MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-2 with a home run and an additional RBI in a 10-4 win over the Tigers on Thursday.

Smith began the game on the bench but entered as a pinch hitter for Justin Foscue in the sixth inning. The utility man made an immediate impact with a solo homer to right field, then drove in another run on an infield single in the seventh. Smith has struggled for most of the campaign and spent time in the minors late in June, but he was called back up Wednesday and has gone 3-for-4 in two contests since his return.

Valdez (4-6) took the loss against Texas on Thursday, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out one batter over five innings.

Valdez was hit early and often, as the Rangers built a 5-0 lead through four frames. The left-hander threw 17 of 26 first pitches for strikes but had trouble putting batters away -- he notched only three whiffs and one punchout. Valdez completed at least six innings in 22 of 31 regular-season starts while going 13-11 for the Astros last year, but it's been a different story during his first campaign in Detroit. He's tossed six-plus innings in a more modest 11 of 18 starts in 2026 and is now 4-6 on the season. Valdez's next start is lined up to be a home matchup against the Athletics.

Eovaldi (9-7) earned the win over Detroit on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out nine batters over five innings.

Eovaldi began his outing with four scoreless frames and took a 5-0 lead into the fifth. A pair of Tigers homers in that inning trimmed Texas' advantage to 5-3 and resulted in that being Eovaldi's final frame, but the right-hander still emerged with his ninth win. Despite his rough final inning, Eovaldi was mostly dominant, racking up 18 whiffs and tying his season high with nine punchouts -- a mark he has reached in three consecutive contests. The veteran hurler has won four straight starts and will look to extend that streak the next time he takes the mound, which is tentatively slated to be at home against the Angels.

Taylor (4-2) took the loss and blew the save Thursday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

Even though Seranthony Dominguez has blown back-to-back saves, Taylor isn't making much of a case for ninth-inning work. The 24-year-old right-hander has coughed up eight runs in his last seven outings, blowing two save chances during that stretch. Taylor still has a strong 3.02 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 64:14 K:BB over 44.1 innings, but he's converted only two of his five save opportunities and has just five holds.

Martin took a no-decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on six hits and five walks in 3.1 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Martin couldn't find the plate during a laborious outing at sweltering Progressive Field on Thursday, landing only half of his pitches for strikes and walking a season-high five. Additionally, the 74 pitches represent a season-low figure for the 29-year-old right-hander, who also matched his shortest start of the campaign in terms of innings. Martin still holds a strong 3.08 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 90:29 K:BB over 96.1 innings.

Cecconi took a no-decision Thursday against the White Sox, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk in five-plus innings. He struck out three.

A staggering six of Cecconi's nine hits allowed went for extra bases, three of which came in the fifth inning alone, and a Chase Meidroth two-run home run chased the hurler from the outing in the sixth frame. The 27-year-old right-hander stumbled dramatically Thursday, as he worked at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in all five of his starts in June. Cecconi will take a subpar 4.44 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 73:30 K:BB over 95.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Twins.

Baker secured the save Thursday against the Royals, striking out one in a clean ninth inning.

Baker remains firmly entrenched as Tampa Bay's closer. The 31-year-old right-hander has yielded just one run in his past 15 outings and last blew a save back on May 13, converting 11 straight. His 22 saves trail only Cade Smith's 26 for the major-league lead, while Baker boasts a 1.89 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB over 33.1 innings.

Seymour (5-1) earned the win Thursday against the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out eight.

That's now back-to-back quality starts for Seymour, who has excelled over his past five outings (three starts) while getting stretched out. During that span, the 27-year-old southpaw has a 2.52 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB covering 25 innings. Seymour, who holds a 4.02 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB over 56 innings on the year, is pushing for a permanent stay in the Rays' rotation, but a tough assignment against the Yankees awaits him for his next start.

Kolek (4-3) took the loss Thursday against the Rays, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in two innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Pitching on 10 days' rest following stints on the paternity and family medical emergency lists, Kolek showed signs of rust in an abbreviated start Thursday. The 29-year-old right-hander has now been unable to register a single punchout in back-to-back outings, watching his season ERA balloon from 2.68 on June 18 to 4.50 after coughing up 12 runs in his last two appearances. Kolek, who has a 1.24 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB over 54 innings this year, will be aiming to steady the ship against the Mets his next time out.

Robles was removed from Thursday night's contest against the Angels in the fifth inning with a right forearm injury, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Robles took a 97.9-mph sinker from Walbert Urena off his right forearm in the bottom of the third inning and was later replaced in the outfield by Weston Wilson before the top of the fifth. Robles had already entered the game in place of Julio Rodriguez (head), and Seattle will now operate especially shorthanded for the remainder of the contest. More information on Robles' status will likely come following the conclusion of Thursday's series finale.