MLB Player News

Bednar (4-5) picked up the win after blowing the save in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning victory over the Rays, coughing up two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning. He struck out three.

Called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth, Bednar struck out the side, but not before serving up a two-run double to Hunter Feduccia. The right-hander then backed into the win when the Yankees slugged a couple more homers in the top of the 10th off Tampa Bay closer Pete Fairbanks. The stumble ended a seven-appearance scoreless streak for Bednar, but the blown save was his third since he was dealt to New York at the trade deadline, against three successful conversions. Devin Williams secured the save in the 10th inning, and the Yankees' closer role still appears unsettled with September rapidly approaching.

Smith (shoulder) is a candidate to get called up to the majors late in the season if he's healthy enough, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com report.

Smith has been on the shelf at Triple-A Toledo since July 6 with a shoulder strain, though there is some optimism that he'll be able to return in September, which could make him a candidate to help the Tigers out of the bullpen if a need arises. Prior to getting hurt, the 25-year-old righty had posted a 1.38 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 13 innings across two stints with Detroit before being sent back to the minors in early July.

Rasmussen allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings Wednesday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Rasmussen allowed a pair of solo home runs but otherwise held the Yankees in check. After having his workload limited during a brief stretch in July, Rasmussen has now turned in three consecutive quality starts. He's allowed only four runs (three earned) across 18 innings in that span, maintaining an excellent 15:2 K:BB.

Schlittler came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Rays, allowing one hit and two walks over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The rookie right-hander was perfect through six innings, but he lost his bid for history when Chandler Simpson led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single. Schlittler then saw what would have been his second win of the year slip away when the Yankees' bullpen staged its usual meltdown. Schlittler's eight Ks were still a career high, and he's putting together a dazzling August, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB over 21.2 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Nationals.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Jeffers had started behind the plate in each of the Twins' last four games, so he'll be getting a routine breather Thursday as Minnesota closes out its series against the Athletics with a day game. Mickey Gasper will handle catching duties for the Twins and will form a battery with starting pitcher Jose Urena.

Wallner is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Since being reinstated from the paternity list Aug. 12, Wallner had started in six of the Twins' ensuing eight games while going 2-for-20 with a 3:10 BB:K. He'll get a chance to clear his head and rest up in the series finale while James Outman steps in for him as Minnesota's starting right fielder.

Perez (1-3) took the loss Wednesday as the White Sox were downed 1-0 by Atlanta, allowing an unearned run on three hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Making his first big-league start since April 18, Perez kept the opposition off balance over 74 pitches (49 strikes), but a Colson Montgomery error in the fourth inning let Marcell Ozuna come home with the game's only run. The veteran southpaw could stick in the rotation for the rest of the season with Sean Burke and Jonathan Cannon both looking to get straightened out at Triple-A, and over 28.2 innings for the White Sox in 2025, Perez has delivered a 2.51 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB. He'll look for his first win since March 31 in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Royals.

Urena is slated to start Thursday's game against the Athletics at Target Field.

After tossing 5.2 scoreless innings in bulk relief in his most recent appearance last Friday against Detroit, Urena will pick up his third start as a member of the Twins in the series finale versus the Athletics. Urena has pitched in the majors with four different teams in 2025, logging a 4.06 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB in 31 innings across stops with the Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Twins.

Jung started at third base and went 0-for-2 in Wednesday's 6-3 win over Kansas City.

Jung returned to the starting lineup after getting a three-game break, but his night ended after five innings. Josh Smith entered as a pinch hitter in the sixth against right-handed reliever Taylor Clarke. It looked like a brief July stint in the minors had straightened out Jung, who went 13-for-34 (.382) with four walks, three home runs, eight RBI and eight runs scored over his first 11 games back in the majors. Since then, however, the third baseman is batting .128 with two walks and two RBI over 12 games.

Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a three-run double in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Royals.

Higashioka, who sat out the previous four contests with a hamstring injury, returned to the lineup and provided the key hit in the win. His ninth-inning double cleared the bases. Higashioka's batting just .206 (7-for-34) over 10 games this month, but he's managed to make in impact with nine RBI over the stretch.