MLB Player News
-
Steven Matz SP | TB
Red Sox's Steven Matz: Moving to Boston
The Red Sox acquired Matz from the Cardinals on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Blaze Jordan, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
After sending closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets earlier Wednesday, the Cardinals will continue unloading pieces from their bullpen by sending Matz to the Red Sox. Matz, 34, has been effective while making all but two of his 32 appearances in relief this season, logging a 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 55 innings. He's likely to work out of the bullpen for Boston initially, though the Red Sox could have him get gradually stretched back out for a starting role since injuries have tested the club's depth at the back end of the rotation.
-
Brian Van Belle RP | TB
Rays' Brian Van Belle: Traded to Rays
The Reds traded Van Belle to the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for Zack Littell, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The Reds acquired Van Belle in a trade with Boston in mid-June, but he'll now be rerouted to Tampa Bay without ever making an appearance for the big-league club. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 3.32 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 81.1 innings between the Red Sox's and Reds' Triple-A affiliates, and he'll likely head to Triple-A Durham now that he's with the Rays.
-
Tyler Owens RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Owens: Designated for assignment
The Tigers designated Owens (hip) for assignment Wednesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Owens has made three appearances for the Tigers this season, giving up one run over three innings while striking out a batter and walking three. He'll now be cast off the 40-man roster in order to free up a spot for Rafael Montero, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta on Wednesday. Owens carries a 5.40 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in Triple-A this season and is also working his way back from a right hip injury, which lowers his chances of being claimed off waivers.
-
Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: Takes fourth blown save vs. Yankees
Fairbanks was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss the Yankees, giving up one run on two hits and no walks in one inning. He struck out one.
Fairbanks blew his fourth save of the season and his second of the month of July. The hard-throwing right-hander has been Tampa Bay's go-to weapon for the ninth inning in 2025, although it's fair to wonder if his grip on the closer's role is slightly loosening due to a rough stretch on the mound since early June. Across his last 14.1 innings, Fairbanks has produced a 5.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB while converting six of nine save chances.
-
Devin Williams RP | NYM
Yankees' Devin Williams: Saddled with second blown save
Williams was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in one inning.
It was only the second blown save of the season by Williams, but it's certainly been a shaky month of July for him. Over his last 11 innings, the star right-hander has a 5.73 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB. Williams does have a strong 3.48 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings since the start of June, so he's likely to remain New York's top option at closer going forward.
-
Rafael Montero RP | NYY
Tigers' Rafael Montero: Shipped to Tigers
Detroit acquired Montero from Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Jim Jarvis.
Montero will join his third team of the season after logging a 5.40 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 38.1 innings between Atlanta and Houston. He'll likely fill a middle-relief role for Detroit.
-
Jackson Kowar RP | BAL
Mariners' Jackson Kowar: Sent back to Tacoma
The Mariners optioned Kowar to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.
The Mariners had to make room in their bullpen after acquiring Caleb Ferguson from Pittsburgh on Wednesday, and Kowar will officially end up as the roster casualty. The 28-year-old righty pitched three scoreless innings after being recalled from Triple-A on Thursday, lowering his big-league ERA to 1.54 through 11.2 frames this season.
-
Mike Vasil P | CHW
White Sox's Mike Vasil: Earns win in bulk role
Vasil (5-3) earned the win Wednesday over the Phillies, allowing three hits while striking out three over four scoreless innings.
Vasil worked as a bulk reliever and managed to keep a high-powered Phillies offense at bay before the White Sox rallied for seven runs in the seventh inning, en route to a 9-3 victory. The 25-year-old Vasil has been excellent of late, posting a 0.61 ERA over his last seven appearances (14.2 innings). Overall, his ERA sits at an impressive 2.35 with a 1.22 WHIP and 51:36 K:BB across 69 innings in his rookie campaign.
-
Kolby Allard SP | CLE
Guardians' Kolby Allard: Impressive in short outing
Allard didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rockies, allowing one hit and no walks in 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out five.
It was an impressive showing in limited action by Allard, who set a season-high in strikeouts Wednesday. The southpaw held the Rockies to a lone single, and he managed to register seven whiffs despite firing just 42 pitches. Through his first 44.2 innings, Allard has a 2.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB. If the Guardians need to throw another bullpen game, Allard's next turn in the rotation lines up for next week in Queens against the Mets.
-
Jacob Webb RP | CHC
Rangers' Jacob Webb: Lands on IL with back spasms
The Rangers placed Webb on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to back spasms.
Webb may have started feeling symptoms during his last outing Monday against the Angels, when he allowed one run on two hits while striking out four across 1.2 innings. He'll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury and an estimated schedule for a return, but his absence will require the Rangers to lean more on Cole Winn and Caleb Boushley for relief work. The Rangers recalled Luis Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.