MLB Player News

The Astros are expected to select Whitcomb's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 25-year-old is one of the Astros' top remaining prospects after the trade deadline and has taken a major step forward at Triple-A this season with 25 homers, 26 steals and a .293/.378/.530 slash line in 108 games, which earned him his first look in the big leagues. Whitcomb has played all over the diamond at Sugar Land, and while he's seen most of his playing time at second base, third base and shortstop, Houston's major lineup hole is at first base. The utility player is likely to see plenty of action there in addition to the corner outfield and designated hitter spots.

Santana went 0-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Rangers.

Santana walked in his third trip to the plate before swiping second base, giving him his fourth stolen base of the season. The first baseman then came through in the clutch, driving home Matt Wallner with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to put Minnesota on top. Santana has struggled at the dish in August, batting just .195 (8-for-41) with two homers, three RBI and eight runs scored. However, he's driven in a run in back-to-back games and has scored at least one run in three of his last four.

Yates (4-2) took the loss against the Twins on Thursday, allowing one run on two walks over one inning while striking out one.

Yates entered the game with the score tied in the top of the ninth and retired the first batter before surrendering back-to-back walks. The right-hander would then see a run come home after allowing both runners to advance on a wild pitch, followed by a sacrifice fly from Carlos Santana. It was only the second loss of the season for Yates, with the previous one coming back on June 18 against the Mets. The earned run was also the first that's been charged to the veteran this month, while Thursday's appearance was his first in 2024 in which he issued multiple walks.

Duran picked up the save in Thursday's win over the Rangers, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Duran entered the contest with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and retired the first two batters on strikes before getting Josh Smith to ground out for his 17th save of the season. The right-hander has allowed only one run this month over five appearances, posting a 7:0 K:BB over that stretch while recording two saves. He's also recorded at least two strikeouts in three of his last six outings.

Bradford did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Twins on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings while striking out two.

The southpaw got tagged for a leadoff homer by Willi Castro and a Kyle Farmer triple to open the second inning, with the latter resulting in a second run for Minnesota following a fielding error by Leody Taveras. However, Bradford would then keep the Twins off the scoreboard over the next four frames before being relieved by Jose Leclerc to begin the seventh. It marked Bradford's third quality start of the campaign and his first since April 10 against the Athletics. He's allowed three or fewer runs in all three of his starts this month, posting a 14:3 K:BB over that stretch.

Ober did not factor into the decision in a win over the Rangers on Thursday, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks over seven innings while striking out three.

All of the damage against Ober came in the opening frame when he allowed four of the first batters to reach base, leading to two runs coming across for Texas. The right-hander then held the Rangers scoreless over the next five frames, logging his 10th consecutive quality start. Ober has surrendered just one home run over his last four outings, though he's also issued multiple walks in four straight. Thursday's no-decision also snapped a four-game winning streak for the 29-year-old.

The Red Sox will activate Casas (ribs) from the 60-day injured list ahead of Friday's game in Baltimore, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Casas is finally ready to rejoin the Boston lineup after being shelved since late April with a cartilage tear in his left ribcage. The first baseman slashed .300/.404/.550 with one home run and seven doubles over 11 rehab games with Triple-A Worcester. Casas will be the everyday first baseman down the stretch, although it's possible he'll be given some extra off days initially following such a long layoff.

Mullins went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and a stolen base in Thursday's win over Boston while also being hit by a pitch.

Mullins was plunked by Nick Pivetta in his first trip to the plate but got his revenge the next time through the order, smacking a leadoff home run in the fifth inning on a hanging slider to give Baltimore a 3-1 lead. It marked the 13th long ball on the season for the outfielder and his second this month, but he's still batting just .194 (6-for-31) with three RBI and five runs scored in August. Mullins also swiped his 20th bag in Thursday's contest and has hit safely in each of his last three starts.

Pivetta (5-8) took the loss against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.

Pivetta kept the Orioles off the scoreboard for the first three innings before surrendering a two-run homer to Gunnar Henderson in the fourth and then a leadoff shot to Cedric Mullins to open the fifth. It marked the fourth consecutive start in which the right-hander has coughed up two long balls and he's also given up at least three runs in three of his last four outings. Pivetta has lost four of his last five decisions (spanning eight starts). However, he's also racked up six or more strikeouts in six of his last seven starts.

Eflin (9-7) picked up the win over the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits over six innings while striking out eight.

Eflin allowed hits in four of his six innings of work but managed to keep Boston's offense at bay, aside from a leadoff homer by Wilyer Abreu to open the fourth. The right-hander induced 12 whiffs on the night and racked up a season-high eight strikeouts while not issuing a free pass for the second time in his last four starts. Eflin is now 4-0 since being acquired by the Orioles, logging quality starts in all four outings. Through three starts this month he carries a 1.40 ERA to go along with a robust 18:2 K:BB.