MLB Player News

Cole didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Pirates, giving up three runs on four hits over seven innings. He struck out 11 without walking a batter.

The 35-year-old right-hander was back in Cy Young form, setting new season highs in innings and strikeouts, but Cole did serve up homers to Jacob Gonzalez in the fifth inning and Nick Gonzales in the seventh to account for all the damage off him. Cole has been taken deep 11 times in 62 innings since making his 2026 debut in late May, marring what's otherwise been an impressive return from elbow surgery last March. He'll take a 3.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 66:12 K:BB into his next start, which is set to come on the road early next week against the White Sox.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Giants.

The future Hall of Famer sparked a five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning when he took Landen Roupp deep for his 14th homer of the season. Perez is up to 317 long balls for his career, tying George Brett for the all-time Royals record. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, he's the third active player to hold his team's franchise HR record, along with the Angels' Mike Trout and the Padres' Manny Machado. Perez could soon take sole possession of first place in the Kansas City record book -- he's gone yard three times in the last five games, and through 15 contests in July he's produced a .273/.349/.564 slash line with four doubles, four homers, seven runs and 13 RBI.

Cruz struck out one and served up a solo home run in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his first career save in a 5-4 win over the Giants.

With Alex Lange having worked the prior two days, Cruz got the call in the ninth and got the job done, although he was taken deep by Casey Schmitt to make things interesting. Cruz has been scored upon just twice in his last 13 appearances, both times on solo shots, and over that stretch the right-hander has a 1.38 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB in 13 innings.

Lugo (4-6) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings in a 5-4 victory over the Giants. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander delivered his second straight quality start and 12th of the season on 94 pitches (63 strikes), and Lugo got rewarded for his efforts when Kansas City erupted for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The win was Lugo's first since June 19, and over five starts and 27.1 innings in July he's managed a 4.94 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB. He'll look to build on his recent success in his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Minnesota.

The Blue Jays optioned Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Estrada had thrown 41 pitches over two innings in Tuesday's loss to the Rays, so he was replaced by a fresh bullpen arm. The right-hander has collected a 4.82 ERA and 6:5 K:BB over 9.1 innings with Toronto in 2026.

The Tigers signed Perez to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Perez has split this season between Triple-A Sugar Land in the Astros organization and the Mexican League. The 35-year-old last appeared in the big leagues in 2023 and is merely a catching depth addition for Detroit.

The Royals signed Lopez to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Lopez will backfill the Royals' organizational middle-infield depth after Andrew Velazquez was called up to grab Bobby Witt's (back) roster spot. The 30-year-old Lopez had been at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization, where he slashed .302/.379/.419 with two home runs and a 13:10 BB:K in 43 games. He hasn't played in the majors since 2023.

The Orioles optioned Walker to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Walker served as the 27th man on the roster for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Boston, but he did not appear in the contest. The lefty has yielded three runs with a 7:2 K:BB over six innings in the majors this season.

Bello allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five over 5.1 scoreless relief innings in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Bello shined in bulk relief for the second time since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester earlier this month. He resurfaced with the team prior to the All-Star break and allowed one run over 4.1 innings in a win over the Yankees on July 12. Given Bello's success while following an opener this season (0.77 ERA in six outings), Boston interim manager Chad Tracy may want to keep him in that role for the stretch run rather then sending him back to the minors.

Seager (back) could begin live batting practice sessions this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Seager continues to progress through his rehab from lower-back inflammation. He's moved from hitting off a tee to soft toss and machine work in the batting cage, while also taking groundballs and running the bases. Facing pitchers will be the next step, presumably followed by a rehab assignment.