MLB Player News

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

While Kikuchi didn't issue a walk for the first time in his last seven starts, he did concede a season-high 10 knocks. The 34-year-old southpaw failed to throw a single spotless inning, though just one of his hits allowed traveled for extra bases. Kikuchi will bring a 3.30 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 132:54 K:BB across 128 frames into next week's scheduled home outing versus the struggling Rays, who carry a .580 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of July.

Corbin didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Angels, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out six.

Corbin has really settled into Texas' rotation this season, having now pitched at least five innings in 16 straight starts. Additionally, the veteran southpaw has given up two runs or fewer in five consecutive outings, and he matched a season low in hits allowed Tuesday. Corbin will take a 3.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 93:32 K:BB across 109.2 innings into this weekend's scheduled appearance in Seattle against the Mariners, who have a poor .660 OPS versus left-handed pitching at home since the beginning of June.

Higashioka went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 8-5 loss to the Angels.

Making his return from a five-game absence with a hamstring strain, Higashioka enjoyed the sixth multi-homer game of his career and his first such effort of the season. The veteran catcher is certainly pushing for more playing time, whether it behind the plate or as the designated hitter, with a red-hot stretch of hitting during the month of July. Over his last 14 games (51 at-bats), Higashioka is hitting .392 with five homers, two doubles and 11 RBI.

Jansen picked up the save in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Rangers, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The save was Jansen's 20th of the season, and he hasn't given up an earned run since his June 15 outing in Baltimore. Since then, the veteran right-hander has a 0.61 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB covering 16.1 innings as the Angels' closer. Jansen has been a rumored trade candidate ahead of Thursday's deadline, and it remains to be seen how a potential move might affect his fantasy value.

Stephenson (biceps) threw from 120 feet Tuesday and is slated to throw off a mound Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stephenson recently expressed frustration about the slow pace of his rehab, but he said after reaching 120 feet during long toss Tuesday that his arm "turned for the better." The veteran reliever is now scheduled for a bullpen Wednesday, though he's planning to throw only fastballs in that session. Stephenson has appeared in just two games with the Angels so far this season, but if he doesn't hit any snags in his current rehab, he could be back with the team around mid-August.

Arozarena went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Athletics.

Arozarena notched his 20th steal of the year in this contest, reaching the 20-20 threshold for the fifth year in a row. He did it in just 106 games in 2025 after needing 154 contests last year to achieve those marks. In addition to his well-rounded power and speed numbers, Arozarena is slashing .247/.350/.463 with 52 RBI, 60 runs scored, 23 doubles and one triple this season. He has faded a little lately, going just 6-for-36 (.167) over his last 10 contests.

Evans (4-4) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Athletics.

After a couple of decent starts in a row, Evans struggled mightily in this contest, allowing two home runs among the seven hits. The six runs allowed match his season high, and he's walked multiple batters in four straight starts. He's allowed 15 runs over 18.1 innings in that span, raising his ERA to 4.22 with a 1.44 WHIP and 50:23 K:BB through 64 innings across 12 starts overall. If Evans continues to struggle, he could be sent back to Triple-A Tacoma, especially if the Mariners pursue a starting pitcher before Thursday's trade deadline. Should Evans remain in the majors, he's projected to start at home versus the Rangers this weekend.

Moore (thumb) will kick off a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Moore has been on the IL since July 3 due to a sprained left thumb. He resumed baseball activities late last week and has been playing catch, fielding grounders and swinging a bat. Moore could be back with the Angels in a matter of days, though it's unclear how the Angels will manage the infield upon his return. Luis Rengifo has been starting at second base of late and hitting well, while Yoan Moncada is the starter at third base, though he's currently sidelined by a hand injury.

Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and a second run scored in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Mariners.

Langeliers has homered four times over his last five games, giving him 18 long balls on the year. He's flipped a switch since the All-Star break, batting .391 (18-for-46) across his last 12 contests while racking up 12 RBI in that span. The catcher is up to a .253/.308/.495 slash line through 78 games this season and should continue to handle a majority of the work behind the dish for the Athletics.

Rooker went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Mariners.

Rooker's third-inning blast off Logan Evans was more than enough offense for the Athletics in this contest. Rooker had gone 10 games without a homer, hitting just .179 with two RBI and a 4:14 BB:K in that span. The slugger is up to 22 long balls this season while maintaining a .272/.347/.496 slash line across 110 contests. He's added 61 RBI, 67 runs scored, 24 doubles, three triples and three stolen bases while serving as the primary designated hitter.