MLB Player News

Valencia went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and was also hit by a pitch in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Athletics.

Valencia received his first call to the majors earlier in the day, and he supplied a special moment when he appeared as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. The 26-year-old Venezuelan lifted the fourth pitch of his first MLB at-bat over the wall in center for his first career home run. Valencia spent eight seasons in the minors before getting promoted to provide some catching depth as Dillon Dingler manages a thumb injury. Dingler's injury isn't considered serious and may return to the lineup soon, which could send Valencia back to Triple-A Toledo, though he's firmly in the mix to provide MLB depth the rest of the season as needed.

Rogers went 1-for-1 with two walks and a solo home run in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Athletics.

With Dillon Dingler getting the night off a day after taking a foul ball off his right thumb, Rogers stepped into the starting lineup and went deep for the second straight game. X-rays came back negative on Dingler's thumb, so he may be able to return soon, but the Tigers also only have three more games before the All-Star break and may play it safe with their starting catcher. If that's the case, Rogers should get a few more chances to shine before returning to a backup role in the second half.

Rice went 2-for-4 with two home runs, five RBI, a walk and an additional run scored in Thursday's 12-4 win over the Rays.

Rice delivered his first multi-homer game of the year Thursday and the fourth of his career, amassing a season-high five RBI in the process. Following a dreadful month of June, when he hit .196 with just seven extra-base hits over 102 at-bats, the All-Star slugger is returning to form in July. Rice has gone deep five times while collecting 11 RBI in only 29 at-bats during July thus far, now slashing .275/.366/.590 with 28 long balls, 15 doubles, 65 RBI and 63 runs scored across 377 trips to the plate overall.

Chapman secured the save Thursday against the White Sox, throwing a clean ninth inning.

Chapman made quick work out of the Chicago bats, landing all but one of his nine pitches for strikes. The hard-throwing left-hander has been shaky lately, having yielded six runs with two blown saves over his last seven innings, though he managed his first perfect outing Thursday since June 5 against the Yankees. Through 27.2 innings, Chapman has a 2.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB with 19 saves in 21 opportunities.

Smith secured the save Thursday against the Twins, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.

With Thursday's save, the 27-year-old right-hander moved in front of Bryan Baker for the major-league lead. Cade Smith has flourished as Cleveland's full-time closer in 2026, posting a 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 61:11 K:BB with 27 saves in 30 attempts over 42.1 innings. Smith has yet to allow a hit across four outings in July so far.

Gelof exited Thursday's contest against the Tigers in the third inning with a right knee injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Gelof made a sliding catch for the first out in the bottom of the third inning, but he slammed his right leg into the left field wall in the process, and he was forced to exit the game as a result. The 26-year-old will finish his night having gone 0-for-1 in his only at-bat, and Lawrence Butler has replaced him the outfield against Detroit. More information on Gelof's status will likely be provided in the near future.

Adell isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Adell will get a chance to catch his breath after going 2-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored during Wednesday's contest -- his third consecutive game with two or more hits. Josh Lowe will patrol right field and bat sixth while Adell sits.

Peraza isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Peraza will get a breather after making three consecutive starts, during which he went 1-for-11 with a run, an RBI and a steal. Vaughn Grissom will fill in as the Angels' second baseman and bat fifth.

Sandoval took a no-decision Thursday against the White Sox, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Making his season debut for the Red Sox, Sandoval fared well in what also was his first big-league appearance since 2024 following a lengthy recovery from internal brace surgery and several setbacks. The 29-year-old southpaw threw 41 of his 65 pitches for strikes, but he couldn't quite get through the fifth inning as his control began to wane. Connelly Early (elbow) and Ranger Suarez (groin) could both be back shortly after the All-Star break, which would likely force Sandoval into a bullpen role.

Kay (6-4) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Kay got through three scoreless frames to begin the afternoon but fell apart a bit in the fourth inning, when he gave up both of his runs. Lack of control has been a recurring theme in the first half of the campaign for the 31-year-old left-hander amid his transition to the rotation, as he's issued multiple walks in 12 of his 19 outings while hitting at least one batter in 11 appearances. Through 89.1 frames, Kay has a middling 4.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 71:35 K:BB.