MLB Player News

Judge went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a two-run home run during Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Cubs.

After smashing a two-run home run in the ninth inning to finally put the Yankees on the board, Judge has recorded at least one RBI in six straight games with 10 total over that stretch. The 33-year-old is in the midst of another MVP-caliber season and perhaps the best year of his already illustrious career, slashing .358/.465/.739 with 35 home runs and 81 RBI with one game to go before the All-Star break.

Varsho (hamstring) is slated to begin a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Varsho landed on the injured list June 1 with a strained left hamstring, and a setback he suffered in late June has caused his stay on the IL to run a bit longer than originally anticipated. After running the bases multiple times this week without any issues, he's now been given the go-ahead to return to competition. The Blue Jays haven't committed to a target date for the 29-year-old's return, though there's a chance he'll be ready for the start of the second half.

Mountcastle (hamstring) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk on July 22, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

A Grade 2 right hamstring strain has kept Mountcastle on the injured list since the end of May. By beginning minor-league play July 22, the 28-year-old is still in a position to be activated when first eligible July 30, as he'll have more than a full week to ramp up in Triple-A.

Akin (shoulder) will throw live batting practice at the Orioles' complex in Florida on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Assuming everything goes well during Akin's live session, the plan is for him to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk sometime next week. The 30-year-old southpaw has been on the IL since July 2, so he likely won't need more than one or two tune-up appearances in the minors before rejoining the Orioles.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that he hasn't discussed with Houck (elbow) about what his role will look like once he returns from the 15-day injured list following the All-Star break, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox recalled Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, and Cora indicated that he would get the first chance at replacing the injured Hunter Dobbins (knee) in the rotation. Unless the Red Sox decide to commit to a six-man rotation or elect to move Walker Buehler to the bullpen, Houck doesn't look as though he'll have a starting role waiting for him once he's activated. The skipper's hesitance in clearing a spot in the rotation for Houck is justified, as the right-hander owns a hefty 8.04 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through nine starts. He had an up-and-down performance during his five rehab starts between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, submitting a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15.2 innings.

Fried was removed from Saturday's game against the Cubs due to a blister on his left index finger.

Fried threw 73 pitches in a rare disaster of a start between him constantly looking at his thumb and getting some unfortunate bounces off weak contact and then an error in what will be his shortest start of an All-Star season. He gave up four runs (three earned) and struck out a modest two hitters while throwing just 39 strikes. The one bit of positive news here is that Fried and the Yankees have the All-Star break working in their favor ahead of Fried's next scheduled start.

Naylor isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

Naylor went 0-for-4 with a walk in the final game of Friday's twin bill and will now take a seat on the bench while Austin Hedges catches for starter Tanner Bibee.

Burke notched a hold against the Diamondbacks on Friday with a perfect inning of work.

Burke inherited a 5-4 lead when he entered in the sixth inning and breezed through a trio of Arizona hitters on 13 pitches. The southpaw hasn't been getting used much in high-leverage situations of late -- this was his first hold since June 16 -- but he's been one of the Angels' most effective relievers for the past month. Since June 7, Burke has posted a 0.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB over 12.1 frames spanning 17 appearances. He's largely been used in brief spurts as a lefty specialist, as nine of those 17 outings have lasted less than one full inning.

Neto went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in a 6-5 win against Arizona on Friday.

Neto helped his team get off to a fast start when he crushed a 447-foot solo homer to lead off the bottom of the first inning. It was the second straight game with a long ball for the talented young shortstop, and he finished with multiple hits for the third straight contest. Neto is up to 15 home runs and 16 stolen bases on the campaign, making him one of just 11 big leaguers so far this season to reach 15 in both of those categories.

Fermin isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Mets.

Fermin will sit down for the fourth time in five games after making five consecutive starts earlier in the month. Salvador Perez will serve as Kansas City's catcher while Jonathan India gets a turn as the DH.