MLB Player News

Hancock (6-7) allowed two runs on nine hits, one walk and a hit batsman while striking out three over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Rays on Sunday.

Hancock put too much traffic on the basepaths early. He wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and stranded runners in the second and third frames before the Rays were able to scrape runs together in the next two innings. This was Hancock's third straight loss, and he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 25 hits and four walks over 15.2 innings in that span. Overall, he has a 3.35 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 111:30 K:BB through 121 innings over 22 starts. Hancock's next start is projected to be on the road in Houston.

Harris earned the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Harris was summoned after the Athletics took a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning and stranded two baserunners to close the door. It marked back-to-back successful save chances for the 29-year-old, though he's yielded runs in three of his past five appearances. On the year, he owns a 3.63 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 70:34 K:BB across 52 innings to go along with 10 holds and 11 saves.

Bieber allowed five runs on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Phillies. He struck out four.

Four of the five runs charged to Bieber came off the bat of Kyle Schwarber, who opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the third inning before adding a solo shot in the fifth. Bieber had gone four starts without allowing a home run prior to Sunday, posting a 2.79 ERA over 19.1 innings in that span. His ERA now sits at 5.48 through nine starts (42.2 innings) this season with a 1.66 WHIP and 32:23 K:BB. Bieber is tentatively in line to face the Yankees at home his next time out.

Dobnak (2-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.

Regression appeared to be looming for Dobnak, who had managed to give up just four runs altogether in his prior six starts (31 innings) despite posting a troubling 15:13 K:BB during that stretch. Sunday marked the third time in his career that he conceded double-digit knocks, and the right-hander has still yet to exceed four strikeouts in an outing this year. Dobnak has a 2.00 ERA across 36 frames, but a 1.33 WHIP and particularly a 19:14 K:BB remain causes for concern going forward.

Prielipp took a no-decision against the Brewers on Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.

Prielipp bookended his outing poorly, serving up a Jackson Chourio home run in the first inning before coughing up two more runs in the fifth, but he did register 15 whiffs Sunday. The seven punchouts were the southpaw's most since June 28 versus the Rockies, which also represents his last quality start. Prielipp will be tough to trust when he brings a shaky 4.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 88:32 K:BB over 82.2 innings into his next scheduled outing at home against Philadelphia.

Jansen (forearm) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Jansen has been sidelined since early June while recovering from a right forearm injury, but he's all set to return to game action this week. The catcher was eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, so whenever the team feels like he has shaken off the rust and gotten back up to speed, he'll be able to return to the major-league roster. Considering how long he's been out, it wouldn't be a surprise if he requires a lengthy rehab assignment, but a return to the Rangers before the end of August appears likely.

LaViolette was promoted to Double-A Akron on Sunday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

LaViolette will make the jump to the Double-A level after posting a .238 average with 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 67 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 332 at-bats in 83 contests with High-A Lake County this season. The 22-year-old was selected 27th overall by Cleveland in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, and he'll now have the chance to prove himself against tougher competition.

Smith is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Smith will head to the bench after he went 3-for-7 with two solo home runs, a walk and three runs scored over the first two games of the series. Taylor Trammell will slot in as Houston's right fielder while LaMonte Wade will enter the lineup in left field in the series finale in San Diego.

Alexander (undisclosed) has struck out eight and allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks over eight innings between two appearances for Triple-A Sugar Land since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list July 30.

The 33-year-old righty was stuck on Sugar Land's IL for about six weeks due to an unspecified injury. Alexander possesses a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster, but he's unlikely to get a look in the big leagues in the near future unless Houston loses multiple starters or long relievers to injury.

Kimbrel agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kimbrel elected to become a free agent Thursday after being designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week, and he has now found a new home in Kansas City. The veteran right-handed reliever has appeared in 33 major-league contests with the Mets and Tampa Bay this season, posting a 4.81 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 32 punchouts over 33.2 innings. He'll likely begin his time with the Royals in a low-leverage role.