MLB Player News

Jax (5-7) took the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and one walk over five-plus innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander didn't get any help from his offense in a 10-0 rout, but Jax's efforts to keep the game close unraveled in the sixth inning when he led off the frame by hitting Caleb Durbin with a pitch, and then watched the next three Boston batters reach base before he got the hook. Jax tossed 55 of 85 pitches for strikes in his worst outing of the season, and it's the first time since June 1 he's been tagged for more than three runs. He'll take a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 77:26 K:BB through 75 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Rodriguez (concussion) is not in the Mariners' starting lineup against the Giants on Friday.

Rodriguez has been on the 7-day injured list since July 3 after entering the league's concussion protocol. He's not quite ready to return following the All-Star break, but Mariners general manager Justin Hollander told reporters Friday that the hope is that Rodriguez is back in the lineup for Saturday's contest, per Tim Booth of The Seattle Times. With Rodriguez sidelined, Seattle will have Victor Robles in center field Friday while Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley man the corners.

Narvaez went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in a 10-0 victory over the Rays in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

Narvaez had a couple of run-scoring singles before putting the final touch on the win with a seventh-inning homer to make it 10-0. The homer was his third of the season and first since April 28. It was rare offense from the catcher, who entered the contest with a .188 average and just six RBI over 54 games this season.

Heim is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Nationals on Friday.

The Athletics will roll with Shea Langeliers at catcher, Carlos Cortes as the designated hitter and Tommy White at first base while Heim opens Friday's game on the bench. Heim went 8-for-37 (.216) with two home runs and nine RBI in his 10 games prior to the All-Star break.

Meckler is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Tigers on Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers are sending right-hander Troy Melton to the mound Friday, but the lefty-hitting Meckler will begin the contest on the bench while Josh Lowe, Mike Trout and Jo Adell start in the outfield from left to right. Meckler and Lowe are competing for outfield reps in the second half of the season now that Trout is back from the 10-day injured list.

Sosa (wrist) resumed hitting in the batting cages earlier this week after experiencing a setback in his rehab program, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Sosa was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in late June, but he was pulled from playing after his right wrist injury flared up. He's been cleared to resume baseball activities, but he'll likely need to go on another assignment before being cleared to return to the majors. Prior to his injury, Sosa posted a .490 OPS with one home run and nine RBI across 117 major-league plate appearances.

Barger (back/elbow) remains shut down from baseball activities, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

While Barger hopes to play again this season, an August return would be a best-case scenario, according to manager John Schneider. Barger hasn't played since May 9 due to right elbow inflammation and a stress reaction in his back. It's been a lost season for the 26-year-old, as he's managed to appear in just nine games to this point in 2026.

Yoshida went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in a 10-0 win over Tampa Bay in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

Yoshida jumped on the first pitch he saw in the fourth inning -- a sinker that didn't sink -- and curled it inside the foul pole down the right-field line. It was his fourth homer of the season and third in the last nine contests. Yoshida has hit safely in his last seven starts, going 13-for-29 (.448) with four doubles, three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored during that stretch. He's not an everyday starter but is finding regular work at designated hitter against right-handers.

Santander is still dealing with discomfort in his surgically repaired left shoulder and recently received another cortisone shot, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Santander underwent surgery to repair his labrum back in February and has yet to resume swinging the bat. It's becoming increasingly unlikely that he plays this season. Signed to a five-year, $92.5 million deal following the 2024 season, Santander's tenure in Toronto has been a nightmare after he slashed just .175/.271/.294 across 54 games last regular season.

Williams and the Guardians won't face the Pirates on Friday, as the game was postponed due to poor air quality.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday, with Williams taking the mound for Game 1, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Williams went 10-4 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 134:37 K:BB across 113.1 innings prior to the All-Star break.