MLB Player News

The Blue Jays are expected to promote Rojas from Double-A New Hampshire to Triple-A Buffalo this week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Rojas got off to a delayed start to the 2025 campaign after suffering a midsection injury in spring training that kept him out for about two months, but he's been electric since debuting in late May. After tossing 13 scoreless innings in his four starts with High-A Vancouver, Rojas was promoted to New Hampshire in early July and has continued to overwhelm hitters. In four outings at Double-A, Rojas has submitted a 4.34 ERA, but his stellar 30:2 K:BB in 18.2 innings provides a better illustration of his dominance.

Bieber (elbow) will make his next rehab start Tuesday for Double-A Akron, MLB.com reports.

Bieber had been scheduled to make the third start of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, but the game was postponed due to rain. He got up to 43 pitches in his previous rehab start one week ago, which suggests he'll need to complete at least two more outings in the minors before returning from the 60-day injured list. The possibility exists a team could trade for Bieber ahead of Thursday's deadline, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the right-hander's start Tuesday is expected to be heavily scouted. He has a $16 million player option for 2026, but a high-payroll team could see him as a risk worth taking.

McClanahan (triceps/biceps) played catch from 60 feet Monday, MLB.com reports.

McClanahan had his rehab assignment paused July 21 after he suffered from soreness in his left biceps. This marked his first activity since, though the next steps are unclear, as manager Kevin Cash said the session went okay but wasn't particularly encouraging.

Valdez did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out 12.

The southpaw was in command Monday, matching his season high with 12 strikeouts. Valdez has looked like a true ace in 2025, backed by a 9.5 K/9 -- his highest strikeout rate since 2020. On the year, the 31-year-old holds a 2.62 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through 21 starts spanning 134 innings.

DeGrom (10-3) took the loss Monday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Angels. He struck out eight.

The ace wasn't at his sharpest Monday, surrendering a two-run homer to light-hitting Kevin Newman in the third inning and a solo shot to Taylor Ward in the sixth inning. DeGrom's final outing of July ended on a sour note, but he had been dominant since June 1 with a 6-0 record, 2.13 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over nine starts and 55 innings.

Woods Richardson didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Red Sox, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Woods Richardson pitched four scoreless innings to begin his outing, but Alex Bregman launched a three-run home run in the fifth frame to leave a major mark on the hurler's ledger. Although the right-hander tallied his most punchouts since his June 26 start versus the Mariners, the seven hits allowed were his most since June 10 against the Rangers. Woods Richardson will take a pedestrian 4.24 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 69:35 K:BB across 80.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance, currently slated for this weekend in Cleveland against the Guardians.

Fitts didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out two.

Despite allowing seven players to reach base, Fitts was at least able to limit the damage Monday. The right-hander's three walks were one short of a season high, and he's hurled at least five innings just one time over his last seven starts. Fitts holds a shaky 4.83 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 41 innings, and his next turn in Boston's rotation projects for a tough home matchup versus the Astros this weekend.

Kochanowicz did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs (none earned) on one hit and six walks over 4.2 innings in a 6-4 victory over the Rangers. He struck out three.

Kochanowicz had an eventful outing Monday in his first big-league start since July 10. While the Rangers had trouble squaring him up, they managed to reach base via walks and took advantage of a costly error by Gustavo Campero to plate two runs in the fifth inning. The walks are a concern, but holding Texas to no earned runs marked a positive step for Kochanowicz, who entered the game with a 7.51 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over his previous 10 starts spanning 44.1 innings.

Sears (7-9) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 4.1 innings.

While Sears kept the A's in the game, he couldn't provide much length, needing 96 pitches (58 strikes) to get through 4.1 frames. The lefty did miss plenty of bats, racking up 14 whiffs and six strikeouts, though he also tied a season high with three walks. Sears has perked up in the punchout department of late with at least six Ks in four of his past five starts, but he's also given up at least one long ball in four straight outings. On the season, he holds a 4.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 97:29 K:BB over 111 frames across 22 starts.

Castillo (8-6) earned the win over the Athletics on Monday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out four batters over seven innings.

Castillo was more crafty than overpowering in the outing, as he notched just six whiffs and four punchouts. The veteran right-hander allowed only six baserunners (on five hits and one hit batsman), with the Athletics' lone run coming on a fielder's choice in the sixth frame. This was Castillo's 13th quality start of the campaign, tied for 11th-most in the majors. He's putting together another steadily reliable season, posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 111:36 K:BB through 127 innings spanning 22 starts.