MLB Player News
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Ken Waldichuk SP | WAS
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
The Athletics activated Waldichuk (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery last May and had spent all season on the injured list up to this point. He kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment in late June and tallied a 7.63 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB over 15.1 innings spanning six appearances between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The lefty threw 141 frames for the Athletics in 2023 and could certainly make his way back to the big club in due time, but he'll likely first need to harness his control issues in the minors before getting a look in the MLB rotation.
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Shane Smith RP | CHW
White Sox's Shane Smith: Lands on IL with ankle sprain
The White Sox placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left ankle sprain.
It's not clear when Smith hurt his ankle, though the move is retroactive to July 16 -- one day after the All-Star Game, during which the rookie hurler threw 10 pitches over one-third of an inning. With Smith landing on the IL, Chicago recalled reliever Wikelman Gonzalez from Triple-A, but it's uncertain who (if anybody) will slide into the rotation in the short term. The White Sox have opted for bullpen games on a few occasions this season and could go that route again until Smith is ready to return, which won't be until the beginning of August at the earliest.
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Zebby Matthews P | MIN
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Activated ahead of start
The Twins reinstated Matthews (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.
After missing more than a month with a shoulder strain, Matthews will return from the IL and start Saturday's game versus Colorado. The 25-year-old is coming off a brilliant minor-league start, during which he struck out nine batters in four shutout frames, and he'll be welcomed back to the big leagues by a Rockies offense that ranks 27th in MLB with a .673 OPS this season. Travis Adams was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Keider Montero SP | DET
Tigers' Keider Montero: Returns to starting role Saturday
Montero is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Rangers in Arlington.
After getting called up from Triple-A Toledo on July 7 and notching a quality start in a win over the Rays later that day, Montero shifted to the bullpen for the Tigers' final series before the All-Star break, covering three innings and allowing three runs in an appearance against the Mariners last Saturday. Montero will move back into the rotation to begin the second half, though his hold on a starting role could be tenuous. Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck) is in the midst of a rehab assignment and could bump Montero from the rotation once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.
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Chris Bassitt SP | BAL
Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt: Dances around danger in 10th win
Bassitt (10-4) picked up the win in Friday's 4-0 victory over the Giants, allowing 10 hits over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The veteran righty dealt with runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings and again in the sixth and seventh, but Bassitt wriggled off the hook each time to record his eighth quality start of the year. In the process, he became the first pitcher to give up double-digit hits without being charged with a run since 2015. Bassitt has a 1.89 ERA in July while winning three straight starts, and he'll look to extend that streak in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the Yankees.
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Chris Paddack SP | MIA
Twins' Chris Paddack: Continues to struggle in ninth loss
Paddack (3-9) took the loss Friday against the Rockies, giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.
Paddack's recent struggles before the All-Star break dragged into the beginning of the second half, as he walked multiple batters for the first time in his last seven starts. The right-hander has conceded at least four runs in five of his last seven outings, posting a dismal 8.55 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB over 33.2 innings in that span. With a scary matchup looming next week against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Paddack won't be a recommend fantasy streamer his next time out.
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Patrick Corbin SP | TOR
Rangers' Patrick Corbin: Silences Tigers over 5.2 frames
Corbin took a no-decision Friday against the Tigers, giving up three hits and two walks in 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out six.
Corbin remains a stable source of length for the Rangers, having now tossed at least five innings in 14 consecutive starts and 16 of his 18 outings this year. Additionally, the veteran left-hander has fanned at least six in five of his last seven appearances. Corbin will bring a quality 3.91 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 80:29 K:BB over 99 frames into his next scheduled start at home versus the division-rival Athletics, who have a weak .625 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of June.
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Reese Olson SP | DET
Tigers' Reese Olson: Six Ks in five scoreless innings
Olson took a no-decision Friday against the Rangers, giving up two hits and one walk in five scoreless innings. He struck out six.
Friday represented the fifth scoreless start of the season for Olson, who also recorded at least six punchouts for the fifth time this year. The right-hander produced 13 whiffs as well, and he's now been able to work at least five frames in eight of his 12 outings this season. Olson will carry a strong 2.71 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 61:23 K:BB over 63 innings into his next scheduled start, which projects for a soft matchup against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
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Taj Bradley SP | MIN
Rays' Taj Bradley: Fires six shutout innings
Bradley (6-6) earned the win Friday against the Orioles, giving up no runs on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out six.
Bradley was superb, registering his most strikeouts since his June 1 start in Houston. Friday also marked the 24-year-old right-hander's third scoreless outing of at least six innings in his last nine appearances, although he's surrendered at least five runs on three occasions during this stretch. Bradley now holds a 4.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 95:41 K:BB over 109.2 frames in 2025, and he's next scheduled to get a favorable matchup at home versus the lowly White Sox.