MLB Player News

The Cubs acquired Kittredge from the Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Wilfri De La Cruz, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

After bringing in right-hander Michael Soroka from Washington earlier Wednesday, Chicago will continue to bolster its pitching staff by acquiring Kittredge. The 35-year-old reliever posted a 3.56 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 30.1 innings with the Orioles and will likely operate in middle relief or as a setup man for the Cubs.

The Red Sox acquired Matz from the Cardinals on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Blaze Jordan, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After sending closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets earlier Wednesday, the Cardinals will continue unloading pieces from their bullpen by sending Matz to the Red Sox. Matz, 34, has been effective while making all but two of his 32 appearances in relief this season, logging a 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 55 innings. He's likely to work out of the bullpen for Boston initially, though the Red Sox could have him get gradually stretched back out for a starting role since injuries have tested the club's depth at the back end of the rotation.

The Reds traded Van Belle to the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for Zack Littell, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds acquired Van Belle in a trade with Boston in mid-June, but he'll now be rerouted to Tampa Bay without ever making an appearance for the big-league club. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 3.32 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 81.1 innings between the Red Sox's and Reds' Triple-A affiliates, and he'll likely head to Triple-A Durham now that he's with the Rays.

The Tigers designated Owens (hip) for assignment Wednesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Owens has made three appearances for the Tigers this season, giving up one run over three innings while striking out a batter and walking three. He'll now be cast off the 40-man roster in order to free up a spot for Rafael Montero, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta on Wednesday. Owens carries a 5.40 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in Triple-A this season and is also working his way back from a right hip injury, which lowers his chances of being claimed off waivers.

Fairbanks was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss the Yankees, giving up one run on two hits and no walks in one inning. He struck out one.

Fairbanks blew his fourth save of the season and his second of the month of July. The hard-throwing right-hander has been Tampa Bay's go-to weapon for the ninth inning in 2025, although it's fair to wonder if his grip on the closer's role is slightly loosening due to a rough stretch on the mound since early June. Across his last 14.1 innings, Fairbanks has produced a 5.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB while converting six of nine save chances.

Williams was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in one inning.

It was only the second blown save of the season by Williams, but it's certainly been a shaky month of July for him. Over his last 11 innings, the star right-hander has a 5.73 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB. Williams does have a strong 3.48 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings since the start of June, so he's likely to remain New York's top option at closer going forward.

Detroit acquired Montero from Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Jim Jarvis.

Montero will join his third team of the season after logging a 5.40 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 38.1 innings between Atlanta and Houston. He'll likely fill a middle-relief role for Detroit.

Santillan picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Dodgers, striking out one in a clean ninth inning.

Closer Emilio Pagan likely wasn't available after working four of the past five days for the Reds, which created the opportunity for Santillan to nab his third save of the season. Santillan owns a 1.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB over 23 innings since the start of June, and he remains firmly in the high-leverage mix with 22 holds on the year.

The Mariners optioned Kowar to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

The Mariners had to make room in their bullpen after acquiring Caleb Ferguson from Pittsburgh on Wednesday, and Kowar will officially end up as the roster casualty. The 28-year-old righty pitched three scoreless innings after being recalled from Triple-A on Thursday, lowering his big-league ERA to 1.54 through 11.2 frames this season.

Vasil (5-3) earned the win Wednesday over the Phillies, allowing three hits while striking out three over four scoreless innings.

Vasil worked as a bulk reliever and managed to keep a high-powered Phillies offense at bay before the White Sox rallied for seven runs in the seventh inning, en route to a 9-3 victory. The 25-year-old Vasil has been excellent of late, posting a 0.61 ERA over his last seven appearances (14.2 innings). Overall, his ERA sits at an impressive 2.35 with a 1.22 WHIP and 51:36 K:BB across 69 innings in his rookie campaign.