MLB Player News

Lugo (11-4) took the loss against Boston on Saturday, allowing five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out six batters over five innings.

It was a great first half overall for Lugo, who was recently named an All-Star for the first time in his career. However, the veteran hurler didn't have his best stuff Saturday, as he yielded a season-high 10 hits, while the five runs tied a season-worst mark. Lugo will still enter the break with a 2.48 ERA (fourth best among qualified pitchers) and 11 wins along with a 1.09 WHIP and 116:30 K:BB over 127.0 innings.

Crawford (6-7) earned the win over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing two hits and issuing one walk while striking out four batters over seven-plus scoreless innings.

Crawford was sharp in the outing, allowing just a third-inning double and an eighth-inning single along with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. The right-hander capped the pre-All-Star-break portion of the campaign with consecutive seven-inning scoreless outings, and he's on a streak of six straight quality starts. Overall, he's pitched to a 3.04 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 110:29 K:BB over 112.2 innings across 19 starts.

Garcia (elbow) will join the Blue Jays ahead of Sunday's game in Arizona and could be activated from the 15-day injured list for the series finale with the Diamondbacks, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia had his second rehab appearance pushed back twice due to neck stiffness, but he was able to pitch two-thirds of an inning Friday with Triple-A Buffalo. The 33-year-old has been shelved since June 17 due to right elbow ulnar neuritis. With Jordan Romano (elbow) likely out until September, Garcia could enter the second half of the season as the Blue Jays' closer.

The Nationals traded Harvey to the Royals on Saturday in exchange for minor-league infielder Cayden Wallace and the 39th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Harvey was excellent to start the 2024 season, recording a 2.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 29.1 innings before June, but he has struggled since. He's surrendered a run in seven of 16 appearances since June 1, posting an 8.04 ERA during that stretch. The 29-year-old has 26 holds this season and could push for a high-leverage role with Kansas City. Per Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star, Harvey won't join the Royals in time for Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox.

The Royals designated Anderson for assignment Saturday.

Anderson's move off the 40-man roster clears a spot for right-hander Hunter Harvey, whom the Royals acquired from the Nationals on Saturday. Over 34.2 innings out of the bullpen this season, Anderson logged a 4.15 ERA and struck out 29 batters across 34.2 innings with Kansas City. He's under contract at a modest $1.58 million salary for 2024, so it wouldn't be surprising if another reliever-needy team put in a waiver claim for Anderson.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Jansen will yield to Alejandro Kirk behind the dish for the third time in four games, with Kirk batting sixth Saturday. Jansen has been working through a slump, but he appears to be turning the corner, reaching safely six times in his last two starts.

Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Even with righty Yilber Diaz on the mound for Arizona, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will take a seat. Kiermaier cleared waivers Friday and it seems as though he'll remain with the Blue Jays for the time being. Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and George Springer fill the outfield from left to right Saturday.

Bichette (calf) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Bichette will be held out of the lineup for a third consecutive game due to a strained right calf. Leo Jimenez will bat ninth and play shortstop. Sunday will be Bichette's final chance to re-enter the starting lineup before the All-Star break.

Hays was removed from Saturday's game against the Yankees due to adductor soreness, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Hays went 1-for-2 with a strikeout before being lifted in the seventh inning. The outfielder has been on the short side of a platoon in left field and with lefty Carlos Rodon expected to start for the Yankees on Sunday, Hays could be back in action for the Orioles' final game before the All-Star break if he's feeling up to it.

Jeffers will catch and bat third Saturday against San Francisco.

Jeffers was initially slated for a day off but will enter the lineup in the wake of Carlos Correa's (heel) late scratch. As part of the lineup shuffle, Christian Vazquez will play third base and Matt Wallner will DH. Jeffers owns an .804 OPS with 14 home runs across 289 plate appearances this season.