MLB Player News

Kremer (1-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Orioles fell 9-7 to the Cubs, giving up four runs -- all on solo home runs -- on six total hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out four.

Pete Crow-Armstrong took Kremer deep twice, while Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly also went back-to-back in the fifth inning. Kremer left the mound after 92 pitches (55 strikes), and while his 24:9 K:B through 22 innings on the season is encouraging, the right-hander has also served up nine homers in his four big-league starts, leading to a 4.09 ERA despite a 1.00 WHIP. However, as long as he can stay healthy, Kremer seems locked into a rotation spot on the other side of the All-Star break, barring some major trade acquisitions by the O's.

The Angels signed Reyes to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Reyes recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the Padres after posting a .310/.408/.491 batting line with six home runs, 15 steals and a 35:36 BB:K in 56 games with Triple-A El Paso. The 32-year-old utility player will aim to eventually get a chance in the majors, but he'll report to Triple-A Salt Lake for now.

Massey is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Mets.

With the Mets starting southpaw Sean Manaea, the lefty-swinging Massey will begin Thursday's game on the bench. The hot-hitting Tyler Tolbert will handle second base in Massey's stead.

Jensen is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

The left-handed-hitting Jensen started at catcher each of the last two days, so he'll get some rest during Thursday's matinee as the Mets send southpaw Sean Manaea to the bump. Luke Maile is doing the catching and Salvador Perez will play first base for the Royals.

Scherzer (back) was charged with five runs (four earned) on six hits and no walks over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. He struck out five.

It wasn't a great outing from a run-prevention standpoint, but Scherzer picked up 16 whiffs on his 72 pitches, which is encouraging. He averaged 93.4 mph with his four-seamer, which is slightly up from what he's averaged during his time with the Blue Jays this season. Scherzer will pitch in the Florida Complex League on Tuesday and could be back in the majors following the All-Star break, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca. Scherzer has a 10.23 ERA in six starts with the big club in 2026.

Rocchio went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Twins.

Rocchio smashed a two-run homer into the second deck in left field to give the Guardians a 2-0 lead. The everyday shortstop for Cleveland struggled in June with a .595 OPS, but he's off to a strong start in July with two homers and a .925 OPS in seven games.

Roden went 2-for-5 with two RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 win against Cleveland.

Roden barreled a walk-off single off the wall in center field in his season debut for the Twins. The 26-year-old was promoted Tuesday when Byron Buxton (hip) was placed on the injured list and could help fill the open spot in the lineup. The lefty-batting Rodon hit well in the minors this season, slashing .272/.397/.512 with eight home runs and a 24:25 BB:K in 33 games with St. Paul.

Higashioka went 1-for-1 with a solo home run as a pinch hitter in Wednesday's 13-1 loss to the Angels.

Higashioka popped the homer in the eighth inning to get the Rangers on the board. He stayed in the game as the pitcher, allowing two runs on two hits and a hit batsman in mop-up duty during the blowout loss. Higashioka has gone 8-for-37 with two homers and a 5:9 BB:K over his last 14 contests, but he's in the backup role behind Elias Diaz while Danny Jansen (forearm) remains out. On the year, Higashioka is batting .223 with a .672 OPS, six homers, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored and three doubles over 166 plate appearances.

Gore (5-8) allowed seven runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven over five innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Angels.

Gore has allowed four or more runs in four of his last seven outings, taking a loss in each of those four instances. The left-hander was tagged for a pair of home runs by Jo Adell, which accounted for five of the seven runs. Gore is now at a 4.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 111:40 K:BB through 101 innings over 19 starts this season.

Neto went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored in Wednesday's 13-1 win over the Rangers.

Neto reached the 20-double mark on the year with this effort. He has gone 22-for-78 (.282) with six home runs, six doubles and 13 RBI over his last 20 contests. That's a marked improvement on his overall numbers -- he's batting .234 with a .788 OPS on the year, and he's added 19 homers, 45 RBI, 64 runs scored and 11 steals through 90 games this season.