MLB Player News

Cox will open Saturday's game against the Reds after Spencer Strider was scratched due to a weather delay, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Strider had already completed most or all of his warmup before the delay -- which lasted well over an hour -- was announced, so Atlanta decided not to put the star hurler on the mound. Cox will instead open what's slated to be a bullpen game. The lefty hasn't tossed more than two innings in any big-league appearance this season, though he did go 3.2 frames and throw 60 pitches in a start with Triple-A Gwinnett the last time he was on the mound (July 24). Therefore, he's well-rested and stretched out enough to handle a few frames if Atlanta opts for that approach.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy clarified after Saturday's 6-4 win over the Mariners in 11 innings that Garcia exited the contest due to a mid-back spasm, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

After Garcia was pulled in the 10th inning in the middle of a Eugenio Suarez at-bat, the initial word was that he was dealing with a left scapula spasm. However, further assessment determined that Garcia is instead managing a spasm in his mid-back. Bochy said that he expects Garcia to be fine, but the Rangers' closer may be due for a day off or two after pitching three times in the past four days.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said after Saturday's defeat to the Mets that Teng is expected to get another start, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports. Teng (0-1) struggled in Saturday's start, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings to take the loss.

Teng's first MLB start -- and 2025 big-league debut -- didn't go well, as the right-hander was tagged for five runs. However, three of those runs came in the first inning, and Teng managed to somewhat settle down thereafter -- the other two runs on his ledger crossed the plate after his departure in the fourth. Teng also managed nine whiffs among his 67 pitches and struck out four batters, and the Giants appear content enough with the right-hander's performance to give him another look as a starter. However, Landen Roupp (elbow) could be activated off the IL soon after Teng's next turn in the rotation, at which point the latter could head back to the minors.

Halvorsen suffered a right elbow injury in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Pirates, and Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said after the contest that the closer's injury "don't look good," Christian Saez of TheDNVR.com reports.

Halvorsen threw only five pitches before he was removed in the top of the ninth inning in the middle of Spencer Horwitz's at-bat. Given Schaeffer's comments, Halvorsen may be dealing with a serious injury, though the team will presumably await test results before determining next steps. Victor Vodnik could be next in line for save chances if Halvorsen does indeed need to miss time.

Perkins is moving into the Athletics rotation and will start Sunday versus Arizona, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

When Mason Miller was traded to San Diego on Thursday, Perkins looked to be next in line to move into the closer role. Instead, the rookie right-hander will get a look in the rotation, and his start Sunday doesn't appear to be a one-off arrangement. Perkins has pitched well for the Athletics, posting a 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB over 19.2 innings spanning eight appearances, but he hasn't gone more than 3.1 innings or 54 pitches in any outing. That said, he had handled a full-time starting role for Triple-A Las Vegas prior to being promoted June 22, logging a 2.86 ERA while striking out 68 over 44 innings. Perkins will likely be on some sort of a pitch count Sunday, though he may need only two or three outings to get stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload.

Hoffman struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 26th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Royals.

The right-hander has put his May struggles behind him. Over 21 innings since the beginning of June, Hoffman has converted 13 of 14 save chances while posting a 3.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB, and the Blue Jays' bullpen additions at the trade deadline may allow them to ease the workload on their first-year closer over the final two months of the regular season.

Gaddis allowed a hit and struck out three in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Twins.

Cade Smith had a 23-pitch outing Friday, so Gaddis got the save opportunity in this contest. He did well, throwing 10 of 15 pitches for strikes to convert his first save of 2025. Primarily a setup man in the first half, Gaddis now has a chance to be part of a closing committee after Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB's sports betting investigation. Gaddis has taken a step back this season, posting a 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB with 22 holds and three blown saves over 46.1 innings, but he's still been good enough to maintain high-leverage usage throughout 2025.

Garcia was pulled from Saturday's contest against Seattle due to left scapula spasms, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Garcia entered in the 10th inning with a chance for a save, as Texas led 4-2. He quickly blew the opportunity, serving up a two-run homer to Randy Arozarena on his third pitch. Garcia then retired the next two batters before allowing a Josh Naylor single. He began the next at-bat with two straight balls to Eugenio Suarez and was subsequently visited by a trainer, which led to Garcia's exit from the game after 17 total pitches (only eight of which were strikes). Garcia's initial diagnosis doesn't sound grave, but it wouldn't be surprising if he were to be held out of action for at least a short period, especially since he was pitching Saturday for the third time in four days. Should Garcia need to sit out, Shawn Armstrong or the just-acquired Phil Maton could be the lead candidates for save chances.

Halvorsen was removed from Saturday's game against Pittsburgh due to an apparent injury, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Halvorsen entered in a non-save situation, taking over in the ninth inning with Colorado up 8-4. He tossed only five pitches, working the count on Spencer Horwitz to 3-2, before being pulled. It's not clear what caused Halvorsen's exit, though the Rockies may have an update after the game. The 25-year-old had settled in as the team's closer, tallying five saves in five chances in July. Rookie Dugan Darnell took over for Halvorsen on Saturday, but if the latter needs to miss time, Victor Vodnik -- who has 11 saves over the past two campaigns, including two this year -- could be the lead candidate for ninth-inning duties.

Akin walked two and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Cubs.

With Felix Bautista (shoulder) on the IL and the O's having shipped out their other established high-leverage arms at the trade deadline, the closer job is wide open. Corbin Martin got the save Tuesday but worked the sixth inning Saturday with Baltimore in a 3-0 hole, while Yennier Cano handled the eighth and Akin got the ninth with lefties Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker due up for the Cubs. Interim manager Tony Mansolino may elect to play matchups and go with a closer committee unless someone emerges from the pack, but Akin's fantasy appeal will grow even if he gets only a share of the save chances.