MLB Player News

Snelling allowed four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings for Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday. He struck out eight.

The 21-year-old southpaw hasn't given up an earned run in 21 straight innings for the Jumbo Shrimp, and he's worked at least six innings in five straight starts, delivering a stunning 0.88 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 46:6 K:BB over 30.2 innings during that dominant stretch. Ryan Gusto is getting called up Friday to take the open spot in the Marlins' rotation created when Cal Quantrill was waived, but Snelling has done everything he can to demonstrate he's ready for a big-league audition over the final weeks of the season.

Alvarez will be Atlanta's starting third baseman for the rest of the season after Austin Riley (abdomen) underwent season-ending surgery, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While manager Brian Snitker suggested that in the long run Alvarez might be better suited to a utility role, the 22-year-old will get a chance to change that impression over the final month-plus of the season. Through 91 plate appearances in the majors this year, Alvarez is slashing .247/.330/.309 with zero homers or steals, but he did hit 10 home runs and steal 10 bags with an .861 OPS over 64 Triple-A contests in 2024.

Basallo and the Orioles are finalizing an eight-year, $67 million contract extension Friday, which includes a club option for 2034, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 21-year-old is one of the top prospects in baseball and was called up for his MLB debut last weekend, and the Orioles wasted little time locking him in long term. Basallo has gone 4-for-14 with a double and five RBI in his first four big-league games after posting a .966 OPS with 23 homers in 76 contests for Triple-A Norfolk this year. The extension maxes out at $88.5 million if the option is exercised and all the escalators are achieved. With Adley Rutschman (oblique) landing on the injured list Thursday, Basallo is poised to operate as Baltimore's No. 1 catcher for the immediate future, though the rookie is also likely to see a lot of time at designated hitter.

Wells (elbow) made his fourth rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk in 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

Wells threw 85 pitches in his fifth rehab outing overall, and he's expected to make one more appearance at Triple-A before returning to the Orioles. The right-hander is in the final stages of his recovery from UCL surgery, and he should be ready to make his season debut with Baltimore either as a starter or bulk reliever at some point in early September. The latter role is more likely with Kyle Bradish (elbow) also close to activation.

Sasaki (shoulder) threw 3.1 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters.

Sasaki struggled with his control Wednesday, throwing a modest 39 of his 60 pitches for strikes. However, he had better results than in his previous appearance with OKC, when he allowed three runs over two-plus frames. The rookie right-hander's fastball averaged 96 mph Wednesday after it sat in the 93-94 mph range in his first rehab start. Despite the step forward, it doesn't seem like Sasaki is ready to return to the big-league roster. The Dodgers' rotation has gotten mostly healthy since he's been shelved, and Emmet Sheehan has filled in capably as the sixth starter, so Sasaki doesn't have a clear role available once he's physically ready to return.

Kim (shoulder) went 2-for-3 with a run in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. He started in left field and played five innings, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Thursday marked Kim's first game action since July 28 as the rookie utility player progresses toward a return from left shoulder bursitis. Kim hadn't played left field prior to Thursday, but the Dodgers have gotten poor production from Michael Conforto (.618 OPS) as the primary option at the position. Los Angeles acquired Alex Call at the trade deadline and has been giving him some starts in left, but if Kim can handle the position defensively, he could get opportunities there after he's activated from the IL.

Edman (ankle) has been able to run straight ahead without pain, and manager Dave Roberts recently said the infielder/outfielder will next be "doing some curves," per MLB.com.

Edman appears to making progress in his recovery from a right ankle sprain, though the Dodgers intend to allow his ankle to fully heal before activating him off the IL. The expectation remains that Edman will remain sidelined until at least early September. A rehab stint will likely be in play before Edman returns to the big-league club, but for the time being, it's unclear when that will take place.

Cruz (oblique) is slated to make a four-out minor-league rehab appearance Friday, and if that goes well, he could be activated from the injured list as soon as Monday, per MLB.com.

Cruz landed on the injured list in late June due to a left oblique strain. The veteran reliever kicked off a minor-league rehab stint Aug. 14 and has appeared in three games so far (two with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and one with Double-A Somerset), allowing four runs on five hits with a 4:1 K:BB over 2.1 innings. Though those numbers are poor, Cruz's most recent outing was strong -- he struck out the side and gave up only one hit over one scoreless frame Tuesday. Once activated off the IL, Cruz should be a candidate for high-leverage work, though he may be eased back given his lengthy absence. He also may be lower on the depth chart than when he last pitched, as New York added David Bednar and Camilo Doval to the bullpen at the trade deadline.

King (knee) threw bullpen sessions Monday and Thursday, per MLB.com.

King landed on the IL due to left knee inflammation Aug. 14. However, the move was backdated to Aug. 11, so the righty hurler is eligible to be activated this coming Tuesday. The hope has been that King will be able to return to the roster after a minimum-length IL stay, and his ability to throw two bullpens this week suggests that such a scenario remains feasible, though the Padres may opt to give him a few more days to keep the team's other starters on their usual schedule. For the time being, JP Sears is in line to get at least one more start while King remains out of action.

Zerpa (5-1) earned the win in Thursday's 6-4 victory over the Rangers. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings.

The left-hander entered in relief of Michael Lorenzen with the bases loaded and one out in a tie game in the fifth inning Thursday and induced an inning-ending double play before tossing a perfect sixth frame. Zerpa has been on a roll, stringing together seven straight scoreless outings and posting a 2.43 ERA over 29.2 innings across his past 30 appearances.