MLB Player News

The Guardians acquired Stephen (shoulder) from the Guardians on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow), Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Stephen, a 22-year-old righty who was drafted in the second round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, has had an excellent season across three levels of the minors. He dominated Single-A and High-A hitters alike (1.75 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 97:17 K:BB in 87.2 innings) before earning a promotion to Double-A New Hampshire on July 20. He made one start for New Hampshire and landed on the 7-day injured list July 24 with a shoulder impingement that is considered mild, per SI.com. Stephen's 5.1 percent walk rate on the season illustrates his pinpoint control, and he has a full starter's repertoire, highlighted by a fastball with good carry that touches 96 miles per hour.

The Blue Jays acquired Bieber (elbow) from the Guardians on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Khal Stephen (shoulder), Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Bieber has been on the injured list all season as he works his way back from April 2024 Tommy John surgery, but he looks nearly ready to make his 2025 MLB debut after striking out seven over four innings of one-run ball in his most recent rehab start with Double-A Akron on Tuesday. He built up to 58 pitches in that start -- the third of his rehab assignment -- so he may require just one or two more outings in the minors before the Blue Jays are ready to break him into the big-league rotation. The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner holds a $16 million player option for 2026, which he will surely decline if he pitches well down the stretch for Toronto.

Atlanta selected Carrasco's contract and will have him start Thursday against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Acquired from the Yankees earlier this week, Carrasco didn't end up reporting to Triple-A Gwinnett and will end up slotting into the opening in the Atlanta rotation that was created when Grant Holmes (elbow) landed on the injured list Sunday. Over eight appearances (six starts) in the big leagues with New York earlier this season, Carrasco posted a 5.91 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 32 innings, but the veteran right-hander had been pitching effectively lately at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Over his five outings this month, Carrasco submitted a 2.23 ERA and 0.93 WHIP while issuing just three walks over 32.1 innings.

The Red Sox transferred Dobbins (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Steven Matz, who was acquired via trade with the Cardinals. Dobbins is out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

Woo (8-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Athletics, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 6.1 innings.

Though Woo completed at least six innings for the 21st consecutive time to begin the campaign, this was far from a strong outing. He tied a season-worst mark by allowing five runs and doubled his previous season-worst tally by surrendering four homers. All of the long balls were solo shots, so Woo was at least able to keep his team in the game. Woo hasn't earned a win in any of his past four starts, posting a mediocre 4.56 ERA despite a strong 1.01 WHIP during that span. He'll try to get back in the win column in his next start, which lines up to be a home matchup against the White Sox.

Springs (10-7) earned the win over Seattle on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Springs racked up an impressive 14 whiffs and seven punchouts while holding the Mariners to one run, which came on a Julio Rodriguez solo homer in the first inning. Springs retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced and tossed an efficient 89 pitches -- 56 of which were strikes. The southpaw has recorded back-to-back quality starts following a five-run, four-inning blowup against Cleveland in his first start coming out of the All-Star break. Springs is lined up to next face the Nationals on the road next week.

Warren didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rays, allowing one run on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out four.

Wednesday marked the first time that Warren worked at least six innings since his June 22 start versus the Orioles. The 26-year-old right-hander matched a season high with 102 pitches as well, and he even issued fewer than two walks for the first time since his June 17 outing against the Angels. Warren still holds a shaky 4.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 128:51 K:BB over 110.2 innings. He's set to square off with the Rangers in Arlington his next time out.

Soriano (7-8) took the loss against Texas on Wednesday, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.

Soriano pitched well Wednesday, notching 12 whiffs and seven punchouts while holding the Rangers to one earned run. However, opposing starter Nathan Eovaldi limited the Angels to one run across seven innings of his own to eke out the victory. Soriano nonetheless recorded his third straight quality start, and he's surrendered just five earned runs over 20 innings during that span. His ERA is down to 3.65 on the campaign, and he's already recorded a career-best 115 strikeouts over a career-high 133 frames.

Martinez didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

Martinez was able to pitch at least six frames Wednesday for the first time in his last five starts, and the seven punchouts represented his highest total since his April 29 outing in San Francisco. The 34-year-old right-hander also tossed at least five frames while yielding two runs or fewer in his fourth straight appearance. Martinez owns a 4.64 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 93:31 K:BB over 127 innings this year, and he'll have his work cut out for him against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in his next scheduled start.

Eovaldi (9-3) earned the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over seven innnings.

Eovaldi was excellent again Wednesday, giving up just a single fourth-inning run. Though he notched only four punchouts, the right-hander recorded 12 whiffs. Eovaldi registered a third quality start over his past four outings and extended his winning streak to five contests. Over those five starts, he's posted a miniscule 0.59 ERA with a 30:8 K:BB over 30.2 innings.