MLB Player News

Lukes went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored during the Blue Jays' 8-1 win over the Mariners on Friday.

Lukes gave Toronto a 4-1 lead after taking Emerson Hancock deep to right field for a solo home run, with the former crossing home plate a second time on a Myles Straw RBI single in the seventh. Lukes has been hot at the plate recently, having gone 8-for-24 with four home runs, nine RBI and five runs scored over his last seven games. For the year, he has a .708 OPS with one steal, 10 homers and 32 RBI over 359 plate appearances.

Springer went 4-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two additional runs scored during the Blue Jays' 8-1 win over the Mariners on Friday.

Springer set a season high with four hits Friday, and he was a triple shy of a cycle. His most impactful hit was his third, a homer off Emerson Hancock in the fifth inning to extend Toronto's lead to 5-1. Over his last 10 games, Springer has gone 16-for-32 with one steal, two home runs, seven RBI and six runs scored.

Sousa will serve as the opening pitcher during Saturday's game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Sousa gave up four earned runs while recording just one out during his last appearance Wednesday, but the Astros will trust him to work the first inning of Saturday's contest in what will be the left-hander's first career start. Cristian Javier is expected to work in bulk relief once Sousa comes out of the game.

Okamoto went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI during the Blue Jays' 8-1 win over the Mariners on Friday.

Okamoto contributed to the Blue Jays' three-run first inning with a sacrifice fly that brought Vladimir Guerrero home. Okamoto kept his night going with a solo homer in the sixth -- his 27th home run of the season -- while adding an RBI single in the seventh. It was the eighth time this season that he drove in at least three runs in a game, and his 77 RBI is 10th-most in the American League this season.

Cease (9-5) earned the win against Seattle on Friday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight across six innings.

Cease yielded a solo homer to Dominic Canzone in the first inning but was able to settle in after that, striking out the side in the second frame while keeping the Mariners off the board for the rest of his start. Cease has recorded at least seven strikeouts in 19 consecutive starts, which is tied for the second-longest streak in MLB single-season history behind Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, both of whom did so in 20 consecutive outings. Cease will take a 2.33 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 217:65 K:BB over 150.1 innings into his next start, lined up for next week on the road against the Guardians.

Leiter (ankle) reported biceps soreness after the first inning of his latest rehab outing at Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Zach Sweet of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers will shut Leiter down from throwing for a few days before reevaluating him. Manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Leiter's setback will make it harder for him to return this season as a starter, but he may still be able to contribute out of the bullpen if he's able to get fully healthy.

Wilson will undergo surgery on his left shoulder Sept. 16, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Wilson landed on the injured list last Friday due to soreness related to a shoulder separation he suffered earlier in the season, and he'll opt to go under the knife to address the issue. His procedure will be similar to the one teammate Zack Gelof underwent last September, and assuming Wilson also has a similar return timeline, he figures to be fully healthy by the time the 2027 campaign begins.

Henderson is not in the Orioles' starting lineup against the Athletics on Friday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Henderson will have a rare off day while Blaze Alexander -- who was reinstated from the injured list Friday -- will start at shortstop and bat leadoff. Henderson has a .217 batting average (18-for-83) in August with two steals, two home runs, five RBI, 15 runs scored and a 17:15 BB:K.

Armstrong (calf) threw a bullpen session Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Armstrong was recently cleared to begin a throwing progression, a good indication that he is recovering from a left calf strain that landed him on the injured list in late July. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 4, but he could be back on the Guardians' major-league roster right before the end of the regular season in mid-to-late September.

The Orioles optioned Vazquez to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The Orioles selected Vazquez's contract from Norfolk on Wednesday, but he'll now depart the active roster without appearing in a game to make room for Blaze Alexander (hand), who returned from the IL on Friday. Vazquez will remain on the Orioles' taxi squad for now in case Baltimore needs to add infield depth on short notice.