MLB Player News

Watson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

Watson had started 10 of the last 11 contests, and the one he didn't start during that stretch was the second leg of a doubleheader. He'll get a breather for Monday's series opener while Chase DeLauter handles right field and Rhys Hoskins is deployed at designated hitter.

The Royals signed Bummer to a minor-league contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Bummer held a 7.63 ERA in 19 appearances for Atlanta earlier this season and has permitted four runs with a 6:2 K:BB over six innings during his time in the minors in 2026. The lefty reliever had a 26.9 percent strikeout rate in his first eight major-league seasons, but his strikeouts and velocity have both been down the last two years.

The Phillies optioned Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Reliever Alex McFarlane was recalled from Double-A Reading in a corresponding move, but the Phillies will eventually need to add a new fifth starter to the mix following Rangel's demotion. The right-hander was sent back to the minors after he was torched for five runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Mets. Over six appearances (three starts) with the big club this season, Rangel has gone 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 23.1 frames.

The Phillies recalled McFarlane from Double-A Reading on Monday.

McFarlane will skip over the Triple-A level and get his first big-league call-up after thriving as Reading's closer this season. The 25-year-old righty converted all 11 of his save chances at Double-A while submitting a 2.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB in 35 innings. McFarlane will likely begin his time with the Phillies as a lower-leverage reliever but could eventually work his way into a setup role in front of Jhoan Duran.

The Rockies acquired Frasso and Landyn Vidourek from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for Seth Halvorsen (shoulder), Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Frasso has moved to the bullpen this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City and turned in a 4.74 ERA and 40:17 K:BB over 24.2 innings. The 27-year-old was added to the 40-man roster by the Dodgers in June but has yet to make his major-league debut. Frasso could get an opportunity with the Rockies sooner rather than later.

Bratt is listed as the Diamondbacks' starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Athletics at Chase Field.

Bratt will get a second turn through the Arizona rotation, despite being chased from his previous start July 12 in Los Angeles after the Dodgers knocked him around for three runs on three hits and three walks over three innings. The 23-year-old southpaw could be in line for an extended run in the Arizona rotation after Zac Gallen (elbow) was recently moved to the injured list.

The Dodgers acquired Halvorsen (shoulder) from the Rockies on Monday in exchange for Nick Frasso and Landyn Vidourek, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Halvorsen is currently on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, but he began a rehab assignment Sunday. Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Dodgers intend to assign Halvorsen to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Halvorsen is one of the hardest-throwing relievers in baseball with an average four-seamer velocity of 98.8 mph, but he's struggled to gain traction at the big-league level with a 4.31 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 66:38 K:BB over 71 innings. The Dodgers will try to coax more out of the 26-year-old.

Triple-A Reno transferred Hoffmann from its 7-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday while he recovers from an undisclosed injury.

After the Diamondbacks optioned Hoffmann to Triple-A on April 29, he submitted a 6.07 ERA and 1.95 WHIP across 13.1 innings over 12 relief appearances for Reno before landing on the shelf. With his move to the 60-day IL, Hoffmann won't be eligible to return to action for Reno until early August.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.

The Astros ended up getting swept during their first series coming out of the All-Star break, but Alvarez did his part to keep the offense afloat. He contributed run-scoring doubles in all three contests of the series, boosting his American League-leading RBI total to 73. Alvarez is also pacing the AL in home runs (31) and ranks first among qualified hitters in batting average (.319), putting him in strong position to become the majors' first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

The Cubs announced July 5 that Miller (elbow) has resumed a throwing program in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Chicago isn't completely ruling Miller out from returning from the 60-day injured list in September, but his main focus is getting back to full health for the start of the 2027 campaign after undergoing surgery last October to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon. Back in February, Miller signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Cubs that includes a club option for 2028.