MLB Player News

Kwan went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and a walk during Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles.

Kwan hadn't hit a home run since June 13, but he knocked out two for the first multi-homer game of his career Thursday. It was a rare display of power for the 27-year-old, who is up to just eight home runs on the year. He's much more known for his ability to get on base and limit strikeouts, which he continues to show this season with a .287/.352/.410 slash line with 38 walks and just 35 strikeouts in 376 at-bats.

Soto struck out two in a clean ninth inning to pick up the save during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

The first save opportunity since Felix Bautista (shoulder) hit the injured list went to Soto, and he delivered an impressive inning, sending the Guardians down in order with the help of a pair of strikeouts. It was his first save on the season in his second chance, as he blew his other opportunity June 24 against the Rangers. The left-hander has a 3.96 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched. Soto should be in the mix for saves however long Bautista is sidelined, though the trade deadline could further shake up Baltimore's high-leverage mix.

Morton (6-8) earned the win after throwing 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven, during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Morton rebounded from allowing a season-high seven runs in his previous start by delivering his fifth quality start of the season. The 41-year-old struggled a bit with his control, walking four batters, but battled through it to match his longest start of the season. The veteran right-hander has an unsightly 5.48 ERA on the season, but he has allowed more than three earned runs only twice in his last 17 outings. Morton's next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Blue Jays, but with the trade deadline approaching, that could be subject to change.

Laureano went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Laureano will certainly be disappointed to leave Progressive Field after launching yet another home run Thursday. He finished the four-game set against the Guardians with three home runs and seven RBI, bringing the 31-year-old's season total up to 14 and 43 respectively. With an .858 OPS on the year by virtue of a .277/.337/.521 slash line, the eight-year veteran is on pace for his best season since he had an .860 OPS in 2019.

Gusto will start Friday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Lance McCullers (blister) going to the 15-day injured list Tuesday, the Astros will turn to Gusto to fill the opening in their six-man rotation. Gusto had appeared out of the bullpen in each of his last three appearances, but he's made 12 starts this season and covered six innings back on July 6. He'll be taking the hill Friday on four days' rest and isn't expected to face any major workload restrictions.

Torkelson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Torkelson was having a forgettable game until the bottom of the ninth inning, when he launched his 22nd home run of the season. It's his first long ball in seven games following the All-Star break, but the 25-year-old has been known to go on power surges throughout his career and could be primed for a hot stretch soon. Torkelson's career high of 31 home runs, which he recorded two years ago, could be within reach if he heats up down the stretch.

Jones went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

As has been the case all season, Jones did some damage when facing a lefty, this time taking Toronto starter Eric Lauer deep in the first inning. Jones rarely plays against righties, but he's become a force against southpaws with a .921 OPS and four home runs in 51 at-bats. The 27-year-old has bounced between the minors and majors during his career, though his platoon success this year should allow him to stick around in Detroit as a reserve outfielder.

The Diamondbacks traded Naylor to the Mariners on Thursday in exchange for Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Diamondbacks are expected to unload a number of assets before the trade deadline, and they'll officially kick things off by sending Naylor up to Seattle. Eugenio Suarez has been the primary target for many teams looking to add a bat for a postseason run, but Naylor has fared well in his own right, slashing .292/.360/.447 with 11 homers, 59 RBI, 49 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 93 games in Arizona. Now with the Mariners, the 28-year-old slugger will presumably start every day at first base, taking playing time away from Luke Raley and Donovan Solano.

Javier (elbow) will make the third start of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier made his first two rehab appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Double-A Corpus Christi. After tossing 1.1 innings in the FCL on July 12, Javier built up to three innings in his most recent outing for Corpus Christi last Friday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. He'll likely push up his pitch count Thursday and will presumably need at least one or two minor-league starts after that before he makes his return from the 60-day injured list.

Melton (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After spending more than a month on the injured list due to a sprained right ankle, Melton has finally been given the green light to return to a competitive environment. It remains unknown how long the Astros plan to keep the 24-year-old in the minors, but he may still have enough time to return to the active roster before the end of July.