MLB Player News

Pillar went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's loss to the A's.

The outfielder doubled with one out in the second inning before coming around to score the Angels' first run on a Logan O'Hoppe single. Pillar later added a single of his own, giving him just his second multi-hit performance this month. He has hit safely in two of his last three games, posting two RBI, two runs and two stolen bases over that brief stretch.

Butler went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer, two runs scored and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Angels.

Butler kicked things off for Oakland with a leadoff double before coming around to score the team's first run on a throwing error by Logan O'Hoppe. The outfielder then added a two-run shot in his next trip to the plate, giving him nine homers in July to go along with 26 RBI and 19 runs scored. Butler has also hit safely in eight consecutive games, registering multiple hits in seven of them. Over that eight-game stretch he's batting .545 (18-for-33) with 12 extra-base hits,15 RBI and 12 runs scored.

Ferguson picked up the save in a win over the Angels on Thursday, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.

Ferguson entered the contest with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and fanned the first two batters before retiring Nolan Schanuel on a fly out. It marked the right-hander's first save of the campaign and he's now produced six straight scoreless appearances. Ferguson has also posted two or more strikeouts in four of those six outings. Lucas Erceg worked the eighth inning Thursday, facing the Angels' 2-3-4 hitters, and Ferguson could be in the mix for regular save opportunities with Mason Miller on the shelf due to a fractured pinky on his non-throwing hand.

Rosenberg (0-1) took the loss against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing six runs on six hits and one walk over 3.1 innings while striking out one.

Rosenberg struggled out of the gate, giving up a leadoff double to Lawrence Butler to open the contest before then surrendering a solo homer to Brent Rooker just two batters later. The lefty would go on to allow three homers on the night. Rosenberg had gotten through at least four innings in each of his previous two appearances, which came in relief, but he's been tagged for multiple home runs in two of his three big-league outings this season.

Stripling (2-9) picked up the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out three.

Stripling ran into trouble in the second inning after allowing four consecutive batters to reach base with one out. He would end up being tagged for five runs in the frame but recovered nicely, retiring 13 of the next 15 batters he faced as the Oakland offense roared back in an eventual 6-5 victory. The right-hander has surrendered at least four runs in each of his last three starts dating back to May 18, and Stripling had also lost each of his previous four starts prior to Thursday's win.

Bibee (knee) is listed as the Guardians' probable pitcher for Monday's game in Detroit.

Bibee experienced cramping in his right knee during his most recent start Wednesday, which also came against the Tigers, but the issue doesn't look as though it'll prevent him from taking his next turn through the rotation. The right-hander will carry an 8-4 record, 3.50 ERA and 1.09 WHIP into Monday's outing.

Blackburn (foot) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, MLB.com reports.

Blackburn will make his first start for the Athletics since May 10, when he suffered a right foot stress reaction during an outing in Seattle. Oakland is electing to activate Blackburn despite the fact that he maxed out at 2.2 innings and 49 pitches during his three minor-league rehab starts and was most recently roughed up for seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks in his last outing for Triple-A Las Vegas on July 20. Manager Mark Kotsay said Thursday that Blackburn will be limited to around 65-to-70 pitches in his return, and the Athletics could turn to Joey Estes in relief if length is needed behind the veteran right-hander.

Grossman started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 2-1 win over the White Sox.

Grossman got the start at DH, which has been a revolving door for the Rangers in 2024. Justin Foscue was given a four-game run after being called up last weekend, but he went 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts and hasn't been seen since Tuesday. It's been Grossman and Travis Jankowski the last two days. Eventually, when third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) is ready to return, Josh Smith will likely settle in as the primary DH.

Williams (0-3) took the loss against Detroit on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.

Williams completed six frames for the first time since returning from an elbow injury to make his season debut July 20. The right-hander recorded a season-high nine punchouts and registered a quality start, but a Javier Baez three-run homer in the second inning was enough to stick Williams with his third loss. The 25-year-old tossed a season-high 105 pitches Thursday, so he appears to be fully clear of the elbow issue. His next start is projected to be a rematch with the Tigers on the road next week.

Holton worked as Detroit's opener against Cleveland on Thursday and allowed two hits while striking out two batters over two scoreless innings.

Holton served as the Tigers' opener for the third time this season and was effective in his two innings of work, giving up a pair of doubles but keeping the Guardians off the scoreboard. The southpaw extended his streak of scoreless outings to 12, and he's posted a 13:3 K:BB over 16 innings while notching two saves and two holds during that span. Overall, Holton has registered a 2.97 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 46:12 K:BB across 57.2 frames on the campaign.