MLB Player News

Williams was charged with a blown save in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning.

Entering the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead, Williams would load the bases with two outs before walking Andruw Monasterio and giving up a game-tying hit to Jarren Duran. It's a tough way to finish the first half for Williams, who's blown back-to-back save chances and allowed four earned runs over his last 3.1 frames. He'll head into the All-Star break with a 4.83 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB while converting 13 saves across 31.2 innings.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Alexander was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his left hand after being hit by a pitch in Sunday's game against the Royals, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Alexander went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored before being plunked in the bottom of the seventh inning and being replaced by a pinch runner. It's a brutal development for the 27-year-old, who is now likely to miss at least the next couple weeks after batting .365 (35-for-96) with 10 extra-base hits, three steals, 15 RBI and 16 runs in 32 games since the start of June.

Thornton struck out five and allowed two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision during Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

The Mets called Thornton up from Triple-A Syracuse to step in as their fifth starter, after the team had previously opted for a bullpen day when the fifth spot in the rotation last came up Tuesday. In what was just his third big-league start, Thornton delivered an eye-opening performance, needing just 82 pitches to record his 21 outs while limiting the damage to just two free passes and a pair of base hits. After Thornton's excellent outing, interim manager Andy Green told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com that the rookie will retain a spot in the big-league rotation to open the second half. The Mets have already locked in Christian Scott, Sean Manaea, Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta as their starters for the first four games out of the All-Star break, so Thornton will presumably make his next start July 21 in Milwaukee.

Hancock had X-rays come back negative on his palm and middle finger after leaving Sunday's start against the Giants, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Hancock was struck by a comebacker during the first frame Sunday and was pulled from the contest with two outs in the second inning. It appears as though the right-hander escaped with a bruise and should avoid a trip to the injured list. If the Mariners want to give Hancock some extra time to recover coming out of the All-Star break, they could simply slot him into the back end of the rotation rather than have him pitch in the first series of the second half against the Giants next weekend.

The Athletics claimed Walton off waivers from the Angels on Sunday.

The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday but will end up back on a major-league roster. Walton played in 32 games for the Halos and was productive at the plate with three home runs and a .319/.352/.505 slash line in 97 plate appearances. He could push Jeff McNeil for playing time at second base while the Athletics contend with injuries to two of their everyday infielders in Nick Kurtz (thumb) and Zack Gelof (knee).

Petersen was lifted midway through the fifth inning of Sunday's game against the Guardians due to a right hamstring injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins treated their final game before the All-Star break as a bullpen day, with Tyler Phillips starting and covering the opening frame before Petersen became the third reliever summoned into the contest. After entering with two outs in the top of the fourth, Petersen induced a Travis Bazzana popout to close out the inning. Petersen stayed in the game to begin the fifth and allowed a leadoff home run to Brayan Rocchio, then recorded two outs before exiting the contest after surrendering a base hit to Kahlil Watson. The right-hander may have tweaked the hamstring at some point during the matchup with Watson, but it's not yet known if the injury is severe enough to keep the reliever out following the All-Star break.

The Tigers placed Valdez on the bereavement list Sunday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Valdez finished the first half with a strong performance Thursday, when he struck out nine and allowed just one run over seven innings against the Athletics. The veteran left-hander will step away from the team for personal reasons just ahead of the All-Star break, and he may not rejoin the active roster until after next weekend's series against the Angels. The Tigers have already listed Troy Melton, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize as their probable starters for the series versus the Angels.

The Astros announced that Matthews was removed from Sunday's game against the Rangers after the first inning due to a left knee injury, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Matthews hurt his knee when he collided with the outfield wall with two outs in the bottom of the first while attempting to reel in a deep fly off the bat of Josh Jung. Taylor Trammell pinch hit for Matthews when his first turn in the batting order came up in the second inning. Trammell will likely serve as the Astros' primary option in center field if the knee issue forces Matthews to the injured list coming out of the All-Star break.

The Blue Jays selected Van Eyk's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Van Eyk will provide the Blue Jays with some extra coverage in the bullpen heading into Sunday's series finale in San Diego and will be making his MLB debut if/when he gets into a game. The 27-year-old righty has mostly served in a starting role at Buffalo this season, logging a 3.79 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 56:25 K:BB across 78.1 frames.

The Blue Jays optioned Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Toronto will swap Dallas out of its bullpen for a fresher right-handed arm in CJ Van Eyk, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Dallas is likely to re-enter the rotation at Triple-A after making his first two MLB appearances in relief for Toronto.