MLB Player News

Wesneski (elbow) struck out seven and allowed one unearned run on two hits and two walks across 4.1 innings in a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Wesneski has been on the shelf all season while completing his recovery from May 2025 Tommy John surgery, but he's closing in on his 2026 big-league debut. He's made five starts during his rehab assignment, with the right-hander having compiled a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 20 innings across stops with Sugar Land, Double-A Corpus Christi and the rookie-level Florida Complex League. After building up to 80 pitches and generating 12 whiffs in Friday's outing, Wesneski should be fully stretched out for a starting role and could be a candidate to move into the big-league rotation, which has an opening after Spencer Arrighetti (foot) was moved to the injured list Saturday. The Astros will need to add a new starter to the mix Wednesday in Anaheim, though it's unclear if Wesneski would be activated from the 60-day injured list to pitch on four days' rest, after he received at least five days of rest between each of his rehab appearances.

Barnett (1-1) took the loss against Minnesota on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.

Initial reports suggested Barnett would start Saturday's contest, but that role ultimately went to Brady Basso, who covered the first two frames. Barnett still ended up logging the longest outing among A's pitchers, tossing 54 pitches (35 strikes) across his 3.1 innings. The right-hander got through his first three frames unscathed, but he surrendered two runs in the sixth, which accounted for all of the scoring in the game. It remains to be seen how Barnett will be deployed moving forward, but he could be needed to make a few starts (or bulk-relief appearances) with J.T. Ginn (finger blister) currently on the 15-day IL.

Gomez earned a save against the Athletics on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Four Minnesota pitchers combined to hold the A's scoreless over eight frames, and Gomez was given the ball to begin the ninth. The right-hander didn't take long to close things out and needed just eight pitches (six strikes) to retire the side in order. Gomez entered the campaign with just one career regular-season save on his ledger, but he's emerged as the Twins' primary closer this season. He's a perfect 13-for-13 on save opportunities, and since recording his first save April 18, Gomez has posted a standout 2.04 ERA along with a 34:16 K:BB over 35.1 innings spanning 37 appearances.

Rojas pitched four scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out five batters.

Rojas made his fourth start of the season as an emergency replacement for Mike Paredes, who was a late scratch due to an oblique injury. Though there was no expectation that Rojas would go very deep after having thrown fewer than 50 pitches in each of his three outings since being recalled from Triple-A on July 9, the left-hander ended up hurling 56 pitches Saturday and lasted four frames, tying his longest big-league start of the campaign. Rojas didn't go long enough to qualify for the victory, but he certainly played a big part in Minnesota's win, limiting the A's to just two baserunners (on a single and a walk) and zero runs. Rojas has plenty of experience as a starter in the minors, and he's a candidate to move into the rotation if Paredes and/or Joe Ryan (arm) needs to miss time.

Hader earned a save against the White Sox on Saturday by striking out both batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Houston entered the bottom of the ninth with a 4-0 lead and Bennett Sousa on the mound. However, Sousa gave up a run on a pair of one-out singles and an error, at which point Hader was summoned from the bullpen. The veteran closer made sure that Chicago didn't come any closer by striking out both batters he faced on a combined 10 pitches. Hader continues to roll as one of the league's top closers -- after missing the first two months of the season due to a bicep injury, he's 12-for-12 in save chances while posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 20 innings spanning 22 appearances.

Bednar secured the save Saturday against Philadelphia, throwing a clean ninth inning.

Bednar pushed his scoreless streak up to 23.2 innings Saturday. The 31-year-old right-hander last blew a save during his May 17 outing against the Mets, successfully converting each of his last 10 save opportunities. Through 44.2 innings on the year, Bednar sports a 2.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 49:14 K:BB with 20 saves in 22 attempts.

Baker secured the save Saturday against Cleveland, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning.

Baker extended his scoreless streak to eight innings Saturday. Additionally, the right-hander last failed to convert a save chance during his May 13 outing in Toronto, which is a stretch of 22 outings without a blown save. Through 39.1 innings in 2026, Baker boasts a 1.60 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB with 27 saves in 30 opportunities.

Lange gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Tigers.

The 30-year-old right-hander has had a rough July, getting tagged for eight earned runs in 5.2 innings across six appearances to leave him with a bloated 6.00 ERA on the season. However, Lange continues to hold down the fort as the Royals' closer. Carlos Estevez (shoulder) remains without a clear timeline for his return, but with Kansas City likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, the biggest threat to Lange's save total might be the chance he gets dealt to a contender and lands in a lower-leverage role.

Minnesota reinstated Raya (shoulder) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A St. Paul, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.

After missing a little over two weeks with a right shoulder impingement, Raya is healthy again and will make his way to the Triple-A squad. Raya made just three appearances with the big-league club before being sidelined. With St. Paul, the 23-year-old has posted a 6.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 44:16 K:BB in 41.2 innings.

Basso is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher against the Twins on Saturday.

Per Jason Burke of Roundtable.io, Mason Barnett was originally scheduled to start for the Athletics on Saturday. Instead, the club will turn to an opener in the form of Basso, who has started in two games for Triple-A Las Vegas this season. He has a 6.48 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 8.1 innings in the majors this season.