MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said recently that while he "certainly" expects Smith (neck) to play again this season, he has "no idea" when it will happen, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith has been sidelined for more than a month with a lingering neck issue. He has been hitting and throwing but seems unable to get over the hump with the injury, as there's no timeline for when he will be ready for a rehab assignment. The Dodgers will enter the second half with an 11.5-game lead in the National League West, so they can afford to take their time with Smith.

Acuna (hamstring) belted a grand slam and drew a pair of walks in Thursday's rehab game in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

It was the third rehab contest for Acuna, who went 0-for-6 in his first two games. He has yet to play the outfield, as Atlanta is bringing Acuna along slowly as he works his way back from his second injured-list stint this season caused by a left hamstring strain. If Acuna is activated for the beginning of the second half, Atlanta could initially use him only at DH.

The Reds have agreed to terms with Burns on a seven-year, $105 million contract extension, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The deal will begin in 2027 and run through 2033 and is a major-league record for a pitcher with less than four years of service time. Burns made his first All-Star team in 2026, carrying a 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 118:37 K:BB over 102.2 frames across 18 starts into the break. The right-hander boasts a 30.8 percent strikeout rate in 31 career appearances (26 starts) at the big-league level.

Hughes will start Friday's game versus the Reds in Colorado, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Hughes pitched well in his first major-league start last week, striking out seven while limiting the Dodgers to three runs across six innings. That showing has earned Hughes at least one additional start, though he should be avoided for fantasy purposes with the outing against the Reds coming at Coors Field.

Sugano (back) is expected to rejoin the Rockies' rotation with a start Saturday against the Reds, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Sugano has missed the last two weeks of action with back spasms. He has not made any rehab starts, but the Rockies appear ready to re-insert the right-hander into their rotation this weekend. With a lack of rehab outings, Sugano's pitch count could be relatively limited Saturday versus Cincinnati.

The Giants outrighted Cerantola to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Cerantola was a waiver claim of the Giants earlier this month. He is no longer on the 40-man roster but remains in the organization as relief depth. Cerantola has given up six runs with a 7:10 K:BB over 5.1 frames at the big-league level this season.

The Brewers transferred Zastryzny (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Milwaukee needed to free up a spot on its 40-man roster following the acquisitions of Lance McCullers (shoulder) and Colton Gordon from the Astros. The transaction does not alter Zastryzny's timeline, as he's been out all season with shoulder and intercostal injuries. Zastryzny has made three appearances after resuming his rehab assignment earlier this month, but it's unclear when or if he will return to the Brewers' active roster.

Clarke (arm) began a rehab assignment at the rookie-level Florida Complex League on July 11, striking out two in 1.2 scoreless innings.

Clarke was finally cleared to pitch in games after undergoing surgery in January to address an aneurysm in his left arm. The left-hander was acquired from the Red Sox over the offseason in the Sonny Gray trade and should eventually be assigned to High-A Peoria.

Davis (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list and promoted from Double-A Springfield to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Davis missed one month of action with an undisclosed injury and had played six rehab games. The 24-year-old has slashed .231/.359/.446 with eight home runs, nine stolen bases and a 26:38 BB:K over 37 games this season during his time with Springfield. The 2023 first-round pick will be getting his first taste of the Pacific Coast League.

Blewett has exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Cardinals, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals now have the choice of either adding him to their 40-man roster or letting him depart as a free agent. Blewett has spent the entire season at Triple-A Memphis, holding a 5.18 ERA and 63:19 K:BB over 48.2 innings.