MLB Player News

Springer went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI during the Blue Jays' 12-4 loss to the White Sox on Friday.

Springer got the Blue Jays on the board in the third inning on a fielder's choice before taking Trevor Richards deep to left field in the fifth. It was the 10th home run of the season for Springer, who played defense for the first time this season with a start in left field. That could open more opportunities at DH for catchers Alejandro Kirk and Brandon Valenzuela, or even rookie Sean Keys, as Toronto searches for a spark on offense.

Refsnyder (knee) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, Tim Booth of The Seattle Times reports.

Refsnyder landed on the 10-day IL in late June due to right knee inflammation. The veteran outfielder has progressed enough in his recovery to go on a rehab assignment, which could have him back in the majors by late July or early August. Refsnyder has struggled at the plate this season, posting a .422 OPS with three home runs and nine RBI across 119 plate appearances.

The Cardinals designated Pozo for assignment Friday.

The Cardinals selected Scott Blewett from Triple-A Memphis on Friday to fill a bullpen spot while JoJo Romero (appendicitis) is on the IL, leaving Pozo as the odd man out. The 29-year-old backstop has gone 8-for-33 in the big leagues this season and owns a .642 OPS through 86 plate appearances in the minors.

Ohtani (knee) is expected to make his first start of the second half Wednesday against the Phillies, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Knee irritation kept Ohtani from making his final start on the mound before the All-Star break. He addressed the issue by receiving an injection of lubricant during the break, rather than having his knee drained, and he now seems to be back on track toward resuming his duties as a pitcher. He will continue to serve as the Dodgers' regular designated hitter in the meantime and make his eighth consecutive start at DH against the Yankees on Friday.

Yoshida went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in a 10-0 win over Tampa Bay in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

Yoshida jumped on the first pitch he saw in the fourth inning -- a sinker that didn't sink -- and curled it inside the foul pole down the right-field line. It was his fourth homer of the season and third in the last nine contests. Yoshida has hit safely in his last seven starts, going 13-for-29 (.448) with four doubles, three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored during that stretch. He's not an everyday starter but is finding regular work at designated hitter against right-handers.

The Athletics transferred Rooker (knee) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Rooker has already been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season, and he recently underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage. He's expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February. When healthy this season, Rooker slashed a disappointing .200/.281/.389 with 10 homers, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 19:65 BB:K across 203 trips to the plate.

Ohtani (knee) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus the Yankees.

Ohtani has dealt with left knee irritation in recent weeks and was expected to have his knee drained Sunday following the Dodgers' last game of the first half. The issue prevented Ohtani from making his final start on the mound before the break, but it has not kept him from hitting, as he will make an eighth straight start at DH in Friday's series opener in the Bronx.

Ohtani (knee) is not listed among the Dodgers' scheduled starting pitchers for this weekend's series against the Yankees, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani has not started a game on the mound in two weeks as he deals with a nagging left knee issue. He had the knee drained Sunday and was expected to receive an injection in the knee over the All-Star break, as well. The Dodgers haven't revealed when Ohtani's first start of the second half as a pitcher will be, but Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register speculates it could be next Wednesday in Philadelphia. Ohtani will be available to serve as a designated hitter this weekend versus the Yankees.

The Athletics optioned Meneses to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Meneses went 1-for-6 in two games after being recalled from Triple-A on Friday, and he'll now lose his place on the active roster to make room for Donovan Walton, who was claimed off waivers from the Angels over the weekend. Meneses boasts a .347/.398/.546 slash line through 71 games in the minors, though he isn't likely to serve as more than bench depth if he makes it back to the big leagues this year.

The Red Sox acquired Jones from the Tigers on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old was designated for assignment by Detroit last week and will now make his way to Boston. Jones has excelled against lefties throughout his big-league career but has yet to get on track in 2026. Jones has a .440 OPS in 105 overall plate appearances and has a .154/.250/.256 slash line in 88 plate appearances versus southpaws. A short-side platoon role is a best-case scenario for the veteran outfielder.