MLB Player News

Cruz was charged with a blown save in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, as he gave up one run on one hit and two walks while recording his only out via strikeout.

Cruz entered in the eighth inning with New York clinging to a one-run lead. He made a mess of things, giving up a game-tying leadoff homer to Tommy Edman before issuing a pair of one-out walks. David Bednar entered for the Yankees following the second of those free passes and was able to extinguish the fire without allowing Los Angeles to cash in either walk. Though he struggled Sunday, Cruz has been quite reliable this year, posting a 2.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:24 K:BB over 41.1 innings spanning 46 appearances while notching four wins, one save and a team-leading 16 holds. Prior to Edman's long ball, Cruz had gone 34 appearances (covering 32.2 frames) without serving up a homer, compiling a 1.65 ERA and 1.10 WHIP during that span.

Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said that Festa (shoulder) is scheduled to visit Dr. Robert Bowers in Atlanta on Tuesday and Wednesday to receive an additional medical opinion after the right-hander recently showed symptoms of a potential recurrence of thoracic outlet syndrome, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old previously had his 2025 campaign cut short after he was diagnosed with neurological thoracic outlet syndrome last September, but his stint on the injured list throughout the 2026 season had been attributed to a right shoulder impingement, which he sustained in late February. With the TOS symptoms having recently flared up again when Festa resumed playing catch, the Twins recently pulled him off of his three-week buildup program designed to get him throwing off a mound. On a positive note, Festa hasn't had to stop throwing entirely, but his chances of pitching for the big club at any point in 2026 appear to be dimming. He'll receive a consultation from Dr. Bowers before determining his next steps, and if Festa requires a stem-cell injection in his shoulder to relieve the TOS symptoms, he'll likely be in store for a prolonged shutdown.

Headrick recorded a hold Sunday in the second game of a doubleheader against the Dodgers by tossing two perfect innings, during which he struck out three batters.

Headrick was the third pitcher to enter for New York in a bullpen game for both clubs. The left-hander thrived during his time on the mound, recording six outs on just 22 pitches, with four of his 15 of his strikes being of the swing-and-miss variety. It was the continuation of a dominant 26-outing span for Headrick, as he's posted a 0.69 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB over 26 innings while collecting five holds and two wins during that span. Coming into the campaign, Headrick had just one hold across 32 career regular-season relief appearances, but he's moved into higher-leverage work this year with 11 holds -- second-most on the Yankees -- over 49 outings.

The Twins plan to re-evaluate Abel (elbow) on Sept. 1, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Abel was placed on the shelf April 20 due to right elbow inflammation and appeared to be on the cusp of a return in late June before suffering a setback and ultimately requiring arthroscopic surgery July 1. Given that he won't even be cleared to throw until he's re-evaluated and will required an extended ramp-up period, Abel appears likely to remain out until the end of the regular season Sept. 27. Even if Abel avoids any further snags when he's eventually cleared to throw and makes it back from the injured list before the end of the season, he won't have enough time to get built back up as a starter and will be ticketed for a relief role.

The Twins optioned Gray to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Gray had started just one of the last four games and four of the past 11 contests. He'll head to St. Paul, while Ryan Kreidler assumes the bulk of the starts at shortstop for the Twins. Gray's demotion frees up a spot on the active roster for the return of Byron Buxton (hip) from the injured list.

Raya (shoulder) struck out two and allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk across one inning in a rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A St. Paul.

Raya appears to be tracking toward an abbreviated stay on the injured list after the Twins deactivated him July 8 due to a right shoulder impingement. He averaged 94.4 mph with his four-seam fastball Saturday, with that velocity being right on par with his season-long average. According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Raya is slated to cover two innings and throw around 35 pitches in his next outing with St. Paul on Tuesday in what could be his final rehab appearance before he gets reinstated.

The Twins activated Buxton (hip) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Buxton had been shelved for nearly two weeks after aggravating a right hip injury, but he's ready to go for the start of the Twins' four-game series in Cleveland that begins Monday. He skipped a rehab assignment, as the Twins were satisfied with the work Buxton put in in recent days between his hitting and defensive drills. Tristan Gray was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.

Blubaugh struck out three and gave up one hit and one walk in a two-inning relief appearance in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Orioles in 11 innings.

With no saves and just four holds this season, Blubaugh hasn't handled a high-leverage role for Houston but has found success as a multi-inning reliever. He's been especially effective over his last 15 appearances, recorded multiple strikeouts in all but one of those outings while pitching to a 2.22 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 25.4 K-BB% across 28.1 innings during that stretch.

Jobe (elbow) struck out three and allowed one unearned run on three hits and no walks across three innings Sunday in his rehab start with Double-A Erie.

Jobe now has three rehab starts under his belt as he works his way back from May 2025 Tommy John surgery. Across those outings, Jobe has compiled an excellent 8:0 K:BB while giving up just two runs (one earned) in 7.1 innings. The right-hander built up to 44 pitches Sunday, so he'll probably need at least two more starts in the minors to increase his workload to a level that would put him in consideration for a spot in the Detroit rotation. The Tigers could also look to bring Jobe back from the 60-day injured list as a tandem starter or bulk reliever if they don't clear a spot for him at the trade deadline.

Javier struck out two and gave up a double over a scoreless inning of relief in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.

Javier made a three-inning start against the Rangers in the Astros' final game of the first half July 12, but he's moved back to the bullpen coming out of the All-Star break. Houston could hand Javier a starting role at some point later on this season, but the club won't have room for him for the foreseeable future with Ronel Blanco (elbow) set to fill the fifth spot in the rotation when he comes off the 60-day injured list Monday.