MLB Player News

Johnson didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Twins, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out one.

The 23-year-old righty served up another homer, this one a two-run shot by Royce Lewis in the second inning, but Johnson was taken off the hook for the loss when the Angels tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh. Johnson has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four straight outings, posting a 4.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 20 innings, but even that shaky ERA hides five unearned runs. With Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) potentially back by the end of July, Johnson's may not last long in the big-league rotation following the All-Star break.

Taylor recorded his fourth save of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win over the A's, walking one and striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.

The 24-year-old right-hander closed out the combined shutout, needing 22 pitches (14 strikes) to produce the final five outs. Taylor has collected two of Chicago's three saves in July, with the third going to southpaw Sean Newcomb, and the duo could handle the closing duties for the White Sox the rest of the way unless the club picks up a late-inning arm at the trade deadline. On the season, Taylor sports a 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 67:17 K:BB through 48.1 innings.

Dubon went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-1 loss to St. Louis.

Dubon got Atlanta on the board with a seventh-inning homer, but that was the team's lone run of the game. That long ball was his 10th of the campaign, which matches his career high from 2023 with the Astros. He has continued to hit well in July, going 12-for-42 (.286) with two homers and eight RBI over 11 contests this month. For the season, the utility man is batting .269 with a .749 OPS over 90 games.

Gore will serve as the Rangers' starting pitcher against Houston on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gore last pitched Wednesday against the Angels, so he'll be working on only three days of rest. Texas manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Gore approached him and offered to take the mound in what was otherwise looking like it might be a bullpen game for the team. Gore tossed 90 pitches in his previous start, so he may have his workload monitored Sunday in the Rangers' final contest before the All-Star break. Given that Texas will then have four days off, Gore's start Sunday won't necessarily impact his usual slotting in the rotation.

Lopez (4-2) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to take the loss versus St. Louis on Saturday.

Lopez fell behind early after giving up a three-run home run to Lars Nootbaar in the first inning. Atlanta's offense never mounted much of a threat, leaving Lopez to take his first loss since April 21, which was the start that sent him to the bullpen for two months. He's allowed seven runs over 18 innings with a 15:4 K:BB over four starts since rejoining the rotation. Overall, Lopez has a 3.50 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 54:25 K:BB across 61.2 innings through 22 appearances (nine starts) this season.

Brubaker secured the save Saturday against Colorado, allowing a solo home run and no walks in two innings. He struck out two.

Caleb Kilian blew the save in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Rockies and also worked each of the past two days for the Giants, so the club called upon Brubaker for his first save chance of the year Saturday. San Francisco has struggled for stability at closer largely due to Ryan Walker's season-long ineffectiveness, leaving the door open for Brubaker to see more high-leverage work. He's taken advantage of those chances with a 2.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33:20 K:BB with three holds over 47 innings.

Fedde (5-6) picked up the win in Saturday's 1-0 victory over the A's, allowing two hits and one walk over four scoreless innings of relief. He struck out three.

Entering the game to begin the third inning after opener Bryan Hudson and Chris Murphy had worked a frame each, Fedde kept the combined shutout going over 55 pitches (33 strikes). The veteran right-hander has found success in a sheltered bulk-relief role, and since the beginning of June has delivered a 2.27 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB through 35.2 innings over eight outings.

Bradish (6-9) earned the win over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 6.2 innings.

Bradish retired the side in order in five of his first six frames and carried a no-hitter into the seventh. He finally wilted a bit in that inning, as the Royals tallied two singles and a walk to score a run and force his exit with two outs. Nonetheless, Bradish snapped a two-game losing streak and picked up his second straight quality start (and his fourth over his past five outings). The right-hander will carry a 6-9 record into the All-Star break, but his other stats suggest he's pitched better than that, as he has a 3.61 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 106:50 K:BB across 107.1 innings spanning 19 starts.

Mahle (2-8) earned the win Saturday against the Rockies, allowing one run on five hits and three walks in seven innings. He struck out four.

Facing a soft matchup at home against the last-place Rockies, Mahle delivered one of his finest outings of the campaign Saturday. The 31-year-old right-hander matched a season high in innings during his second quality start of 2026, emptying the tank for a season-most 104 pitches. Despite Saturday's gem, Mahle still has a lackluster 5.31 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 73:32 K:BB over 78 innings ahead of the All-Star break.

Nootbaar went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run, a walk and a second run scored in Saturday's 4-1 win over Atlanta.

Nootbaar's first-inning blast gave the Cardinals all the offense they needed in this contest. The outfielder had gone a month between homers, batting .269 with a .687 OPS during his 24-game power drought. For the season, Nootbaar is hitting .265 with a .781 OPS, three homers, 12 RBI, 15 runs scored, one steal, six doubles and one triple over 31 contests. He is filling a strong-side platoon role in left field.