MLB Player News

Foster's (elbow) returned to Chicago on Wednesday after his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte was paused due to a strained back, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Foster will be further examined in Chicago, but he doesn't appear to be dealing with a major setback, as the White Sox haven't ruled out sending him back out on his rehab assignment as soon as this weekend. The right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since September 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery but could be a factor in the White Sox's bullpen in the second half.

Barlow (3-3) allowed a walk in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the extra-inning win Tuesday over the Tigers.

Barlow was on the hook for the loss Monday, but he was better Tuesday as the Guardians evened the series at one game apiece. The right-hander's biggest problem this season has been with free passes -- he has a 5.3 BB/9 and a 1.35 WHIP. Barlow is still finding plenty of success with his slider and curveball, which collectively account for nearly 70 percent of his pitches. This is the second year in a row he's had significant struggles with his four-seam fastball, which opponents have batted .360 and slugged .520 against in 2024. With a 3.58 ERA and 17 holds, Barlow has yet to lose out on high-leverage looks, but all of Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and Cade Smith have produced better results while seeing similar usage, though Barlow's 12.7 K/9 is tops on the team.

The Royals recalled Pennington from Triple-A Omaha to serve as their 27th man for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Pennington will give the Royals a fresh arm out of the bullpen for the nightcap before he likely heads back to Omaha on Thursday. The 26-year-old lefty previously made his big-league debut last week in Colorado, retiring both of the batters he faced.

Howard is listed as the Guardians' scheduled starter for Thursday's game against the Tigers in Detroit.

For what will be his Guardians debut, Howard will step into the rotation spot vacated by Logan Allen, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. Prior to being acquired from the Giants last Friday, Howard had accrued a 5.63 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 24 innings in seven appearances (two starts) at the big-league level.

Clase got the save in Tuesday's 9-8 extra-inning win over the Tigers. He pitched one inning and allowed one unearned run on two hits.

Clase allowed the phantom runner to score in the bottom of the 10th but worked around trouble to get his 28th save. The 26-year-old was named an All-Star for the third straight season thanks to his minuscule 0.83 ERA through 44 appearances. Clase is as consistent as they come in a position that can have volatility -- he's led MLB in saves each of the last two seasons and trails only Ryan Helsley in 2024.

Contreras allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one over two innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Tuesday.

Contreras continues to function more as an opener than a true starter -- he threw just 37 pitches (26 strikes) in this short outing. He's given up six runs (five earned) over 7.2 innings across his last three appearances. For the season, he has a 4.78 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB over 37.2 innings between the Angels and the Pirates. If he stays on turn, he would likely pitch versus the Mariners this weekend, though at this point, he should not be expected to exceed three innings against any opponent.

Yates allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Angels.

Yates extended his scoreless streak to seven innings, and this was the fifth time in those seven appearances where he's struck out multiple batters. He's earned a save in three straight outings after a two-week gap between saves, and he's up to 14 on the year. Yates has maintained a 0.84 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 45:14 K:BB through 32.1 innings this season.

Trivino (elbow) has been throwing, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the reliever's rehab has been "a little bit slow," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Trivino is attempting to return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent on his right elbow last May. The right-hander appeared close to facing hitters in late April but was shut down less than a month later after experiencing inflammation in the surgically repaired elbow. Though he's since resumed throwing, it appears Trivino is still multiple weeks away from a potential return.

Garcia (elbow) didn't pitch in a rehab game at Triple-A Buffalo as scheduled Tuesday due to neck stiffness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia's injury isn't considered to be serious, but the Bisons opted to hold him out of the game as a precaution. The 33-year-old reliever is now slated to appear in Wednesday's game, assuming he feels better by then. It's unclear how many additional rehab appearances he will need to make past Wednesday, though a return to Toronto before the All-Star break has not yet been ruled out.

Hader walked one and struck out two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Marlins.

Entering Tuesday, Hader had yielded a run in four of his last six appearances. He was able to avoid that fate in this contest, earning his 16th save of the year, nine of which he's collected since the start of June. His recent inconsistency has pushed his ERA up to 4.05 with a 1.05 WHIP and 63:12 K:BB through 40 innings, but he's still taken just one blown save this year.