MLB Player News

Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Royals, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Saturday will mark the fifth time this season that Holton has drawn the opener assignment. In his last appearance as an opener against the Guardians on Tuesday, Holton threw 2.2 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits while striking out one batter. Joey Wentz worked an inning of relief in Friday's contest against Kansas City, so Kenta Maeda appears most likely serve in bulk relief, as he did July 28 against the Twins, once Holton is done for the day.

The Astros outrighted Montero to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

After he was designated for assignment Wednesday, Montero unsurprisingly went unclaimed off waivers, given that he's in the second season of a three-year, $34.5 million contract. Montero would have forfeited the money remaining on the contract had he elected free agency, so he'll stick around in the Houston organization and look to impress at Sugar Land with the hope of earning another look in the big-league bullpen. The 33-year-old had appeared in 41 games for the Astros this season, registering 10 holds with a 4.70 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 23:19 K:BB across 38.1 innings.

Bradford is expected to start Saturday's game against the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bradford and Dane Dunning had been in the running to fill the gap in Texas' rotation Saturday, and it will officially be the former on the mound to start the game after Dunning made a relief appearance during Friday's contest. Bradford owns a 3.38 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through 21.1 innings in the majors this season; however, he was lit up for five earned runs in just two frames during his last outing Tuesday.

Rocchio went 2-for-3 with a walk, one RBI, one stolen base and one run scored in Friday's 8-4 win over the Orioles.

Rocchio has started four of the last five games, suggesting he is clawing back some playing time from Daniel Schneemann, though the Guardians have faced three southpaws in that span. Over his last seven contests, Rocchio is 5-for-19 (.263) with two extra-base hits. He's at a .211/.304/.308 slash line with four home runs, eight steals, 21 RBI and 37 runs scored over 308 plate appearances this year. Cleveland has tried a number of players at shortstop in 2024, but the position remains up for grabs.

Kwan went 1-for-4 with a walk, one RBI, one stolen base and one run scored in Friday's 8-4 win over the Orioles.

Kwan picked up his first steal since July 19. Over his last 14 games, the outfielder has been uncharacteristically quiet at the plate, batting just .232 (13-for-56), though he has swatted two home runs in that span. He's at a .332/.385/.484 slash line with 11 homers, seven steals, 31 RBI and 60 runs scored over 83 contests this season.

Smith (6-1) struck out three over 1.2 perfect innings to earn the win Friday over the Orioles.

Carlos Carrasco covered only 4.1 innings, and Smith was able to vulture a win with another strong performance. This outing extended Smith's scoreless streak to 16 innings over his last 13 appearances, and he's allowed just six hits and two walks while striking out 25 in that span. For the season, he's at a 1.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 74:11 K:BB, and he's backed up those stellar numbers with a 1.42 FIP and 2.34 xERA that suggest his results are mostly earned.

Ford is feeling "100 percent" following his concussion and will begin going through protocols to return to action with Double-A Arkansas, MLB.com reports.

Ford took a foul ball off his facemask July 25 and was diagnosed with a concussion the following day. If his recovery continues without setbacks, Ford could conceivably be deemed ready to suit back up for the Travelers in a matter of days.

Crawford (finger) was able to take infield practice with his one capable hand before Friday's game against the Phillies, MLB.com reports.

Crawford donned a protective cast on his injured hand and was able to get through the session without any issue. He's slated for an X-ray on Monday, which will be exactly two weeks since he suffered a fractured pinkie finger against the Angels. Crawford won't begin any sort of progression before Aug. 19, and Mariners general manager Justin Hollander labeled that timeline as "aggressive" and the earliest possible date the veteran shortstop could take that step.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Friday against the Twins.

Vargas has immediately stepped into a significant role with his new club, and he served as the leadoff hitter Friday. His homer in the third inning marked his first hit with the White Sox and fourth long ball of the season.

Rodriguez (ankle) began linear running during the Mariners' off day Thursday and is expected to begin swinging a bat soon, MLB.com reports.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander noted Rodriguez is "pushing it as much as he can" in his rehab, and he added the team's high-performance staff told him the biggest test will come when Rodriguez tries cutting and fast change of direction on the sprained ankle. There's no semblance of a return timetable yet in place for Rodriguez because of the unpredictable nature of high-ankle sprains, but Hollander expressed faith in the star outfielder's strength and recovery ability fueling a return in the not-too-distant future.