MLB Player News

Straw went 0-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Rays.

The veteran speedster got the start in center field but wound up playing all three outfield spots over the course of the afternoon as the Blue Jays went to their bench frequently in a 3-1 win. Straw has seen his playing time pick up of late, but over his last 10 games he's batting just .136 (3-for-33) with two runs and two steals. If Toronto ends up as a seller at the trade deadline, however, he could wind up as the team's top option in center field down the stretch with Daulton Varsho a likely candidate to be moved.

Rodriguez (elbow) began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Thursday, giving up a solo home run and striking out three in one inning.

Rodriguez served up a home run to the first batter he faced since last August's flexor surgery, but he then rebounded to fan the next three hitters. The 29-year-old will need several rehab outings as he preps for a return to the Rays' bullpen. Rodriguez posted a 2.12 ERA and 59:17 K:BB over 68 innings the last two seasons for Tampa Bay, so he could provide a nice boost to the relief corps if he can regain his pre-surgery form.

Springer went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Rays.

After drawing a walk in his first plate appearance, Springer gave Toronto the lead with an RBI single in the third inning before adding a double in the sixth. The veteran outfielder has come out of the All-Star break swinging a hot bat, going 8-for-22 (.364) with five RBI and a 1.008 OPS through six games.

Outman went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

Outman supplied most of Detroit's offense Thursday when he took John Schreiber deep in the seventh inning, giving him four home runs on the season. While the blast proved decisive, it has otherwise been a difficult month for the outfielder, who owns a .128 batting average (6-for-47) and 42.6 percent strikeout rate across 16 games in July. Overall, Outman has struggled to a .159/.218/.297 slash line this season.

Collins went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers.

Collins broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning by taking Troy Melton deep for his sixth long ball of the season. The outfielder hasn't gone consecutive contests without a hit since June 9 and is batting .297 over that 35-game stretch. On the season, Collins is slashing .245/.346/.372 with 17 doubles, one triple, 34 RBI, 37 runs scored and six stolen bases across 93 games.

Finnegan earned the save Thursday against the Royals, recording the final two outs in a 4-3 victory.

With Kenley Jansen unavailable after pitching three of the previous four days, Drew Sommers got the initial call in the ninth but was pulled after allowing a walk and a single. Finnegan entered with two runners on and one out and needed just two pitches to induce a game-ending double play from Salvador Perez, earning his second save of the season and first since April 30. While the veteran right-hander owns a respectable 2.36 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and 35:25 K:BB across 45.2 innings, he has struggled to protect leads this season, getting charged with six blown saves.

Melton did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings.

Melton escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and carried a shutout into the sixth before allowing a leadoff single and a two-run homer to Isaac Collins, ending his afternoon. Despite the late damage, the right-hander continued his impressive consistency, holding opponents to two runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts this season. Melton owns a stellar 1.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB across 60 innings and is lined up to make his next start at home against the Orioles.

Dobnak did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Tigers, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three over five scoreless innings.

Dobnak delivered another effective outing, throwing 50 of 76 pitches for strikes while limiting Detroit to just six hard-hit balls. He generated 10 whiffs on 34 swings despite finishing with only three strikeouts. The veteran right-hander has allowed one run over his last 15 innings and owns a 1.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across four appearances since being recalled July 1. With Stephen Kolek (forearm) having been transferred to the 60-day injured list, Dobnak appears to have a clear path to remaining a part of the rotation.

The Athletics optioned Tur to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Tur was promoted for his major-league debut last week and was absolutely pounded across two appearances with the big club. He faced 24 batters and was able to record just eight outs while allowing 14 runs on 12 hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Manager Mark Kotsay openly wondered if Tur was tipping his pitches, according to Jason Burke of Roundtable.io. Tur will try to figure things out again with Las Vegas.

Cameron is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Beck Way in Friday's game against the Tigers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Way will likely cover the first inning or two before Cameron takes over for what will be his first career relief appearance in the majors. Cameron allowed at least five runs in four of his last five starts, so the Royals will hope to get better results from him by deploying him out of the bullpen behind an opener.