MLB Player News

Lord is slated to start Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami.

Lord will make his third consecutive start, though he's covered just 3.1 total innings in his prior two appearances. The Nationals are expected to once again deploy Lord as more of an opener, with lefty Will Dion profiling as the top candidate to pitch in bulk relief.

The Yankees signed Morgan to a minor-league contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Morgan had recently elected for free agency after being removed from the Royals' 40-man roster. The right-handed reliever has logged a 5.12 ERA and 16:9 K:BB over 19.1 innings in the majors this season, and he holds a 1.40 ERA and 35:15 K:BB across 25.2 frames at the Triple-A level in 2026.

Webb (shoulder) is listed as the Giants' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game in Boston.

Webb took a comebacker off his right shoulder during his previous start last Saturday against the Rockies, but he looks like he won't miss a turn through the rotation. The right-hander shouldn't be in store for any major workload restrictions Friday and will look to continue his strong run since the All-Star break. Through his last six outings, Webb has gone 3-0 with a 2.56 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB in 38.2 innings.

Fluharty will serve as the Blue Jays' opener in Friday's game against the Yankees, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Spencer Arrighetti (foot) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list and work in bulk relief behind Fluharty, who has been been in a groove in August. Over 11 appearances on the month, Fluharty has tossed eight scoreless innings while yielding no hits and two walks.

Duran went 2-for-2 with two walks, a triple, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 2-0 win over the Nationals.

Duran's made little impact over the last two weeks, but he broke out Thursday. He entered the contest on a 6-for-47 (.128) run with one RBI over the previous 13 games. The stolen base was his 10th of the season, giving him double-digit steals in two consecutive seasons. The 27-year-old utility player enters uncharted terriotory, as Duran established a new career high in plate appearances (455) this week.

Leiter (ankle) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out five over three-plus innings for Double-A Frisco on Thursday.

Leiter made his second rehab start for the RoughRiders and threw 59 pitches (38 strikes). The right-hander was sharp the first two innings before unraveling in the third. He walked the leadoff batter in the fourth before being removed. Leiter told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that there have been no discussions about continuing his assignment, but given his pitch count, another outing would not be surprising. The 26-year-old is rehabbing from June 23 arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body in his right ankle.

Adell (knee) entered Thursday's game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2 in a 5-2 win over San Francisco.

Adell, who was held out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive day, pinch hit for Travis Bazzana in the sixth inning and finished out the game as the designated hitter. His usage off the bench suggests Adell could rejoin the starting nine Friday, when the Guardians face the Rockies in Colorado.

Massey went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Athletics.

Massey logged a trio of hits, including an RBI double to the right-field wall in the fifth inning. The second baseman has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .357/.373/.589 with three homers, seven RBI and nine runs across 16 games in August. Overall, he's slashing .278/.311/.447 with 11 homers, 43 RBI, 45 runs and two stolen bases in 107 contests this season.

Burke (5-5) was charged with the loss and a blown save Thursday against St. Louis, allowing six unearned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one.

Reds manager Terry Francona eschewed using closer Emilio Pagan for a second straight day, instead bringing in Burke to close out a one-run lead to begin the top of the ninth inning. Burke was on the verge of getting the job done, but an error on a routine fly led to six unearned runs. Pagan had thrown 19 pitches Wednesday, and Francona may have considered the team's top closer unavailable, but his decision to turn to Burke may also have been matchup-based -- top right-handed setup man Pierce Johnson hasn't pitched since Monday but went completely unused in the contest.

Pagan was not used to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning of Thursday's 10-9 loss to the Cardinals.

Manager Terry Francona opted for southpaw Brock Burke instead of Pagan to close out the game, after the veteran righty had thrown 19 pitches the night before. The top of the ninth turned into a nightmare, as an error on a routine flyball, along with three walks and a HBP from Burke, lead to six unearned runs for the Cardinals. If Pagan is currently unable to pitch on back-to-back days, it could open up save opportunities for other Cincinnati relievers, but Burke's usage Thursday may also have simply been matchup-based -- top right-handed setup man Pierce Johnson, who hasn't pitched since Monday, went completely unused in the contest.