MLB Player News

Kirk isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

Kirk has notched at least one base hit in each of his last four games, but the Blue Jays will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's contest and instead start Brandon Valenzuela at catcher.

The Rays optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

After joining Tampa Bay's bullpen July 6, Roycroft gave up eight earned runs in 13 innings while striking out 11 batters and walking three. He'll now lose his place on the active roster to make room for Steven Matz (ankle), who returned from the injured list Saturday.

The Rays reinstated Matz (ankle) from the injured list Saturday.

A sprained left ankle has kept Matz on the shelf since June 25, but he's now been cleared to return after giving up three runs in six innings across five rehab appearances at Triple-A Durham. He'll reclaim a long-relief role in Tampa Bay's bullpen and push Chris Roycroft back down to the minors.

Keuchel signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After spending the first several months of the season as a free agent, Keuchel will now get a chance to continue his professional career with the A's. The 38-year-old lefty hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2024 and is unlikely to provide anything more than organizational depth to the Athletics.

Gonzalez entered Friday's game as a pinch hitter and had a double, an RBI and a run scored in a 6-4 win over Toronto.

Gonzalez, who had snapped an 0-for-23 stretch in his previous game Wednesday, delivered the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Since a midseason return from shoulder surgery following a truncated rehab assignment, Gonzalez has been grinding. He entered Friday with a .189/.271/.321 slash line across 60 plate appearances.

Early (elbow) threw an inning in a bullpen session Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Early, who had played catch out to 120 feet earlier in the week, added a bullpen session to his rehab progression. The left-hander also added pitchers' fielding practice to his list of activities. The next steps for Early will be a two-inning session in the bullpen followed by live batting practice. A short rehab assignment is anticipated.

Duran started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over Seattle.

Duran made a second consecutive start at third base, while Josh Jung tends to a sore calf. The injury was not considered serious when Jung left Tuesday's game, but the Rangers held him out of Wednesday's game, figuring he'd be ready to go after Thursday's off day. He tested the injury Friday, per Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com, and was unable to go full speed. Wilson added the Rangers will probably need to make a decision about placing Jung on the injured list Saturday. However it plays out, Duran is expected to fill in at third base for as long as needed. He's hit safely in four straight games.

Varsho went 3-for-4 in Friday's loss to the Red Sox.

It was the center fielder's first multi-hit performance since July 8. Varsho remains mired in a 24-game homer drought, and on the season he's managed just a .688 OPS with seven long balls in 91 contests, but his defensive reputation, power potential and free-agent status after this season will likely make him one of the Blue Jays' more attractive assets at the trade deadline.

Langford went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-4 win over the Mariners.

Langford put the Rangers on top early with a first-inning home run. It was his third long ball in the last five games and fourth in 11 contests since he returned from the injured list July 9. Langford's up to 12 homers, 28 RBI, 32 runs scored and seven steals through 51 games in 2026.

Burger went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 5-4 win over Seattle.

Burger stood out on offense for the Rangers, who began a critical three-game set against the team chasing them in the AL West. He twice delivered go-ahead runs for Texas. His two-run homer in the fourth inning gave the team a 3-1 lead, before a run-scoring single in the sixth put them up 4-3. Burger leads the club with 18 homers and 64 RBI.