MLB Player News

Thornton recorded a save against the Reds on Saturday, retiring the only batter he faced on a groundout.

Ryan Rolison was handed the ball in the ninth inning with Chicago up 5-3, but he was lifted with two outs after putting runners on second and third base. Thornton was summoned to go head-to-head with Sal Stewart, and the game ended when Stewart grounded out to second. Thornton thus logged his third save of the season and notched his ninth scoreless appearance across his past 10 outings. Since Daniel Palencia (elbow) landed on the injured list June 16, four different Cubs relievers have notched a save, and three (including Thornton) have posted multiple saves. One of those three pitchers (Jordan Wicks) has since been sent down to the minors, so it appears Thornton and Jacob Webb are sharing closer duties for the time being.

Clase went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, two walks and a second run scored in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Padres.

Clase has two homers among his four hits over five games since joining the Blue Jays' big-league roster. He's added five RBI. Clase looks to be getting a chance at a starting role in left field -- he's started four straight games there, pushing Myles Straw into more of a reserve role. Clase is a switch hitter, so as long as his bat is hot, he should be able to avoid getting platooned, at least until Jesus Sanchez (ankle) is healthy again.

Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Padres.

Guerrero has now homered twice over his last three contests following a 17-game power drought. This was also his first multi-hit effort since June 26 versus the Rangers. The first baseman is enduring a down year batting .265 with a .709 OPS, six homers, 41 RBI, 51 runs scored and 14 doubles over 90 contests, though he's also at seven steals, one shy of matching his career high from 2022.

Yesavage allowed four runs on one hit and seven walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Saturday.

Yesavage threw just 20 of 59 pitches for strikes. While he did plenty of damage over the first two innings, the Blue Jays were able to initially keep pace with the Padres to spare the right-hander from taking a loss. Yesavage had allowed 19 runs (18 earned) over his previous six starts spanning 36.1 innings, but his 29:15 K:BB in that span shows some warning signs. The 22-year-old is at a 3.72 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 69:39 K:BB through 75 innings over 14 starts this season.

Assad completed five innings against Cincinnati in a no-decision Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out four batters.

It wasn't the most dominant of performances by Assad, as he served up two homers among seven total hits. However, both long balls were of the solo variety, and the the right-hander otherwise dodged damage in the scoring column -- in part due to throwing an efficient 54 of 82 pitches for strikes and issuing zero free passes. Since re-entering the rotation July 5, Assad has held his own, allowing two runs over 9.2 frames with a 6:2 K:BB. However, Jameson Taillon (hamstring) is slated to return shortly after the All-Star break, and Edward Cabrera (hamstring) may not be far behind, so it's up in the air whether Assad will remain in the rotation beyond late July.

Song went 1-for-3 with a walk, two RBI, one stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Blue Jays.

Song was in the lineup at third base for this contest while Manny Machado rested his legs as the designated hitter. Over nine games in July, Song has gone 6-for-27 (.222) with five steals and two extra-base hits. He's now batting .217 with a .605 OPS, one home run, 11 steals, 12 RBI and 13 runs scored across 95 plate appearances on the year. Song is likely to continue seeing a utility role in the infield.

Cronenworth went 2-for-4 with one RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Blue Jays.

Cronenworth has gone 12-for-42 (.286) over 13 games since he returned from a concussion. His pair of steals Saturday gave him three thefts on the year. The veteran infielder is batting .187 with a .553 OPS, three home runs, 11 RBI, 17 runs scored and three doubles over 45 contests. Cronenworth has seen steady time in the lineup between first base, second base and designated hitter since his return.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two walks, two total runs and two total RBI in Saturday's 9-3 win against Texas.

Alvarez reached base four times in the victory, and both of his hits went for extra bases. His biggest knock was a two-run homer to center field that opened the scoring in the first inning. Alvarez also went deep Friday, so he appears to be back on track following an uncharacteristic four-game stretch during which he went 1-for-18 at the plate. The slugger leads the American League and ranks second in baseball with 31 long balls this season, and he ranks first among qualified players with a 1.055 OPS though 95 contests.

France went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a second RBI and two total runs scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Blue Jays.

France hit a sacrifice fly during the first inning and added his solo shot to put the Padres ahead for good in the sixth. This was his sixth multi-hit effort over his last 13 games, a span in which he has gone 15-for-44 (.341) with six extra-base hits. For the season, the first baseman is batting .265 with an .811 OPS, 11 homers, 32 RBI, 23 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples and one stolen base over 69 games.

Wade went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 9-3 victory versus the Rangers on Saturday.

Wade struck out twice and was subbed out on defense in the seventh inning, but he made a big impact with one swing when he clubbed a grand slam to right field in the third inning. That was the veteran outfielder's second homer in nine games in the majors this season. Since returning from an IL stint caused by a hamstring injury July 4, Wade has started all five of Houston's games against a right-handed pitcher, so he appears to have a hold on a strong-side platoon role in left field.