MLB Player News

Hodge (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits across 1.2 innings of relief to take the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He walked one and struck out two.

Hodge allowed his first runs since June 6, a streak of seven appearances and 10 innings. The righty has been scored upon only twice this year in 14 appearances overall, and he has a solid 2.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 16.2 innings. Veteran Hector Neris is first in line for saves at the moment, but Hodge may be next up if Neris struggles or gets hurt.

Yates walked one and struck out one in a scoreless 10th inning Saturday to record his 15th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Astros.

The 37-year-old right-hander continued his resurgent campaign. Yates has yet to blow a save this season, and he hasn't been tagged for an earned run in 10 straight appearances, posting a 0.80 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB across 10 innings over that stretch. His first-half performance has earned Yates his second career All-Star Game berth -- the other came back in 2019 with the Padres, when he led the majors with 41 saves.

Shuster is listed as the White Sox's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

According to James Fegan of SoxMachine.com, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol had previously said Saturday that Chad Kuhl was likely to start Sunday's series finale, but Shuster will instead get the ball for Chicago in its final game before the All-Star break. Shuster has prior starting experience, but he's mostly worked out of the bullpen since being called up from Triple-A Charlotte on May 1, covering no more than 3.1 innings in any of his subsequent 18 appearances. He'll be taking the hill on one day rest Sunday, so Shuster is unlikely to work more than once through the batting order before turning the game over to Kuhl and the rest of the White Sox bullpen.

The Angels announced Saturday that Wantz underwent season-ending surgery on his right elbow, MLB.com reports.

The club didn't provide many details on Wantz's procedure, but the prevailing assumption is that he underwent Tommy John surgery. Assuming that's the case, Wantz likely won't be ready to pitch again until late in the 2025 season, if not the start of the 2026 season. He appeared in just one game out of the big-league bullpen this season and made seven appearances (six starts) at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he turned in a 6.17 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 23.1 innings. Set to turn 29 years old in October and likely at risk of missing the entire 2025 season, Wantz will likely be a non-tender candidate this offseason.

Contreras is expected to be the Angels' primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind starter Carson Fulmer in Sunday's game against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels are planning to treat their final game before the All-Star break as a bullpen day, with Fulmer and Contreras likely on track to cover the bulk of the innings. Fulmer tossed three innings in relief in his last outing Monday and has covered as many as four innings in an appearance this season, so he should be able to give the Angels a decent amount of length as an opener before Contreras is likely summoned from the bullpen. Contreras had started in each of his last three appearances, tossing between two and three innings on each occasion while turning in an 8.22 ERA and 2.35 WHIP.

Helsley recorded his 32nd save of the season Saturday, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning during the second game of a doubleheader sweep of the Cubs.

After blowing a save July 5, Helsley got an extended rest and bounced back with a strong performance. The right-hander has hardly been struggling lately though -- he's allowed earned runs in only one of his last 12 appearances, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB over 13 innings during that stretch. Helsley's 32 saves leads the majors, three clear of the Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, and that impressive first half has earned him his second career All-Star Game berth.

Castro allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 12-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Castro made his first appearance since being activated off the injured list Thursday. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning with the Diamondbacks ahead 8-1. Castro had missed nearly three months with shoulder inflammation.

Sandlin (6-0) allowed a hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Rays.

Sandlin's been a little shaky since returning from a minimum stay on the injured list due to a back injury. This was just his third scoreless appearance in six outings since he was activated. The right-hander is now at a 3.74 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 37:15 K:BB with a save, four holds and two blown saves over 33.2 innings this season. Sandlin will likely remain in a middle-relief role until he can steady his performance.

Clase earned a save against the Rays on Saturday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Clase entered in the ninth frame and gave up a one-out single but was able to protect Cleveland's two-run lead. The right-handed closer once again didn't notch a strikeout -- he hasn't punched out a batter in any of his past six appearances -- but that hasn't prevented him from being effective, as he's gone 4-for-4 in save chances during that span. Clase's belied the typical closer profile with a modest 7.9 K/9 on the campaign, but he's been almost untouchable with 29 saves (second most in the majors) in 32 opportunities, a 0.81 ERA and 0.68 WHIP over 44.1 innings.

Fulmer will start Sunday against the Mariners in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Angels, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Fulmer hasn't pitched since Monday -- when he tossed three innings against the Rangers -- and he's covered as many as four innings in an appearance this season. It's unclear exactly how long the Angels plan to keep the 30-year-old on the mound, but Roansy Contreras is the primary candidate to follow Fulmer once he exits the contest.