MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Rays.

Encarnacion-Strand continues to push for more playing time for the Orioles. Over his first 88 plate appearances, the infielder is slashing .272/.310/.543 with six homers, four doubles, 22 RBI and one stolen base. Blaze Alexander (hand) could serve as Baltimore's everyday third baseman when he comes off the injured list, but Encarnacion-Strand should continue to see steady action in the interim if he keeps swinging a hot bat.

Baker struck out two while allowing one hit and no walks in 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save Monday against the Orioles.

In a pivotal American League East matchup Monday, the Rays turned to Baker to record more than three outs for the first time this season. The All-Star right-hander continues to be a lights-out closer, last blowing a save May 13 in Toronto. Through 49 innings, Baker boasts a 1.47 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 55:16 K:BB with an MLB-high 35 saves (38 attempts).

Young took a no-decision against the Rays on Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out three.

Young had a hard time keeping the ball in the park Monday, serving up a season-high three home runs. It was also the right-hander's shortest outing since May 17 in Washington, while the eight hits were his most allowed since July 10 versus the Royals. Young still has a quality 3.52 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 96:42 K:BB over 117.2 innings this year, and his rotation spot appears to be solidified for the remainder of the campaign after Baltimore dealt away Dean Kremer to the Twins at the trade deadline.

McClanahan took a no-decision against the Orioles on Monday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Making his return from the injured list, McClanahan showed signs of rust on the major-league mound following a one-start rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham. The Rays appeared to have a strict workload limit in place for the left-hander, who threw only 57 pitches (35 strikes), but he should see those restrictions loosen as he becomes further removed from his bout of left mid-back tightness. McClanahan is set to take a 3.25 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 94:35 K:BB over 102.1 innings into a road rematch with Baltimore.

The Yankees placed Fried on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a left elbow bone bruise.

Fried last pitched Thursday, when he gave up one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings in a loss to Seattle. He had been scheduled to take the hill Wednesday in Baltimore, but the elbow issue might have cropped up during his between-starts bullpen session. The Yankees haven't provided a timeline for Fried's return, but he'll miss at least a couple of turns through the rotation before he's eligible for activation Aug. 29. Given that he was forced to the shelf earlier in the season with a similar injury and missed more than two months, Fried seems likely to be out beyond the minimum 15 days.

Pecko is expected to be called up by the Astros and start in his major-league debut against the Angels on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pecko was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, and it appears the 23-year-old right-hander will get the call to make his first major-league start Wednesday. Pecko briefly saw some time on the 7-day IL earlier in the season due to thoracic outlet syndrome, but he has spent the majority of 2026 in Triple-A, where he has a 4-6 record across 17 games (15 starts) with a 4.94 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 71:28 K:BB over 74.2 innings. He figures to get a few turns in the Astros rotation, at least until Mike Burrows (elbow) is cleared to return from the 15-day IL.

Benintendi is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Benintendi will head to the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Colson Montgomery and Tristan Peters while southpaw Shota Imanaga takes the hill for the Cubs. Randal Grichuk will fill in for Benintendi at designated hitter and will bat cleanup.

Peters is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Peters will head to the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Colson Montgomery and Andrew Benintendi while southpaw Shota Imanaga takes the hill for the Cubs. Brenton Doyle will spell Peters in center field and will bat sixth.

Larnach is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta.

The left-handed-hitting Larnach will retreat to the bench for the second time in three games while the Twins face off against another lefty starter (Martin Perez). Alan Roden will spell Larnach in left field and will bat ninth.

Rave is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics.

The left-handed-hitting Rave has been playing fairly regularly since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on July 29, but he'll likely see more limited opportunities moving forward after the Royals reinstated Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday. With Pasquantino stepping back in as the Royals' everyday first baseman, Jac Caglianone is expected to displace Rave in the strong side of a platoon in right field.