MLB Player News

Bassitt (back) struck out four and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk Sunday in a rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk. He also hit three batters.

Making the second start of his rehab assignment with Norfolk, Bassitt wasn't especially sharp, but he was able to build up his workload as he works his way back from a late-June procedure to remove bone spurs from his back. The right-hander tossed 67 pitches (47 strikes) and averaged 91.1 mph with his sinker, just under a tick below his season-long average. From a volume standpoint, Bassitt looks like he could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list, though the Orioles may want to see him show improved efficiency in one more rehab appearance before adding him back to the big-league rotation.

The Angels acquired Alvarez from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for left-hander Brent Suter, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Alvarez produced a .626 OPS over 208 plate appearances and made 63 starts for Atlanta in 2025, but he has yet to see big-league action in 2026 while second baseman Ozzie Albies and third baseman Austin Riley have both remained healthy throughout the campaign. The 23-year-old Alvarez had been playing exclusively at the hot corner at Triple-A Gwinnett this season, slashing .236/.337/.326 with two home runs and four stolen bases in 37 games before landing on the injured list in late May due to an undisclosed issue. The severity of Alvarez's injury remains unclear, but assuming he's not dealing with a season-ending issue, he could be cleared to make his organizational debut at Triple-A Salt Lake within the next few weeks.

Jobe (elbow) struck out five and allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks over four innings in a rehab start Sunday for High-A West Michigan.

For the second straight rehab outing, Jobe covered exactly four innings, though he was able to push his pitch count up to 69 (44 strikes) on Sunday after tossing 54 pitches in his previous start July 25. Through five minor-league appearances across stops with four different affiliates, Jobe now owns a 1.76 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB in 15.1 innings. The young right-hander is checking all the boxes as he works his way back from May 2025 Tommy John surgery, as he generated 10 whiffs and hit 100 mph on three differnt pitches Sunday. He'll likely reconvene with the Tigers early this week before his next step is decided, but Jobe will probably need only one more minor-league start, at most, before making his 2026 debut for the big club.

The Angels acquired Micheletti, Arjun Nimmala and Angel Rivero on Monday from the Blue Jays in exchange for Jose Soriano.

Micheletti, 24, has slashed .251/.347/.454 with 14 home runs and a 46:70 BB:K over 93 games with Double-A New Hampshire this season. He's mostly a corner outfielder but also has some experience in center field and at first base.

The Angels acquired Nimmala, Eddie Micheletti and Angel Rivero from the Blue Jays on Monday in exchange for Jose Soriano, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Nimmala is the big get here for the Angels. A first-round pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Nimmala has missed time with injuries this season but has slashed .279/.355/.451 with four home runs and four stolen bases in 33 games since arriving at Double-A New Hampshire. The 20-year-old shortstop is at least a year away from reaching the majors, but he has loads of upside.

The Blue Jays acquired Soriano from the Angels on Monday in exchange for infielder Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero, Mark Feinsand and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com report.

After dealing away right-hander Kevin Gausman on Sunday, the 52-60 Blue Jays appeared to be firmly in the sellers camp heading into Monday's deadline. However, the team has replenished its rotation depth with the acquisition of Soriano, who may have carried added appeal for Toronto since he's under club control through 2028. Soriano permitted just one earned run in 37.2 innings while going 5-0 through his first six starts of the season with the Angels, but he's fallen back to earth with a 4.64 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 84:44 K:BB in 85.1 innings over his subsequent 16 outings. The 28-year-old righty could slot into the Toronto rotation as soon as Thursday's game versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Contreras went 0-for-5 in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Dodgers.

Contreras was back in action after missing one game due to a head injury. He's batting .143 (3-for-21) with eight walks and one home run over the last eight contests.

Duran went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Dodgers.

Duran snapped a 22-game homer drought with a solo shot in the sixth inning. It was the last of the four HRs hit by Boston, which completed a sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles. When the Red Sox spiraled in the first half, Duran's name often came up in trade speculation, but the team's recent turnaround makes it buyers heading into Monday's trade deadline. Duran, who entered the All-Star break with a .194 average, clawed his way back to .200 following Sunday's contest (.233 in second half).

The White Sox acquired Brazoban from the Mets on Monday in exchange for right-handers Zach Franklin and Gabe Davis, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Brazoban had mainly been used in a middle-relief role for the Mets this season, notching five wins and eight holds while pitching to a 2.56 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 49:23 K:BB in 52.2 innings over 46 appearances. The White Sox bullpen is comparatively lacking in trustworthy arms, so the 36-year-old righty could have a chance at earning more higher-leverage work with his new club. Grant Taylor (2.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 25.8 K-BB%) has been the White Sox's top reliever this season, but he's picked up just five saves while manager Will Venable has preferred to use him in a more versatile fireman role.

Bazzana went 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base in Sunday's 5-0 win over Arizona.

Bazzana, who limped into the All-Star break with a .193 average and .282 on-base percentage since June 1, has bounced back in the second half. The rookie is 16-for-58 (.276) with 10 walks (.391 OBP) and three steals in the 16 games since returning from the break. Sunday's theft was number 16 (in 20 attempts) for Bazzana, second on the Guardians.