MLB Player News

Natera secured the save against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

The departure of Kirby Yates to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline has since opened up ninth-inning work for the Angels. Natera appears to be firmly in the mix alongside Ben Joyce, having been scored upon just one time in his past 11 outings while tallying multiple punchouts on eight occasions during that span. Natera is now 2-for-2 in save opportunities, boasting a 2.16 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB with four holds across 25 innings.

Johnson took a no-decision against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and five walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out one.

Despite tossing only 37 of his 78 offerings for strikes, Johnson still managed to keep the Baltimore bats in check Thursday. The lack of efficiency prevented the right-hander from qualifying for the win, and the five walks also represented a season-worst figure. With a 7.11 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 38:25 K:BB over 50.2 innings in 2026, Johnson doesn't appear to be a viable streaming option in most formats for his next scheduled outing against the division-rival Rangers.

Young (8-3) took the loss against the Angels on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

A third-inning Zach Neto three-run home run left a big mark on Young's line, and the hurler never quite got it going Thursday. The right-hander did escape a bases-loaded jam in the third frame to avoid what could've been an even worse outing, but it was still his shortest start since May 17 in Washington. Young will bring a decent 3.43 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 107.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Minnesota.

The Angels will recall Klassen from Triple-A Salt Lake to start Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Klassen will be up with the Angels for the second time this season, after giving up six earned runs in just 4.2 innings across his first two big-league outings back in April. He's been dominant in the minors recently, posting a 1.93 ERA. 1.02 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB in 18.2 frames over his last three starts. He'll now be granted another opportunity with the big club and will match up against a Miami offense that's posted a .654 OPS since the All-Star break.

Barnett (1-2) took the loss against the Reds on Thursday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Barnett was inefficient Thursday, landing just 47 of his 82 pitches for strikes, and he served up three home runs in hitter-friendly Cincinnati. The right-hander did fan a season-high seven, but he'll likely need to do a better job of keeping the ball in the yard if he wants to remain in the Athletics' rotation. Barnett appears close to being able to handle a traditional starter's workload after initially working in bulk relief upon his promotion in late July, but his 5.56 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB over 34 innings may not leave him with much streaming appeal against the Rays his next time out.

Urias was pulled from Thursday's game against the Cubs in the fourth inning due to an apparent injury to his lower half, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Urias tweaked something while legging out a double in the top of the fourth inning. He initially stayed in to run the bases but did not return to the field for the bottom of the frame. The Blue Jays should offer an update on Urias' status shortly.

Contreras (illness) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Contreras was forced to depart Wednesday's game due to illness and will be given some additional rest Thursday. Nick Sogard will fill in at first base and is bat leadoff for the Red Sox in the series finale.

The Royals transferred Avila (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Avila is likely to remain sidelined until 2028 after undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday, so the Royals will stash him away on the 60-day IL. The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for Luke Little, who was claimed off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday.

Antonacci is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Boston.

Southpaw Ranger Suarez is drawing the start for the Red Sox, marking the fifth time in a row that the left-handed-hitting Antonacci has been out of the lineup versus a traditional lefty starter. Luisangel Acuna will play center field in Antonacci's stead.

The Royals claimed Little off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Omaha.

Little lost his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster in the flurry of moves following Monday's trade deadline, but he'll reclaim a roster spot upon joining the Royals organization. He'll begin his tenure with the Royals organization at Triple-A, where he's logged a 5.70 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 23.2 innings this season.