MLB Player News

Alcantara (10-6) allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out three over seven-plus innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Astros.

Alcantara had limited the damage to two runs through seven frames, but he gave up three more runs on homers by Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes in the eighth. Alcantara has gone at least six frames in all four of his starts in July, allowing 10 runs over 28 innings with a 26:6 K:BB this month. For the season, the veteran right-hander has a 4.01 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 110:38 K:BB across 143.2 innings through 22 outings. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Phillies.

Iglesias secured the save Wednesday against San Diego, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

Atlanta summoned Victor Mederos to record the final three outs of a 7-1 game, but he coughed up four runs to create a save situation in the ninth inning. Iglesias was shaky himself, serving up a solo home run to Luis Rengifo but held on to put out the fire. Although Iglesias has blown just one save and sports a 2.57 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB with 20 saves over 35 innings in 2026, he has given up 10 runs across his last 19.1 frames after opening the year with a scoreless streak of 15.2 innings.

Paredes went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Paredes has homered in consecutive contests. He's also on an eight-game hitting streak, having gone 12-for-31 (.387) with seven RBI in that span. The third baseman is now batting .263 with a .792 OPS, 14 long balls, 54 RBI, 42 runs scored, 18 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 97 contests in a near-everyday role.

The Red Sox optioned Rivera to Triple-A Worcester following Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Rivera drew the start in the second game of the twin bill but was unable to escape the first inning, coughing up four runs on three hits and two walks while recording two outs in 41 pitches. His demotion will free up a spot in the rotation that will likely be filled by Ranger Suarez (groin/illness) during Boston's upcoming series against Toronto. Until then, Alec Gamboa will remain with the big club to provide additional depth to the bullpen.

Pena went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Pena has turned up the power, going deep in three straight games against Miami. He's added six RBI and five runs scored in that span. Prior to this surge, the shortstop had gone 14 contests without a long ball. He's batting .302 with an .834 OPS, nine homers, 28 RBI, 42 runs scored, nine doubles and eight stolen bases over 56 contests while primarily serving as Houston's leadoff hitter when healthy.

Lee went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Lee hit his fifth home run of the season in the fourth inning against Chicago starter Colin Rea with two runners on, which helped break the game open for the Tigers. The 23-year-old has held his own during his rookie campaign with a .256 batting average and .685 OPS across 60 contests. However, the recent return of Gleyber Torres (oblique) from the injured list is likely to cut into Lee's playing time at second base.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Alvarez has hit safely in nine straight games, seven of which have been multi-hit efforts. He has gone 17-for-33 (.515) with five homers and 10 RBI in that span. The star slugger has been excellent throughout the campaign, batting .328 with a 1.089 OPS, 34 homers, 77 RBI, 69 runs scored, 20 doubles and one stolen base through 102 contests. If he stays healthy, he is tracking toward career-best marks in homers and RBI and should receive plenty of MVP buzz.

Cecconi (4-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Twins after giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings.

Cecconi continues to struggle in July after an efficient June, during which he yielded two runs or fewer in all five of his starts. The right-hander has now allowed at least three runs in each of his three July outings, leaving him with a 7.43 ERA across 13.1 innings this month. The three walks issued Wednesday are also his most since May 7. The 27-year-old is expected to start next week against the Reds.

Abreu struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Josh Hader had pitched in the first two games of the series versus Miami and was presumably rested Wednesday. Abreu got the job done with ease, throwing nine of 14 pitches for strikes to claim his sixth save this season. The veteran reliever has allowed two runs over seven innings with a 9:2 K:BB in July. Abreu hasn't logged a hold since the end of May, but he has collected three saves across 16 outings in that span. For the season, Abreu is at a 5.29 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 43:27 K:BB through 34 innings. At this time, it appears there's little chance of Abreu claiming a large share of high-leverage spots, though he's in the mix -- along with Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos -- for save chances when Hader's not available.

Torkelson went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Torkelson hit his 19th home run of the season in the second inning against Chicago starter Colin Rea. The slugging first baseman has now gone deep five times across his last 11 games as he continues to find his power stroke following a slow start to the season. Torkelson is seeking his second straight 30-homer campaign and third overall in his MLB career.