MLB Player News

Bassitt (back) threw a bullpen session Saturday, per MLB.com.

It's a significant step forward for Bassitt, who's continuing his throwing progression as he works his way back from an extended absence with lower-back tightness. The veteran right-hander received a facet injection in mid-June and then underwent a minor procedure to have a bone spur removed shortly thereafter. Bassitt is likely to require a lengthy rehab assignment once he's cleared for game action, so his return to Baltimore's rotation is unlikely to come until sometime in mid-to-late August.

Barnett (1-1) took the loss against Minnesota on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.

Initial reports suggested Barnett would start Saturday's contest, but that role ultimately went to Brady Basso, who covered the first two frames. Barnett still ended up logging the longest outing among A's pitchers, tossing 54 pitches (35 strikes) across his 3.1 innings. The right-hander got through his first three frames unscathed, but he surrendered two runs in the sixth, which accounted for all of the scoring in the game. It remains to be seen how Barnett will be deployed moving forward, but he could be needed to make a few starts (or bulk-relief appearances) with J.T. Ginn (finger blister) currently on the 15-day IL.

Gomez earned a save against the Athletics on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Four Minnesota pitchers combined to hold the A's scoreless over eight frames, and Gomez was given the ball to begin the ninth. The right-hander didn't take long to close things out and needed just eight pitches (six strikes) to retire the side in order. Gomez entered the campaign with just one career regular-season save on his ledger, but he's emerged as the Twins' primary closer this season. He's a perfect 13-for-13 on save opportunities, and since recording his first save April 18, Gomez has posted a standout 2.04 ERA along with a 34:16 K:BB over 35.1 innings spanning 37 appearances.

Rojas pitched four scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out five batters.

Rojas made his fourth start of the season as an emergency replacement for Mike Paredes, who was a late scratch due to an oblique injury. Though there was no expectation that Rojas would go very deep after having thrown fewer than 50 pitches in each of his three outings since being recalled from Triple-A on July 9, the left-hander ended up hurling 56 pitches Saturday and lasted four frames, tying his longest big-league start of the campaign. Rojas didn't go long enough to qualify for the victory, but he certainly played a big part in Minnesota's win, limiting the A's to just two baserunners (on a single and a walk) and zero runs. Rojas has plenty of experience as a starter in the minors, and he's a candidate to move into the rotation if Paredes and/or Joe Ryan (arm) needs to miss time.

Crawford went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Rangers.

Crawford missed four games due to wrist soreness before returning to action Saturday. He was the only Mariner to log multiple hits in this loss and also plated the team's lone run with an RBI double to drive in Luke Raley in the fifth inning. Crawford has hit .250 (12-for-48) in July and .220 on the season, adding a .699 OPS, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, 38 runs scored, 11 doubles and one stolen base through 83 contests this year.

Woo (7-7) allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings to take the loss versus the Rangers on Saturday.

Woo surrendered all five runs over the first two innings. It's the fourth time in his last eight starts he's given up at least five runs as he continues to battle inconsistency on a week-to-week basis. The right-hander has a 4.37 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 114:24 K:BB through 115.1 innings over 20 outings this year. Woo's next start is projected to be at home versus the Twins.

The Red Sox acquired Mead from the Nationals on Saturday in exchange for Connelly Early (elbow), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Red Sox have been looking for a bat to help lengthen their lineup, and they've opted to ship out a young starter in Early to address that need. The 25-year-old Mead has experienced a breakout season with Washington in 2026, slashing .256/.351/.505 with 17 homers, 48 RBI, 48 runs scored, six stolen bases and a 37:62 BB:K across 322 trips to the plate. It remains to be seen exactly who Boston plays where, but Mead and Caleb Durbin are likely to dominate the playing time between second and third base.

Pederson went 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Mariners.

Pederson has hit safely in his last six games, going 10-for-23 (.435) in that span. He made a rare start at first base to give Jake Burger a day off Saturday, but Pederson will see most of his playing time as a strong-side platoon option at designated hitter. The veteran slugger is batting .251 with an .833 OPS, 17 home runs, two steals, 36 RBI, 41 runs scored, 10 doubles and two triples across 93 contests this season.

Eovaldi (10-8) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over seven innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Saturday.

Eovaldi had allowed 11 runs (10 earned) across 15 innings over his first three starts in July. He bounced back with a gem Saturday, never giving the Mariners much to work with as he threw 61 of 91 pitches for strikes. Eovaldi has maintained a 4.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 130:29 K:BB through 122.1 innings over 20 starts this season, and he's allowed one run or fewer in six of those games. The veteran right-hander is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Rays.

Burke (7-5) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters over six innings.

Burke continued his recent strong stretch of pitching, notching his fourth straight quality start and registering double-digit punchouts for the second time during that span. He got through five scoreless frames, but a three-run Astros sixth, aided by a hit-by-pitch and a Braden Montgomery error, gave Houston all the offense needed to send Burke to the loss. Still, Burke is in the midst of a breakout campaign, and his uptick in punchouts of late -- he's posted eight or more strikeouts five times across his past seven outings -- is particularly promising from a fantasy perspective. The right-hander will look to keep rolling in his next start, which is projected to be a home matchup against the Yankees.