MLB Player News

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.

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

Peraza will get a breather after making three consecutive starts, during which he went 1-for-11 with a run, an RBI and a steal. Vaughn Grissom will fill in as the Angels' second baseman and bat fifth.

Sandoval took a no-decision Thursday against the White Sox, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Making his season debut for the Red Sox, Sandoval fared well in what also was his first big-league appearance since 2024 following a lengthy recovery from internal brace surgery and several setbacks. The 29-year-old southpaw threw 41 of his 65 pitches for strikes, but he couldn't quite get through the fifth inning as his control began to wane. Connelly Early (elbow) and Ranger Suarez (groin) could both be back shortly after the All-Star break, which would likely force Sandoval into a bullpen role.

Kay (6-4) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Kay got through three scoreless frames to begin the afternoon but fell apart a bit in the fourth inning, when he gave up both of his runs. Lack of control has been a recurring theme in the first half of the campaign for the 31-year-old left-hander amid his transition to the rotation, as he's issued multiple walks in 12 of his 19 outings while hitting at least one batter in 11 appearances. Through 89.1 frames, Kay has a middling 4.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 71:35 K:BB.

Bradford (elbow) will resume his rehab assignment at Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Coming back from an internal brace procedure, Bradford threw two innings in one rehab outing back in early April but had to be pulled off that assignment after a setback. The left-hander is ready to give it another try and is slated to pitch one inning for Corpus Christi this weekend. Assuming the Rangers still intend to bring Bradford back as a starting pitcher, he will need several weeks to rebuild his stamina.

Ober took a no-decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.

Sidelined since May 30 with a right flexor strain, Ober showed little to no signs of rust in his return to the major-league mound Thursday. The 30-year-old right-hander might have been able to last a bit longer had he been more stretched out -- he was pulled after tossing 74 pitches -- but it was still certainly his best showing since a May 12 shutout against the Marlins. Ober will look to have his workload restrictions loosened coming out of All-Star break, holding a 4.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB over 71.2 innings.

Williams (10-4) earned the win Thursday against the Twins, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out 11.

Williams emptied the tank Thursday, matching a season high with 103 pitches, though a Royce Lewis solo homer in the seventh inning put a slight damper on an otherwise dominant performance. A rough stretch since the start of June may have cost the 26-year-old right-hander his first All-Star appearance, but he still has four double-digit strikeout efforts under his belt to go with six starts of at least seven innings. Through 113.1 frames, Williams sports a 3.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 134:37 K:BB.

Blackburn took a no-decision Thursday against the Rays, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in two innings. He struck out three.

Blackburn served as opener of a bullpen game Thursday, serving up a solo home run to the red-hot Junior Caminero in the first inning. However, the three punchouts were a season best for the 30-year-old right-hander, who has made 29 relief appearances as opposed to a pair of brief starts this year. Blackburn hasn't offered much fantasy viability but has been an effective member of New York's pitching staff, posting a 2.31 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB over 46.2 innings.