MLB Player News

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk in Sunday's loss to Minnesota.

Ramirez belted his 23rd home run of the year in the first inning Sunday. He's gone deep in two straight games and has 10 long balls over his last 26 appearances. Ramirez has also collected multiple hits in six of his last 10 appearances, vaulting his season average up to .302. He now owns a .910 OPS with 46 extra-base hits and 61 RBI through 108 games.

Urena made his first start for the Twins and did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over four innings against the Guardians. He struck out three.

Urena was a late replacement for Simeon Woods Richardson, who had his start pushed back due to an illness. Urena isn't likely to get another turn in the rotation, but he could be used as a bulk reliever or in an opener role, as the Twins' rotation and bullpen remain in flux after the team traded away five relievers Thursday.

Ramirez picked up the save Sunday against the Guardians. Michael Tonkin began the ninth inning with a three-run lead but gave up two runs. Ramirez replaced him to retire the final two batters for a save in his first appearance of the season.

Cole Sands was thought to be Minnesota's new closer after the top five options in the bullpen were traded Thursday, but it was Tonkin who was given the first opportunity. Despite the save, Ramirez isn't likely to be used to close games. However, Sunday's game may be a sign that manager Rocco Baldelli will use a committee approach at the end of games with no set closer.

France (shoulder) allowed four earned runs on two hits and four walks over two innings in his rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Sugar Land. He also hit a batter.

The 30-year-old right-hander moved up to the Triple-A level for the third start of his rehab assignment after previous stops in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and at Double-A Corpus Christi. He pushed his pitch count up to 49 on Saturday, but that was about the only positive takeaway on the day for France, who threw just 22 strikes and failed to record a punchout. France will continue to get stretched out as a starter while he completes his recovery from July 2024 right shoulder surgery, but Houston may not have a rotation spot available for him by the time his 30-day rehab window comes to a close in late August.

Tonkin entered the ninth inning of Sunday's win at Cleveland in a save situation but couldn't hold a three-run lead. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning before being pulled for Erasmo Ramirez, who recorded the final two outs for the save.

Tonkin was given the team's first save chance after the Twins traded their top five relievers at the trade deadline, but he struggled and may have lost his shot to become the closer. Still, it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee to close games the rest of the season, and Tonkin could still be part of the mix.

Cantillo (2-2) yielded four runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out nine and taking a loss against the Twins.

Cantillo rebounded from a nightmare first inning to turn in a respectable final line. He coughed up four runs in the first frame, capped off by a two-run single from Trevor Larnach. Cantillo did not allow another runner to reach scoring position for the rest of his outing. He generated 19 swinging strikes on 91 pitches, including 11 on 14 swings against his changeup. It was the first time this season he punched out more than seven batters in an outing. Cantillo now owns a 4.37 ERA with a 72:30 K:BB across 55.2 frames. He's in line for a road matchup against the White Sox next weekend.

Morton (7-9) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to take the loss versus the Phillies on Sunday.

Morton's Tigers debut saw him turn in a good performance despite taking the loss in a 2-0 defeat. He's posted four quality starts over his last five outings, allowing 15 runs across 30 innings in that span, though seven of those runs came in a July 18 start against the Rays. Morton now has a 5.20 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 107:49 K:BB through 107.1 innings over 24 appearances (18 starts) between Detroit and Baltimore this year. He should get better run support with his new team, but the 41-year-old right-hander is still a risk for a bad performance here and there. Morton is projected to make his Detroit home debut against the Angels.

Sands threw a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a walk while striking out two to earn his ninth hold Sunday against Cleveland.

Sands was thought to be the presumptive closer after the top five options were traded away at the deadline, but he was used in the eighth inning with the Twins having a three-run lead. Michael Tonkin was used to begin the ninth inning but struggled, and Erasmo Ramirez got the final two outs for the save. It's possible Sands was used in the eighth inning to face the heart of the order and is still thought of as the top option in the bullpen. However, after one game it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee in save situations.

The Red Sox will promote Tolle from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester during the upcoming week, Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster reports.

Tolle had been promoted from High-A Greenville to Portland on June 22, but he quickly earned another bump up just over a month later. The 22-year-old lefty was electric during his brief time with Portland, posting a 1.67 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with 37 strikeouts over 27 innings in six appearances, including five starts. The Red Sox will continue to develop Tolle as a starter in the long haul, but if he continues to dominate at the Triple-A level, he could make his MLB debut as a reliever late this season if Boston believes he can provide a boost during a potential playoff run.

Dominguez (2-4) allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Royals. He did not record an out.

Dominguez entered a 2-2 contest in the 10th inning and was immediately greeted with an RBI double by Kyle Isbel on the first pitch of the frame. Dominguez then hit Jonathan India, walked Bobby Witt on four pitches and had his outing come to an end after Tyler Tolbert's two-run single. It was Dominguez's fourth appearance as a Blue Jay after throwing 3.1 scoreless frames in his first three outings. His season ERA jumped up to 3.60 with a 58:25 K:BB through 45 innings.