MLB Player News

Early (7-5) earned the win over the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out nine batters over six innings.

The southpaw got into trouble early, giving up a run on three hits in the first inning. However, he settled down from there, yielding just one more run on a Jose Caballero solo homer in the fourth. Early racked up an impressive 17 whiffs and set a season-high mark with nine punchouts. He was also able to give the Red Sox some length, going six frames for a second straight start after failing to do so across his first three outings in June. Early has had occasional rough appearances but has held his own so far during his first full big-league season, posting a 3.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 88:32 K:BB through 87.2 frames.

The Yankees optioned Escarra to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

With Escarra headed back to the minors, it means Ali Sanchez will likely be activated from the paternity list ahead of Friday's game against Boston. Escarra didn't see action in any of the three games after he was recalled Tuesday.

Latz secured the save Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Latz needed every bit of a 6-3 cushion Thursday, watching his scoreless streak of 12 frames come to an end. The 30-year-old left-hander should still be locked into the Rangers' closer job, as he's successfully nailing down 10 save opportunities in a row. Through 38 innings, Latz has a superb 1.89 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB while converting 15 of his 17 save chances.

Gore (5-6) earned the win Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out five.

Toronto did all of its of damage during a three-run fifth frame, but Gore kept the Blue Jays off balance otherwise. The 27-year-old southpaw induced 10 groundouts on the evening, and he's now logged four quality starts in his past seven outings after recording just one such effort in his first 10 appearances of 2026. Gore, who has a 4.05 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 97:38 K:BB over 91 innings, is next set to face a Guardians lineup that has an atrocious .453 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of June.

Gausman (4-6) took the loss Thursday against the Rangers, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.

After being torched for seven runs Friday against the Cubs, Gausman struggled on the hill once again Thursday while matching a season worst in hits allowed. The Rangers did most of their damage during a five-run third frame while taking Gausman deep three times on the evening. The 35-year-old right-hander will try to get back on track at home against the Mets next week, now holding a 4.36 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 93:22 K:BB over 95 innings.

De Los Santos secured the save Thursday against the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

De Los Santos served up a solo home run to Dillon Dingler before letting the possible tying run get aboard, but Colt Keith grounded into a double play to end the game. Closer Josh Hader worked each of the past two days, so De Los Santos should revert back to a setup role going forward. The right-hander has a 4.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 35.2 innings while converting five of his seven save chances.

Melton (4-1) took the loss Thursday against the Astros, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.

That makes it back-to-back quality starts for Melton, who now has four such efforts over just six outings this year. The 25-year-old right-hander has been particularly hard to hit in 2026, giving up four hits or fewer on four occasions so far. Melton boasts a 2.39 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 37.2 innings, but his next matchup is an especially difficult draw in New York against the first-place Yankees.

Imai (5-3) notched the win Thursday against the Tigers, allowing no runs on two hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out 10.

Imai was brilliant on the mound Thursday, scattering two singles over six shutout innings. The 28-year-old right-hander has recorded double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back quality starts, a stretch which comes on the heels of his second-shortest outing of the season June 12 in Kansas City, where he surrendered five runs over two-thirds of an inning. Imai will try to further improve on his 5.36 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 58:25 K:BB in his next scheduled appearance at home versus the Twins.

Dingler went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run and two strikeouts in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Astros.

Dingler entered the ninth inning having not put the ball in play but quickly changed that, lacing the first pitch from Enyel De Los Santos over the center-field wall for his 19th home run of the season. The Detroit catcher now has three long balls across his last six games and eight homers in 21 contests this month. The 19 deep flies overall is a career high for Dingler, who had 13 home runs in 126 regular-season games last year.

Barnett earned the save in Thursday's 9-6 win over the Giants, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

It's Barnett's second save in his first eight appearances in the majors this season. The 25-year-old right-hander has quickly ingratiated himself in the A's bullpen, allowing just two runs on seven hits and seven walks while striking out 19 in his first 14.2 innings. Barnett made five starts with Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the year, where he posted a 4.64 ERA over 42.2 innings, but he's now pushing for a high-leverage role in the majors.