MLB Player News

DeGrom (12-7) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs on four hits over seven innings in an 8-3 victory over the Mets. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The veteran righty didn't display the same kind of dominance he possessed the last time he stepped on the mound at Citi Field at the end of the 2022 season while a member of the Mets -- deGrom managed to generate only five swinging strikes on 88 pitches (59 total strikes) -- but he didn't need to as the Rangers backed his revenge game with six runs in the top of the first inning. DeGrom was still plenty effective, retiring the final 15 batters he faced in his 14th quality start of the year, and he hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last six outings, posting a 2.91 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 36:6 K:BB in 34 innings over that stretch. He lines up to make his next start on the road next week in Houston as Texas tries to stay in the AL wild-card picture.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Seager (abdomen) was able to rotate his body, MLB.com reports.

Seager's ability to rotate his body enables the Rangers to speed up his recovery. He hopes to begin swinging a bat soon and could return during the team's final homestand beginning Sept. 19.

Smith (shoulder) struck out two and allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk over one inning Wednesday in a relief appearance for Triple-A Toledo after being activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Smith had been on the shelf at Toledo since the All-Star break due to a right shoulder strain before rejoining the Triple-A bullpen upon completing a six-appearance rehab assignment between the Florida State and Midwest Leagues. The 25-year-old righty possesses a spot on the Tigers' 40-man roster and could be a candidate for a promotion in the final two weeks of the season if Detroit has a need for another bullpen arm.

Perez (1-5) took the loss Friday as the White Sox were downed 4-0 by the Guardians, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran southpaw had no margin for error as Tanner Bibee was busy firing a two-hit shutout opposite him, but Perez still delivered his third quality start in his last four outings on 96 pitches (61 strikes). Since coming off the IL in mid-August, Perez has produced a 3.34 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB in 32.1 innings over six appearances (five starts), but he has an 0-4 record to show for it due to a lack of run support -- incredibly, Chicago's been shut out in four of those six games. He's scheduled to make his next trip to the mound at home next week against the Orioles.

Triple-A Toledo reinstated Flores (shoulder) from its 60-day injured list Thursday.

Flores hasn't appeared out of the bullpen in either of Toledo's two games since his activation, but he appears to be healthy again after a shoulder injury had kept him on the shelf all season. The right-hander appeared to be trending toward a return in late August after he made four rehab appearances in the Florida State League last month, but he may have incurred a minor setback that prompted Toledo to delay his activation a few more weeks.

Bibee (10-11) picked up the win Friday, allowing two hits over nine scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the White Sox. He struck out 10 without walking a batter.

Both hits were one-out singles in the third inning, and the right-hander quickly escaped the jam by coaxing a double-play grounder out of Mike Tauchman. Bibee racked up 35 called or swinging strikes among his 103 pitches (74 total strikes) as he produced his first career shutout, and the first by any Cleveland pitcher since Zach Plesac in 2019. The 10 Ks also tied Bibee's season high, and he's lasted at least six innings in four straight trips to the mound, posting a 3.54 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB in 28 innings over that stretch. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Minnesota.

Garcia (quadriceps) will face live pitching this weekend and could return at some point during a three-game series in Houston beginning Monday, MLB.com reports.

Garcia's return estimates have shifted back and forth from this weekend's series against the Mets to next week's against the Astros. He's been out of action since Sept. 1.

Hurter (back) has allowed four earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings in three appearances for Triple-A Toledo since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Sept. 6.

Hurter missed a little under two weeks due to the back issue, so he didn't require a rehab assignment at a lower-level affiliate before he made his return to the Toledo bullpen. The Tigers demoted Hurter to Triple-A on Aug. 17 in what appeared to mostly be a roster-management decision, as the southpaw had turned in a 2.45 ERA with 62 punchouts over 58.2 innings with the big club on the season. However, with Hurter having since picked up the back injury and not yet pitching effectively for Toledo since his return from the IL, the Tigers haven't been motivated to call him back up.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 4-0 win over the White Sox.

Martinez provided an extra run of cushion with a home run in the eighth inning -- an increasingly rare offensive highlight for Martinez, who had last homered Aug. 6. He entered Friday's contest slashing .189/.250/.216 with one RBI since his previous home run.

Arias went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 4-0 win over the White Sox.

Arias doubled and scored the Guardians' third run. He returned from a three-game absence due to inflammation in his right wrist and was back at shortstop. Arias may have his job back, but he hasn't provided lot of offense, slashing .164/.215/.230 with three RBI over the last 20 games.