MLB Player News

Smith (4-1) collected the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Cleveland closer kept the score tied at 6-6 in the top of the final frame, and Smith got rewarded when Brayan Rocchio launched a walk-off solo shot in the bottom half of the inning. Smith hasn't been needed much lately, making only two appearances since Aug. 25, and that rest could pay off down the stretch as the Guardians try to catch the White Sox for the AL Central crown. Since the beginning of August, Smith has delivered a 1.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 12 innings while converting five of six save chances.

Griffin didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out three.

The Guardians won the game in 10 innings to complete a sweep in the twin bill, but Griffin exited the mound with his team in a 3-0 hole after 92 pitches (58 strikes). Over six outings since being picked up from the Nationals at the trade deadline, the southpaw has delivered two quality starts, and after a bumpy Cleveland debut Aug. 6, Griffin has a 3.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB through his last 27 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road next week in Baltimore.

Rocchio went 3-for-7 with a walk, a double, two home runs, five RBI, three runs scored and two stolen bases across both games of Friday's doubleheader sweep of the Tigers.

The shortstop powered a 7-6 win in the matinee with both his long balls and all five of his RBI -- a fourth-inning grand slam off Keider Montero, and a walk-off solo shot off Drew Sommers in the ninth -- and Rocchio then played a key role in a 4-3 victory in the nightcap. After leading off the 10th inning with a fielder's choice that erased the phantom runner, he swiped second and third against Detroit closer Kenley Jansen, putting him in position to trot home on Travis Bazzana's single. Rocchio is up to 12 homers and 18 steals, both career highs, through 135 games on the season, but highlights at the plate have been rare of late. Over 27 contests since the beginning of August, he's managed just a .188/.248/.313 slash line.

Garcia (hamstring) is running at 80 percent while participating in baseball activities, per MLB.com.

Garcia hit the injured list Aug. 21 due to a left hamstring strain just four games after returning from a muscle strain in his left hand. The third baseman's progress in rehab is a positive sign and keeps a return before the end of the regular season on the table, though the Royals may ultimately err on the side of caution with the team far from playoff contention. In 73 games this season, Garcia has slashed .269/.324/.385 with three homers, 32 RBI, 34 runs and five stolen bases.

Torres went 4-for-9 with a walk and four runs scored across both games of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Torres batted leadoff in both games and recorded two hits in both contests as well. The veteran served as the DH in the matinee before sliding over to second base in the nightcap. Despite continuing to produce at the plate, Torres has seen his playing time reduced recently, with youngster Hao-Yu Lee (shin) seeing more time at the keystone for the 64-77 Tigers. That trend should continue with Detroit looking unlikely for a playoff spot.

Torkelson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

The slugging first baseman took Slade Cecconi deep in the third inning of the matinee, his second straight game with a long ball. Torkelson's recent power display snapped a homer drought that stretched back to July 31, but he's been able to stay somewhat productive during that span -- including a 1-for-4 showing in Friday's nightcap, he sports a .272/.364/.388 slash line over his last 31 contests with 10 runs and 12 RBI.

Basso (1-2) earned the win in Friday's 7-6 victory over Seattle. He allowed three hits and a walk with no strikeouts over three scoreless innings of relief.

After starter Kade Morris struggled across 2.2 innings, Basso stepped up and twirled three scoreless frames to pick up his first win of the campaign. The southpaw has shuttled between Triple-A Las Vegas and the big leagues throughout 2026, posting a 4.32 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 33.1 innings with the Athletics.

Jansen (4-6) took the loss in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing one unearned run on one hit over 1.2 innings. He struck out two.

With the Tigers having lost the matinee and desperate for a split in the twin bill, Jansen was called in to protect a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning and got the job done. He wasn't as successful in the 10th, however -- after Brayan Rocchio reached on a fielder's choice that erased the phantom runner, the Cleveland shortstop stole second and third base and came home on a walk-off single by Travis Bazzana. Jansen has been struggling to close the door of late, blowing two of his last three save chances in addition to Friday's loss, and since the beginning of August he's posted a 4.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB through nine innings.

Sears didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

The rookie southpaw came up just short of a quality start in his first MLB start, tossing 54 of 93 pitches for strikes and exiting the mound in line for his first victory, only to see the Detroit bullpen stumble in a 10-inning loss. Sears got tagged for five runs in four innings during his first appearance in late August, but over his last two outings he's delivered a 1.08 ERA and 5:2 K:BB in 8.1 frames. With the Tigers' playoff hopes looking very dim after the team was swept in the twin bill, Sears could get additional looks in the rotation once the team shifts its focus to 2027.

Clark went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

The Tigers ended up being swept in the twin bill, but Clark did what he could to prevent a loss in the matinee, piling up three hits for a second straight game and the third time in his brief MLB career. After an 0-for-4 showing in the nightcap, the rookie center fielder sports a .265/.331/.434 slash line through his first 32 contests for Detroit with two homers, two steals, 14 runs and 16 RBI.