MLB Player News

The Royals recalled Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

With Stephen Kolek going on paternity leave and missing his scheduled start Friday against the White Sox, Spence will give the Royals' bullpen some length behind opener Steven Cruz. Spence has appeared in two games for Kansas City this season, allowing 12 runs on 11 hits and six walks with just four strikeouts across eight innings. He's operated as a starter with Omaha.

Cruz is listed as the Royals' opener for Friday's game against the White Sox.

Kansas City has an opening in its rotation Friday with Stephen Kolek (personal) away from the team while he awaits the birth of his child, so Cruz will step in to make his first MLB start since 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance this season and will be pitching on just two days' rest, so he's unlikely to last even once through the batting order. The Royals called up Mitch Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, and he'll presumably be tasked with covering multiple innings in bulk relief.

McNeil went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 9-6 win over the Giants.

McNeil collected a trio of singles, including an RBI knock in the eighth inning to pull the Athletics within a run before the club completed a comeback in the ninth. Thursday marked the second baseman's third three-hit effort and 15th multi-hit performance in what has been a fairly lackluster season. The 34-year-old is slashing .237/.309/.319 with three homers, 10 doubles, 20 RBI, 21 runs and a stolen base across 74 games.

Butler went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored and a steal in Thursday's 9-6 win over the Giants.

Butler came through in the clutch, depositing an RBI single into right field with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Athletics the lead. The 25-year-old has struggled to a .197 batting average and .585 OPS across 73 games this season, but he has shown signs of turning things around of late. Across 20 appearances in June, Butler is slashing .288/.327/.481 with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, 11 runs and two stolen bases, though he's striking out at a 29.1 percent clip this month.

The White Sox recalled Sandlin from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Sandlin will start Friday's game against the Royals after posting a microscopic 1.57 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB across 23 innings spanning six starts for Charlotte this season. He made two starts for the White Sox earlier this season, both against the Twins, and has compiled an 8.10 ERA and 14:7 K:BB across his first 13.1 innings in the big leagues.

Okamoto went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Thursday's loss to the Rangers.

The 29-year-old third baseman made things interesting in the ninth inning by crushing a fastball from Texas closer Jacob Latz 420 feet to straightaway center field, but the Blue Jays' late rally came up short. Okamoto has homered in three of the last five games, and over 21 contests in June he's produced a .316/.384/.605 slash line with four doubles, six long balls, 14 runs and 18 RBI as he makes a push to start for the American League in the All-Star Game during his first season in MLB.

The Yankees activated Sanchez from the paternity leave list Friday.

Sanchez missed the last three contests as he welcomed a new baby to the family. He's now ready to resume his role as the Yankees' backup catcher behind Austin Wells.

Bubic (elbow) threw a perfect inning while striking out one in Wednesday's rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.

Bubic is recovering from left elbow soreness, but his initial rehab assignment was halted June 9 due to shoulder discomfort. The southpaw threw six of eight pitches for strikes Wednesday before departing. Per MLB.com, Bubic is scheduled to throw two innings with Triple-A Omaha on Saturday as he continues to build up. If the 28-year-old avoids any further setbacks, a return to the Kansas City rotation before the All-Star break might be possible.

Gonzales went 3-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run for High-A Greenville on Thursday.

Gonzales sent the first pitch he saw over the fence in right-center field to lead off the bottom of the first inning. It was his 10th home run of the season and third in the last five games. He became the 10th prospect in Boston's system to reach double-digit homers. Gonzales has made an effort to lift the ball more in 2026, and he continues to keep his groundball rate (46.1 percent) down while hitting more flyballs (27.2 percent) and line drives (26.7 percent).

The White Sox optioned Rock to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Rock has been wild in four outings with the big club this season, walking 11 over 10.1 innings to go along with 12 strikeouts and a 3.48 ERA. He is clearing off the roster to make room for David Sandlin, who will be recalled from Charlotte to start Friday's game versus the Royals.