MLB Player News

Lange earned the save Thursday against the Twins, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Kansas City recently shifting toward a matchup-based approach in the ninth inning, Lange was called upon again to protect a two-run lead. The right-hander worked around a hit and a walk, allowing the potential winning run to come to the plate before inducing a game-ending groundout from Brooks Lee to secure his second save of the season and his second in as many days. Lange has been effective lately, holding opponents scoreless in 10 of his last 11 appearances, and he could continue to see additional save opportunities if the Royals stick with their current committee approach. He owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 28:15 K:BB across 28 innings.

Rogers (1-3) took the loss Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning

Rogers entered with two outs in the eighth inning of a tie game and retired Vinnie Pasquantino to help end the frame. However, things unraveled when he returned for the ninth. The veteran left-hander allowed back-to-back singles to open the inning before a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, prompting his removal. Justin Lawrence was unable to bail him out, allowing both inherited runners to score and saddling Rogers with the loss. After posting nine consecutive scoreless appearances, Rogers has now allowed runs in two of his last three outings and owns a 4.63 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 23.1 innings this year, adding two saves and six holds.

Lugo did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Twins, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings.

Lugo got off to a rough start when Byron Buxton led off the game with a home run, and the veteran right-hander never fully settled in. He allowed a run in each of his five innings of work, including three total home runs. The outing snapped what had been a strong stretch for Lugo, who entered Thursday having allowed just six runs combined across his previous three starts. He now owns a 3.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 64:24 K:BB across 76 innings this season. Lugo is scheduled to face Texas at home in his next start.

Dubon went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Dubon provided one of Atlanta's few offensive highlights as he accounted for half his team's hits on the night, launching a solo homer in the eighth inning to cut Toronto's lead to 3-2. The long ball was his fifth of the season and his second in as many games. Unfortunately for Atlanta, the momentum was short-lived as the Blue Jays answered with four runs in the following frame. Dubon entered Thursday deep into a slump, batting just .129 over his previous nine games, making the multi-hit effort an encouraging sign. The utility man is slashing .255/.312/.398 with 12 doubles, two triples, 33 RBI and 24 runs scored across 234 plate appearances.

Varland earned the save Thursday against Atlanta, striking out one and allowing no hits or walks over 1.1 scoreless innings.

He was called upon with two outs in the eighth inning and a one-run lead after Braydon Fisher allowed a run earlier in the frame. Varland the retired Ozzie Albies to escape the inning before Toronto's offense erupted for four runs in the ninth, giving him some breathing room. Varland then worked a clean 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure his ninth save in as many opportunities this season. The right-hander has been nearly untouchable in 2026, holding opponents without an earned run in 28 of his 29 appearances, with him currently carrying a 16-game streak. He now owns a microscopic 0.28 ERA alongside a 0.99 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB across 32.1 innings.

Jones (1-0) earned the win over Houston on Thursday, allowing four hits and issuing two walks while striking out four batters over five shutout innings.

Jones was roughed up a bit in his season debut May 29, allowing five runs over 4.1 innings against Minnesota. The right-hander fared much better Thursday, limiting the Astros to four hits (two doubles and two singles) while going just deep enough to qualify for the victory. Jones threw 74 pitches after tossing 77 in his previous outing, so he seems to be having his workload managed carefully as he eases back into action following an extended absence due to the UCL surgery he underwent in May of 2025. Jones will look to build upon this performance moving forward, though he's lined up for a tough matchup at home against the Dodgers his next time out.

Sale (8-4) took the loss Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings.

Sale had to work around traffic all afternoon, allowing nine baserunners through the first three innings alone. The 10 hits surrendered were a season high, but the veteran left-hander did an admirable job limiting the damage and held Toronto to just three runs. After recording quality starts in nine of his previous 11 outings this season, Sale was one out away from another before being lifted in the sixth inning. The 37-year-old continues to turn in ace-level results, sporting a 2.23 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 86:19 K:BB across 72.2 innings. He is scheduled to face the White Sox in his next start.

Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three total RBI in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Langeliers socked a solo home run in the fourth inning before tallying an inside-the-park homer two innings later on a misplay in center field. It was still officially the third multi-homer game of the campaign for Langeliers, who leads MLB backstops with 16 long balls and ranks fifth with 33 RBI. Langeliers had batted just .145 with no multi-hit performance over his previous 16 games coming into Thursday, though five of his nine hits during that span had gone for extra bases. Despite that recent downturn, Langeliers seems to have a strong chance of earning his first All-Star bid, as he's posting a .915 OPS through 56 contests.

Dallas (1-0) earned the win Thursday against Atlanta, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings of relief.

Making his MLB debut, the right-hander threw 38 of his 68 pitches for strikes in a bulk-relief role and generated a strong 26.9 percent whiff rate. Dallas entered after Mason Fluharty opened the game with 1.1 scoreless innings and inherited a runner on third base, but he escaped the jam unscathed. An inning later, Dallas allowed two more baserunners before settling in and retiring the final seven batters he faced. After missing the entire 2025 season, the 25-year-old battled back from Tommy John surgery and posted a 4.50 ERA with a 38:13 K:BB across 36 innings at Triple-A Buffalo this season prior to his promotion.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Vargas is day-to-day with a bruised left thigh and rib cage after colliding with Max Muncy in Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

While Vargas is considered day-to-day, Lovullo said Vargas is unlikely to play Friday against the Nationals. It's still good news after he and Muncy were involved in a big collision at first base in the fifth inning Thursday. Pavin Smith came on to replace Vargas at first base following his injury.