MLB Player News

The Astros will activate Blanco (elbow) from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's series opener against the Marlins in Houston, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco will be making his 2026 debut for the Astros after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. The 32-year-old began a rehab assignment in mid-June and was able to build up to 4.1 innings and 68 pitches in his final outing at Triple-A Sugar Land last weekend. Overall, Blanco turned in a 1.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB in 17 innings over five starts with three different affiliates.

The Cardinals do not expect Romero (appendicitis) to be ready for activation from the 15-day injured list when first eligible, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Romero is doing well after being treated for appendicitis last week, but a return before the end of July appears unlikely. The injury complicates Romero's appeal to contenders ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, though injured players can be dealt. Romero holds a 3.35 ERA and 43:16 K:BB over 43 innings this season and is slated to reach free agency this winter.

Atlanta selected Hernandez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The right-hander joined Atlanta on a minor-league contract in November and is now getting his first opportunity in the big leagues since 2024. Hernandez finished that season playing in the Korea Baseball Organization and also spent time overseas in 2025. Thus far in the 2026 season, the 31-year-old posted a 4.83 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 72:27 K:BB across 76.1 innings for Gwinnett. He made 11 starts at Triple-A but will work out of the bullpen for Atlanta.

Atlanta optioned Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The right-hander made his first big-league start Saturday versus Texas and will head back to Triple-A after giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 2.2 innings. Murphy has now covered 6.2 frames across three MLB appearances and has allowed three earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB. The 23-year-old could get another look in the majors later this summer, but for now he should step back into the rotation at Gwinnett.

Bradford (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out four over two scoreless innings for Double-A Frisco on Saturday.

Bradford was sharper in his second rehab start for the RoughRiders, upping his pitch count to 37 (27 strikes). The left-hander still has time left on his 30-day rehab assignment to make at least three more starts and build up to five or six innings.

Herrin (elbow) struck out three batters in a scoreless inning for Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Herrin, who began a rehab assignment with the Clippers, started the second game of a doubleheader and fanned all three batters faced. Relievers typically don't require a long assignment, so Herrin could be back in Cleveland at some point this week.

The Brewers reinstated Rodriguez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list July 12 and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville.

Rodriguez made one rehab appearance apiece in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and with Nashville before being assigned to the Triple-A affiliate when he was activated shortly before the All-Star break. After making a 2.2-inning start with Nashville immediately following his return from the IL on July 12, Rodriguez worked in relief during his first appearance of the second half Saturday, yielding four earned runs on two hits and three walks over one inning.

Allen didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Called up as the 27th man to get the start in the nightcap of the twin bill, Allen needed 81 pitches (51 strikes) to record just 10 outs before getting the hook in line for the loss. Cleveland's offense was able to bail him out late, however. The southpaw is likely to return to Triple-A Columbus, but through two big-league appearances (one start) this season, he's posted a 2.45 ERA, 2.05 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 7.1 innings.

Soto blew his fifth save of the season in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing a hit and a walk in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

With the Pirates trying to protect a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning, Soto was brought in to replace Brandon Eisert with one out and two men on. Instead of getting the job done, Soto let both inherited runners score on a wild pitch and a single. It's his third blown save since the beginning of June against five successful conversions, a stretch in which he's coughed up an 8.31 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 13 innings and put his spot as Pittsburgh's closer in significant jeopardy.

Megill secured the save Saturday against Miami, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.

Craig Yoho opened the ninth inning but served up a three-run home run, creating a save situation and forcing Milwaukee to turn to its closer. Megill quickly extinguished the fire, extending his scoreless streak to 15 innings and successfully converting his seventh straight save opportunity. The hard-throwing right-hander has a 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 48:10 K:BB over 38 innings with 15 saves in 17 chances.