MLB Player News

Leasure (forearm) has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Leasure has been sidelined since late May with a right flexor strain. He was able to resume bullpen sessions in late July, and he is expected to return at some point in August. However, he will almost certainly need a rehab assignment, so he may not be activated until late in the month.

Gomez allowed two walks and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Mariners.

Gomez has collected four saves and two wins over his last eight outings, though he's posted an 8:7 K:BB across eight innings in that span. Despite the slight drama, he was able to slam the door without allowing a run, picking up his 14th save of the season in the process. Gomez has maintained a 3.26 ERA on the year despite a 1.29 WHIP and 45:25 K:BB through 49.2 innings between the Twins and the Rays, and he's yet to blow a save chance while adding six holds. His 1.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 32.1 innings with Minnesota paint a more encouraging picture of his performance, giving him decent stability in the closer role depending on how much the Twins reshape their bullpen before the trade deadline.

Hicks will serve as the opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Rays, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Hicks will draw his first opening assignment of the season after pitching 13.1 consecutive scoreless innings while posting a 21:5 K:BB since June 21. He'll likely exit the game after the first inning, at which point Noah Schultz will take over as the bulk reliever.

Varland earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Varland was brought in for the save opportunity after the Blue Jays took a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning. He allowed a single to Masyn Winn but secured the save by getting both of the next two Cardinals batters out. He's converted all 24 of his save chances this season and has a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53:14 K:BB across 47 innings.

Bednar gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Cubs. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The veteran closer hadn't pitched since Tuesday after working four games in five days, and the breather seemed to do Bednar some good. Despite his recent heavy workload he hasn't blown a save since May 17, converting 13 straight chances while posting a 1.00 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB in 27 innings during that stretch. The Yankees are likely to add bullpen reinforcements at the trade deadline, but Bednar's job seems very secure.

Vest underwent elbow surgery Wednesday and will also undergo hip surgery, which will result in the 31-year-old reliever missing the rest of the 2026 season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vest was placed on the 15-day injured list July 1 with what was initially diagnosed as right elbow inflammation. However, further tests revealed a stress fracture in the right elbow that required surgery, and with a hip procedure on tap, the veteran reliever will be sidelined for the rest of the 2026 campaign. Vest will end his season with a 6.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, seven holds, two saves (in seven chances) and a 27:10 K:BB across 26.2 innings.

Vargas (lat) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday and is nearing a rehab assignment, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Vargas opened the season on the injured list due to a right lat strain, an injury severe enough for him to transfer to the 60-day IL in early April. However, it looks like he's close to making his 2026 major-league debut. If all goes well with his bullpen session and upcoming rehab assignment, Vargas could rejoin the Mariners in mid-August.

The Tigers designated Granillo for assignment Friday.

By designating Granillo for assignment and placing Matt Vierling (groin) on the 10-day injured list, the Tigers opened up the necessary spots on the 26- and 40-man rosters for 21-year-old outfielder Max Clark, who will make his major-league debut Friday against the Athletics. Granillo was claimed off waivers by the Tigers on July 11 and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two across 3.2 innings with Toledo.

The Tigers optioned Hanifee to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

The move corresponds with the Tigers recalling southpaw Enmanuel De Jesus from Toledo. Hanifee appeared in seven games out of the Tigers' bullpen after being recalled by the team following the All-Star break. In that seven-game span, he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 6.2 innings.

The Tigers recalled De Jesus from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

De Jesus has spent the last month in Triple-A, but he'll return to the majors in a move that corresponds with Brenan Hanifee being optioned to Toledo. De Jesus has appeared in 22 major-league games this season and has a 3.98 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 31.2 innings.