantee him a rotation spot once he returns. The veteran southpaw has posted a bloated 6.17 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this season and will likely be headed for free agency this winter, as the Athletics hold a $15 million club option on his contract for 2027 that they will almost certainly decline.

Griffin is slated to start Thursday's game against the Mets in Cleveland, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Acquired from the Nationals on Monday, Griffin will make his Guardians debut three days later after getting some time to acclimate to his new team. After spending the previous three seasons pitching in Japan before signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Nationals in December, Griffin has emerged as an unlikely All-Star in his return to affiliated ball. While leaning on a seven-pitch mix, Griffin turned in a 12-3 record, 3.06 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 116:30 K:BB in 129.1 innings over his 22 starts with Washington. Though he's vastly outperformed his peripherals (4.09 FIP, 4.10 xERA, 3.80 SIERA), Griffin's change in home park from one of baseball's more hitter-friendly venues in Nationals Park to a more neutral environment in Progressive Field could help him stave off regression.

Johnson will start Thursday's game against the Orioles at Camden Yards, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Angels optioned Johnson to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, but they were able to recall him just three days later after the team had multiple openings on the roster in the wake of the trade deadline. Johnson will end up settling back into the rotation, taking the spot that belonged to Jose Soriano before he was dealt to the Blue Jays on Monday. Johnson turned in a 2.52 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over a stretch of five starts from June 23 through July 19, but he was roughed up in his final two outings prior to his demotion, giving up a combined 13 earned runs on 14 hits and four walks across 7.2 innings in losses to the Giants and Brewers.