MLB Player News

Ragans (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk across three innings in a rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Omaha.

Pitching in a game setting for the first time since June 5, Ragans had been expected to cover just two frames Sunday, but he ended up tacking on an extra inning to his workload after retiring six of the first seven batters he faced. Ultimately, Ragans tossed 45 pitches (34 strikes) in the rehab start, inducing 12 swings and misses while flashing a fastball that sat around 95 miles per hour. Ragans will likely need two more rehab outings to build his pitch count up to a typical starter's workload, though it's possible the Royals pull him off the minor-league assignment earlier than that if they're content with him making an abbreviated start or two in the big leagues upon his return from the 60-day injured list.

O'Neill (wrist) went 1-for-3 with a single in his first rehab game with Double-A Chesapeake on Sunday.

O'Neill played in his first game in more than a month as he works his way back from right wrist inflammation. He served as Chesapeake's designated hitter Sunday and will be eased back into the corner outfield in the coming days. O'Neill should be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list within the next week or so.

Topa was removed from his relief appearance in Sunday's 5-1 win over Kansas City in the ninth inning due to left knee discomfort, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. "I had the doctor look at it and he said that structurally, everything looks good," said Topa.

Topa was in line for a save chance but exited with two outs in the ninth with the Twins holding a four-run lead, paving the way for Genesis Cabrera to record the game's final out. While Topa said that his knee is fine, he may need a few days off for any soreness to subside. Topa previously missed most of the 2024 season due to patellar tendinitis and a small tear in the patellar tendon in his left knee.

Vazquez (shoulder) resumed taking part in baseball activities over the weekend and hopes to return from the 10-day injured list by the end of the season, the Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Vazquez has been on the shelf since Aug. 8 due to a left shoulder infection, which he had surgically removed a couple weeks later. He hopes to return for a final few games of the season so that he can show he's healthy as he heads into free agency this winter.

Burger went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run during Sunday's 4-2 win over the Astros.

Burger capped off a three-run sixth inning with a two-run shot off Framber Valdez. The long ball was Burger's second in his last three games, and his 14th on the year. The first baseman has recorded a hit in six of his last seven games, going 9-for-25 (.360) with eight RBI during that stretch.

Valdez (12-9) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts over seven innings.

Valdez seemed well on his way to a quality start before encountering trouble in the sixth inning. The left-hander struck out a pair of batters to open up the frame before yielding a single, an RBI double and a two-run home run to the next three hitters he faced, respectively. Valdez has struggled since the start of August, owning a 1-5 record, a 5.95 ERA and a 30:14 K:BB across 42.1 innings. He's on track to face Atlanta next weekend.

Armstrong picked up the save Sunday against Houston, striking out one over 1.1 perfect innings.

Armstrong has now pitched more than one inning in three of his last four saves. The 34-year-old hasn't yielded a hit or a walk in three consecutive outings, a streak that spans 3.2 innings. He owns a 2.40 ERA, seven saves and a 64:18 K:BB across 63.2 innings this season.

Corbin didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Houston, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 5.2 innings.

Corbin fell one out short of his second quality start in his last 11 appearances, getting pulled with two outs in the fifth inning after 82 pitches. The left-hander has been volatile recently, having allowed four or more runs in three of his last five starts, including Sunday's outing. He threw eight shutout innings against the Angels in the other start. He'll take a 4.36 ERA into his next start, which is slated to come against the Mets.

Fried (16-5) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Blue Jays.

Fried gave up a pair of runs in the second inning and another in the third but finished his outing with four scoreless frames. In his first three starts of August, Fried coughed up 15 runs in 15 frames. However, he's since turned in four straight quality starts and dropped his season ERA back down to 3.02. The veteran southpaw has produced a 1.67 ERA with a 22:9 across 27 frames over his last four appearances. Fried is lined up to start in Boston next weekend.

Scherzer (5-3) yielded four runs on three hits and four walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out eight and taking a loss against the Yankees.

Scherzer coughed up a three-run homer to Ben Rice in the first inning and an RBI double to Cody Bellinger in the third. It was Scherzer's second straight outing of fewer than five innings pitched, though the eight punchouts were his most since fanning 11 Tigers on July 27. He posted a streak of five consecutive quality starts but has since allowed 12 runs in 14.1 innings, raising his season ERA from 3.60 to 4.36 in the process. Scherzer is currently expected to face the Orioles at home next weekend.