MLB Player News

The Red Sox acquired Matz from the Cardinals on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Blaze Jordan, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After sending closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets earlier Wednesday, the Cardinals will continue unloading pieces from their bullpen by sending Matz to the Red Sox. Matz, 34, has been effective while making all but two of his 32 appearances in relief this season, logging a 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 55 innings. He's likely to work out of the bullpen for Boston initially, though the Red Sox could have him get gradually stretched back out for a starting role since injuries have tested the club's depth at the back end of the rotation.

The Reds traded Van Belle to the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for Zack Littell, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds acquired Van Belle in a trade with Boston in mid-June, but he'll now be rerouted to Tampa Bay without ever making an appearance for the big-league club. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 3.32 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 81.1 innings between the Red Sox's and Reds' Triple-A affiliates, and he'll likely head to Triple-A Durham now that he's with the Rays.

The Astros acquired Urias from the Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Twine Palmer, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

With Isaac Paredes (hamstring) likely to miss the remainder of the season, the Astros will bring in Urias to replenish their depth in the infield. The 31-year-old is batting .248 with a .688 OPS on the season -- both of which are the lowest marks of his career -- but his ability to fill in at third or second base could help him crack the starting nine on a somewhat consistent basis while Houston navigates a plethora of injuries.

The Tigers designated Owens (hip) for assignment Wednesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Owens has made three appearances for the Tigers this season, giving up one run over three innings while striking out a batter and walking three. He'll now be cast off the 40-man roster in order to free up a spot for Rafael Montero, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta on Wednesday. Owens carries a 5.40 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in Triple-A this season and is also working his way back from a right hip injury, which lowers his chances of being claimed off waivers.

Fairbanks was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss the Yankees, giving up one run on two hits and no walks in one inning. He struck out one.

Fairbanks blew his fourth save of the season and his second of the month of July. The hard-throwing right-hander has been Tampa Bay's go-to weapon for the ninth inning in 2025, although it's fair to wonder if his grip on the closer's role is slightly loosening due to a rough stretch on the mound since early June. Across his last 14.1 innings, Fairbanks has produced a 5.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB while converting six of nine save chances.

Williams was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in one inning.

It was only the second blown save of the season by Williams, but it's certainly been a shaky month of July for him. Over his last 11 innings, the star right-hander has a 5.73 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB. Williams does have a strong 3.48 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings since the start of June, so he's likely to remain New York's top option at closer going forward.

Detroit acquired Montero from Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Jim Jarvis.

Montero will join his third team of the season after logging a 5.40 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 38.1 innings between Atlanta and Houston. He'll likely fill a middle-relief role for Detroit.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Rockies.

Ramirez picked up multiple hits for the eighth time in the month of July, and he's now logged at least one hit in nine of his last 10 games. The All-Star third baseman continues to act as the engine for the Guardians' offense in 2025 -- Ramirez is slashing a potent .310/.391/.545 with 34 extra-base hits, 42 RBI, 55 runs scored and 25 stolen bases across 330 plate appearances since the start of May.

The Mariners optioned Kowar to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

The Mariners had to make room in their bullpen after acquiring Caleb Ferguson from Pittsburgh on Wednesday, and Kowar will officially end up as the roster casualty. The 28-year-old righty pitched three scoreless innings after being recalled from Triple-A on Thursday, lowering his big-league ERA to 1.54 through 11.2 frames this season.

Fry went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Rockies.

Fry socked his fifth homer of the season, and he's begun to show a power stroke despite a lack of average in the month of July. Over his last 43 at-bats, the 29-year-old is batting only .209 but has four long balls, one double and 10 RBI. It's fair to wonder if the Guardians will try to get Fry in the lineup more frequently versus righties-- the righty-hitting infielder has a .530 OPS versus left-handed pitching despite seeing most of his action against southpaws.