MLB Player News

Martinez went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo home run in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

His homer streak ended at three games following a 1-for-5 performance in the nightcap, but even that knock was a double. Martinez's bat has come to life in July, and the 23-year-old has an eight-game hit streak going in which he's batting .323 (10-for-31) with eight extra-base hits, five two-baggers and three round-trippers. Lane Thomas (foot), who is on the shelf due to plantar fasciitis for the second time this season, could return after the All-Star break and reclaim the starting job in center field if his symptoms have subsided, but it might be hard for Cleveland to remove the switch-hitting Martinez from the everyday lineup given his current form.

Williams came away with a no-decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks over five-plus innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander's control and command continue to be an issue. Williams tossed 59 of 102 pitches for strikes before getting the hook after allowing a leadoff single to Luis Robert in the sixth, but Lenyn Sosa was his biggest nemesis as the Chicago second baseman launched solo shots in the first and fifth innings. The five free passes weren't even a season high for Williams -- he issued six walks May 26 against the Dodgers -- and he's walked multiple batters in 10 straight trips to the mound, a stretch from which he's somehow emerged with a respectable 3.25 ERA and 1.27 WHIP despite a 44:33 K:BB over 55.1 innings.

Clase recorded his 20th save of the season in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

The veteran needed 10 pitches (seven strikes) to dispatch the top of Chicago's order. Clase has been tagged for earned runs only twice in 17 appearances since the beginning of June, posting a 1.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 17.1 innings during that stretch while converting eight of 10 save chances.

Ryan (9-4) earned the win Friday against the Pirates, giving up one run on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.

The 29-year-old right-hander continues to provide length for the Twins, having now worked at least five innings in each of his 19 outings this season. Ryan has also proven to be a fairly high-floor fantasy option during the first half of the year, fanning at least four in all of his appearances. He holds a 2.72 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 121:23 K:BB across 109.1 frames, which helped Ryan make his first All-Star team in 2025.

Bellinger went 3-for-5 with three home runs and six total RBI in a victory over the Cubs on Friday.

In his first game against the Cubs since being traded from Chicago to New York, Bellinger made sure to remind his former team of what it gave away. His two-run blasts in the third, fifth and eighth innings propelled the Yankees to an 11-0 blowout. The 29-year-old outfielder also came close to sending another ball over the fence in the seventh, but Kyle Tucker managed to bring that one back with a leaping catch at the wall. With two games left before the All-Star break, Bellinger now owns an .838 OPS with 16 homers, nine steals, 54 RBI and 53 runs scored on the year.

Rodon (10-6) picked up the win Friday over the Cubs after giving up four hits and a walk while striking out eight batters over eight scoreless innings.

After giving up seven runs to the Mets in his last start, Rodon looked like a completely different pitcher Friday. He terrorized the Cubs' lineup for eight innings, generating 17 whiffs in the process. A trio of home runs from Cody Bellinger highlighted a Yankees offense that gave Rodon more than enough support, and a couple of web gems from Aaron Judge helped keep the shutout intact. Although Rodon fell just short of his first complete game as a Yankee, his brilliant conclusion to the first half will give him a 3.08 ERA headed into the break.

Muncy went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Muncy has been able to extend his run as a lineup regular while Jacob Wilson (hand) has missed the last three games. The homer was Muncy's fourth over nine contests in July and his ninth long ball of the year. The infielder is at a .224/.267/.410 slash line with 23 RBI, 17 runs scored and one stolen base across 195 plate appearances. Muncy may have to settle for a utility role when the Athletics are closer to full strength in the infield, though they could reassign him to Triple-A Las Vegas to receive more consistent playing time.

Westburg went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored during Friday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The 26-year-old infielder opened up the scoring Friday with an RBI single in the first inning and was later driven in by a Ryan O'Hearn double. Westburg smacked two more singles in the third and seventh innings, both of which also led to him coming across the plate. Since returning last Friday from a finger injury that kept him sidelined for five games, Westburg has now turned in three multi-hit performances and is 11-for-25 with three homers, seven RBI and nine runs scored.

Soderstrom went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Soderstrom has logged four multi-hit efforts over his last five games, adding three homers in that span. The 23-year-old contributed his solo shot Friday in the sixth inning as the Athletics attempted to rally from a 7-0 deficit. Soderstrom is up to 17 long balls on the year, good for second on the team behind Brent Rooker (19). Across 95 games, Soderstrom has added 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, five stolen bases, 14 doubles, one triple and a .265/.344/.461 slash line.

Kurtz went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Kurtz sparked the Athletics' comeback effort with his homer in the sixth inning. While he's had a penchant for clutch blasts this year, he struck out swinging in the ninth, ending a rally one run short of tying the game. The first baseman also picked up the first steal of his career Friday, which is just the second theft in his time as a professional. In other words, don't count on him for speed. Kurtz has delivered just fine with power alone, slashing .251/.330/.543 with 16 homers, 42 RBI, 30 runs scored, eight doubles and one triple over 56 contests.