MLB Player News

Latz earned a save against the Angels on Monday, issuing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Latz entered in the bottom of the 10th inning with Texas up 4-1. He had to grind a bit, working around a one-out walk and throwing 24 total pitches, but the right-hander was able to get three outs without allowing any runs. Latz lowered his season ERA to a sterling 1.83 and is now up to 23 saves, sixth-most in the American League.

Smith allowed a run on one hit and one walk over one inning to take a blown save in Monday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to the Astros.

Smith was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth inning and couldn't get the job done. The right-hander has received first dibs on closing duties after the Giants' trade-deadline sell-off, but he's converted just one of two chances, and he's allowed three runs over 5.1 innings in August. Overall, he has a 3.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB through 23.1 innings while adding two saves, six holds and two blown saves.

Tidwell allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Monday.

Tidwell performed well, throwing 62 of 96 pitches for strikes, but he came up an out shy of his first career quality start. He's done well with three runs allowed over 10.2 innings over his first two starts this year, and he'll likely get the chance to end the campaign in the rotation. Overall, he's at a 2.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB through 22.2 innings over 10 games (two starts) in the majors. He's projected for a home start versus the Rockies over the weekend.

Bowlan secured the save against the Cardinals on Monday, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.

The Phillies likely didn't have Jhoan Duran available after the closer worked Saturday and Sunday, but Bowlan filled in effectively Monday with his first save in four attempts this year. Bowlan, who has turned in five consecutive scoreless outings, has been reliable out of the Philadelphia bullpen in 2026, posting a 2.74 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 53:10 K:BB with eight holds over 42.2 innings.

Varland earned the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Red Sox, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Varland was called on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff double to close the door. The 28-year-old has posted just one clean outing in five August appearances, but he's still managed a save and two wins during that stretch. On the season, he's 25-for-26 in save opportunities while boasting a 1.31 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 76:17 K:BB across 61.2 innings.

The Blue Jays released Alcala on Tuesday.

Alcala had seen big-league action in each of the previous seven seasons but failed to receive a look in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2026 after inking a minor-league contract with the franchise in December. He spent a large portion of the campaign on the injured list, making just 10 appearances at Triple-A Buffalo while pitching to a 6.75 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 12 innings.

Woodford agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Woodford was cast off the Cubs' 40-man roster Tuesday and elected free agency a few days later. It didn't take long for the right-hander to find work, as he'll be brought in by the Rays on a minor-league deal to serve as pitching depth. Woodford owns a 7.18 ERA and 1.78 WHIP with 23 strikeouts across 26.1 innings in the big leagues this season between stops in Milwaukee and Chicago.

The Rockies released Castillo on Saturday.

Castillo had spent most of the season on Triple-A Albuquerque's injured list while he recovered from a right lat injury suffered in spring training, but he was able to make it back from the shelf July 31 after a completing a month-long rehab assignment that included stops at two lower-level affiliates. He made just one appearance for Albuquerque, giving up four earned runs on three hits and three walks over 1.2 innings before the Rockies cut ties with him a week later.

Romero (abdomen) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list before the end of August, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Romero was dealt from the Cardinals to the Brewers at the deadline, but he's been on the shelf since July 14 due to appendicitis. While initial injury updates while he was with the Cardinals pointed to a mid-August return, McCalvy notes that Romero still needs to successfully make it through several side sessions and a rehab assignment, which should set him up for his Milwaukee debut before the end of the month.

Bachman (forearm) played catch out to 60 feet Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bachman landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right forearm radial nerve inflammation, though it's a positive sign that he's already been cleared to resume throwing. Assuming he checks out fine after tossing Monday, he'll likely be asked to throw again later in the week and could resume mound work in the near future.