MLB Player News

Elder did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks across four innings. He struck out three.

Elder was hurt by the long ball again Thursday, with all four of the runs charged to the right-hander coming on three homers. Elder's now given up 22 earned runs and eight homers in 18 innings across his last four outings. He'll head into the All-Star break with a 4.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 86:32 K:BB across 18 starts (102.2 innings) this season.

Sandoval took a no-decision Thursday against the White Sox, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Making his season debut for the Red Sox, Sandoval fared well in what also was his first big-league appearance since 2024 following a lengthy recovery from internal brace surgery and several setbacks. The 29-year-old southpaw threw 41 of his 65 pitches for strikes, but he couldn't quite get through the fifth inning as his control began to wane. Connelly Early (elbow) and Ranger Suarez (groin) could both be back shortly after the All-Star break, which would likely force Sandoval into a bullpen role.

Kay (6-4) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Kay got through three scoreless frames to begin the afternoon but fell apart a bit in the fourth inning, when he gave up both of his runs. Lack of control has been a recurring theme in the first half of the campaign for the 31-year-old left-hander amid his transition to the rotation, as he's issued multiple walks in 12 of his 19 outings while hitting at least one batter in 11 appearances. Through 89.1 frames, Kay has a middling 4.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 71:35 K:BB.

The Diamondbacks optioned Cabrera to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

After tossing five scoreless innings in his major-league debut, Cabrera has given up 11 runs with a 9:7 K:BB covering 12.2 innings over his last three starts. With Cabrera back in the minors, it appears the Diamondbacks intend to keep Brandon Pfaadt in their rotation.

Ober took a no-decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.

Sidelined since May 30 with a right flexor strain, Ober showed little to no signs of rust in his return to the major-league mound Thursday. The 30-year-old right-hander might have been able to last a bit longer had he been more stretched out -- he was pulled after tossing 74 pitches -- but it was still certainly his best showing since a May 12 shutout against the Marlins. Ober will look to have his workload restrictions loosened coming out of All-Star break, holding a 4.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB over 71.2 innings.

Williams (10-4) earned the win Thursday against the Twins, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out 11.

Williams emptied the tank Thursday, matching a season high with 103 pitches, though a Royce Lewis solo homer in the seventh inning put a slight damper on an otherwise dominant performance. A rough stretch since the start of June may have cost the 26-year-old right-hander his first All-Star appearance, but he still has four double-digit strikeout efforts under his belt to go with six starts of at least seven innings. Through 113.1 frames, Williams sports a 3.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 134:37 K:BB.

Rasmussen (7-5) took the loss Thursday against the Yankees, allowing six runs on seven hits and no walks in 2.1 innings. He struck out two.

The third inning was a disastrous one for Rasmussen, who managed just one out and was touched up for each of his season-worst six runs in the frame. The seven hits allowed matched a season high, and the 30-year-old right-hander came away with his shortest outing of the campaign, as well. Rasmussen, who has coughed up 11 runs in his two July starts after yielding only three across five June appearances, seems to be heading into the All-Star break at the right time, holding what's still a strong 3.26 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 98:17 K:BB over 99.1 innings.

The Brewers reinstated Henderson (back) from the injured list ahead of his start Thursday against the Cardinals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Henderson has been out of action since late May due to a strained back, but he was given the green light to return to the majors Thursday after giving up two runs while striking out 11 batters in 6.1 innings across two rehab outings at Triple-A Nashville. He built up to just 68 pitches during his final appearance in the minors, so he'll likely have a workload restriction in place during his first start back with the Brewers, but he still offers plenty of upside after posting a 2.74 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 23 frames during his first five starts of the year. Garrett Stallings was optioned to Nashville in a corresponding move.

Meyer will not start Sunday's game against the Guardians as the Marlins give him extra rest heading into the All-Star break, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Sunday is Meyer's turn through the rotation, but the Marlins will instead go with a bullpen game that day. Meyer is healthy but has already logged 108 innings -- he's closing in on his professional high of 115 frames -- and the club wants to be careful with his workload. The right-hander was selected to the NL All-Star team but will not pitch in the Midsummer Classic, either. Meyer finishes the first half with a 9-1 record, 2.58 ERA and 116:38 K:BB.

Wacha (5-7) took the loss Thursday against the Mets, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Wacha held the Mets to one run through his first four innings, but he'd unravel in the fifth, when New York would score five runs, including three with two outs. Wacha's performances have been up and down of late -- he's gone 1-5 with a 5.33 ERA in his last eight outings (49 innings). The right-hander figures to head into the All-Star break with a 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 96:34 K:BB across 19 starts (119.1 innings) this season.