-
Brooks Lee 3B | MIN
Twins' Brooks Lee: Takes over shortstop duties
Lee went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Friday's 3-2 loss against the Guardians.
Lee had been serving in a utility infield role in recent weeks, but he's poised to serve as the Twins' everyday shortstop moving forward after Carlos Correa was traded to Houston on Thursday. While seeing sporadic playing time for much of July, Lee slashed just .164/.219/.269 with two home runs, 11 RBI, four runs and one stolen base on the month.
-
Austin Martin LF | MIN
Twins' Austin Martin: Three hits in leadoff spot
Martin batted leadoff and started in center field, going 3-for-5 in Friday's loss to the Guardians.
Martin has a chance to earn everyday playing time in the outfield after the Twins traded several starters at the trade deadline. While he had an unimpressive .670 OPS in 93 games last year in the majors, he slashed .319/.431/.398 with two stolen bases and a 21:17 BB:K across 137 plate appearances with Triple-A St. Paul this season.
-
Justin Topa RP | NYY
Twins' Justin Topa: Moving to high-leverage role
Topa is likely to be used as the primary setup man ahead of new closer Cole Sands after the Twins traded most of their bullpen Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He allowed a hit in a scoreless seventh inning in Friday's 3-2 loss against the Guardians.
Topa was used in the seventh inning with the Twins tied 2-2, which was a high-leverage role, though he was not being used with a lead. Still, Baldelli's comments show Topa will have an increased role in the bullpen and could be a candidate for save chances if Sands struggles.
-
Cole Sands RP | MIN
Twins' Cole Sands: Set for closer role
Sands will likely work as the primary closer after the trades of Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Louis Varland, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Sands and Justin Topa to be prepared for late-inning high-leverage roles.
Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he's taken a step back this season with just an 18.8 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent last season. He's had the most success of the remaining bullpen arms, so he'll likely get a decent trial in the role. Topa will become the primary setup man.
-
Camilo Doval RP | SF
Yankees' Camilo Doval: Loss, blown save in Yankees debut
Doval (4-3) was charged with the loss and a blown save in Friday's 13-12 loss to the Marlins, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk with no strikeouts in one-third of an inning.
Doval disappointed in his Yankees debut, taking his fifth blown save of the season. The hierarchy of New York's new-look bullpen following the acquisition of David Bednar is not entirely settled, though it's worth noting that Doval has struggled quite a bit recently and is seeing his fantasy stock drop. Since the start of June, the right-hander has a 5.64 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 28:16 K:BB across 22.1 innings.
-
David Bednar RP | NYY
Yankees' David Bednar: Takes blown save in team debut
Bednar was charged with a blown save in Friday's 13-12 loss to the Marlins, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks in 1.2 innings. He struck out two.
Bednar didn't make an encouraging first impression in his team debut, giving up multiple runs for the first time since his May 19 outing versus the Reds. The 30-year-old right-hander should still work with the Yankees' high-leverage group going forward despite Friday's flop -- Bednar owns a 2.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 52:8 K:BB over his last 38.2 innings since and including April 19.
-
Trevor Story SS | BOS
Red Sox's Trevor Story: Swipes bag in win
Story went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Astros.
Story came around to score the tying run in the seventh inning after drawing a walk and swiping second. The shortstop has been driving the ball over his past 10 games, collecting seven extra-base hits, seven RBI, six runs scored and two steals during that stretch. On the season, he's slashing .251/.293/.418 with 17 homers, 65 RBI, 57 runs scored and 18 steals across 438 plate appearances.
-
Bryce Miller SP | SEA
Mariners' Bryce Miller: Smooth sailing in first rehab start
Miller (elbow) made his first rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, allowing one hit and no walks in four scoreless innings. He struck out six.
Miller mowed down the opposition Friday, pouring in 42 of his 52 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old right-hander is working his way back from right elbow inflammation, and he's still likely to need another rehab outing or two before the Mariners feel comfortable activating him from the injured list. Miller posted a 5.73 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 48.2 innings before going down, so he'll be looking to find his footing in 2025 upon his eventual reinstatement.
-
Hunter Brown SP | HOU
Astros' Hunter Brown: Strong effort in no-decision
Brown did not factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over seven innings.
Brown opened with six scoreless innings before giving up a run in the seventh, throwing 65 of 97 pitches for strikes while logging his first quality start since July 2. It was a much-needed performance for the 26-year-old, who had allowed 14 earned runs over his previous four outings and hadn't completed five frames in any of his past three. He'll take a 2.47 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 155:39 K:BB across 131 innings into a road matchup with the Marlins next week.
-
Cooper Criswell RP | SEA
Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Goes seven strong in spot start
Criswell did not factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Astros, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.
Criswell allowed just a solo homer in the second inning and otherwise kept the Astros in check, needing only 84 pitches to complete seven strong frames in his first start and seventh major-league appearance of the season. The 29-year-old now owns a 3.57 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings with the Red Sox, though Friday's outing was likely just a spot start with Dustin May in line to take the fifth spot in the team's rotation.