MLB Player News

Rodriguez (back) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list and start Friday against Minnesota, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After completing 5.1 strong innings on 78 pitches in his second rehab start last Saturday, Rodriguez will officially rejoin the big-league club on Friday and make his first appearance since June 14. This will wrap up the right-hander's second stint on the IL this season after missing over a month to start the year due to a shoulder injury. In six starts this season, the 26-year-old has posted an 8.06 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB through 25.2 innings.

Lopez will serve as the Athletics' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the White Sox, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Lopez was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and pitched in relief later that night, surrendering four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings in a loss to the Tigers. He'll pick up his 11th start of the season three days' later, but Lopez will most likely be capped around 1-to-3 innings before exiting the game. Friday had been Aaron Civale's turn in the rotation, so he's the most likely pitcher to work in bulk relief once Lopez exits the contest.

Jansen worked around a hit and a walk to secure the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Athletics. He struck out one.

Jansen wasn't his sharpest as he allowed a few baserunners and needed 19 pitches to get through the ninth inning, but he still managed to lock down his 11th save in 15 chances this season. The veteran hasn't been his typical dominant self with a 4.76 ERA across 22.2 innings, which is up from 2.59 last year and his career ERA of 2.62. Despite some struggles, Jansen seems locked in as Detroit's closer, and his impressive MLB track record suggests he could pitch better as the season rolls along.

Valencia went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and was also hit by a pitch in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Athletics.

Valencia received his first call to the majors earlier in the day, and he supplied a special moment when he appeared as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. The 26-year-old Venezuelan lifted the fourth pitch of his first MLB at-bat over the wall in center for his first career home run. Valencia spent eight seasons in the minors before getting promoted to provide some catching depth as Dillon Dingler manages a thumb injury. Dingler's injury isn't considered serious and may return to the lineup soon, which could send Valencia back to Triple-A Toledo, though he's firmly in the mix to provide MLB depth the rest of the season as needed.

Rogers went 1-for-1 with two walks and a solo home run in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Athletics.

With Dillon Dingler getting the night off a day after taking a foul ball off his right thumb, Rogers stepped into the starting lineup and went deep for the second straight game. X-rays came back negative on Dingler's thumb, so he may be able to return soon, but the Tigers also only have three more games before the All-Star break and may play it safe with their starting catcher. If that's the case, Rogers should get a few more chances to shine before returning to a backup role in the second half.

Rice went 2-for-4 with two home runs, five RBI, a walk and an additional run scored in Thursday's 12-4 win over the Rays.

Rice delivered his first multi-homer game of the year Thursday and the fourth of his career, amassing a season-high five RBI in the process. Following a dreadful month of June, when he hit .196 with just seven extra-base hits over 102 at-bats, the All-Star slugger is returning to form in July. Rice has gone deep five times while collecting 11 RBI in only 29 at-bats during July thus far, now slashing .275/.366/.590 with 28 long balls, 15 doubles, 65 RBI and 63 runs scored across 377 trips to the plate overall.

Chapman secured the save Thursday against the White Sox, throwing a clean ninth inning.

Chapman made quick work out of the Chicago bats, landing all but one of his nine pitches for strikes. The hard-throwing left-hander has been shaky lately, having yielded six runs with two blown saves over his last seven innings, though he managed his first perfect outing Thursday since June 5 against the Yankees. Through 27.2 innings, Chapman has a 2.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB with 19 saves in 21 opportunities.

Smith secured the save Thursday against the Twins, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.

With Thursday's save, the 27-year-old right-hander moved in front of Bryan Baker for the major-league lead. Cade Smith has flourished as Cleveland's full-time closer in 2026, posting a 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 61:11 K:BB with 27 saves in 30 attempts over 42.1 innings. Smith has yet to allow a hit across four outings in July so far.

Gelof exited Thursday's contest against the Tigers in the third inning with a right knee injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Gelof made a sliding catch for the first out in the bottom of the third inning, but he slammed his right leg into the left field wall in the process, and he was forced to exit the game as a result. The 26-year-old will finish his night having gone 0-for-1 in his only at-bat, and Lawrence Butler has replaced him the outfield against Detroit. More information on Gelof's status will likely be provided in the near future.

Adell isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Adell will get a chance to catch his breath after going 2-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored during Wednesday's contest -- his third consecutive game with two or more hits. Josh Lowe will patrol right field and bat sixth while Adell sits.