MLB Player News

Jansen struck out two in a clean ninth inning to notch the save Monday against the Pirates.

Jansen made quick work of the Pittsburgh bats, dropping seven of his eight pitches into the strike zone Monday. The veteran right-hander is eight saves away from joining the prestigious 500-save club, so he's firmly within striking distance to accomplish that feat in 2026 if he stays healthy the rest of the way. Jansen, who last blew a save May 24 in Baltimore, has a 3.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:20 K:BB with 16 saves (20 chances) over 33.2 innings.

Cruz threw a clean ninth inning to secure the save Monday against the Athletics.

Cruz continues to establish himself as Kansas City's favorite for saves. The right-hander has successfully converted each of his last five save chances, with each coming since July 22, and he's been scored upon just five times in his last 24 outings. Cruz, who has a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB over 46.1 innings, should serve as the Royals' closer while the club continues to wait and see if Carlos Estevez (shoulder) will return this season.

Valdez (8-8) earned the win against the Pirates on Monday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Valdez was cruising along over four scoreless innings initially, but Pittsburgh got to him for four of his five runs allowed in the sixth inning. The left-hander continues to put forth an up-and-down debut season with the Tigers, conceding four earned runs in back-to-back outings to follow up a pair of quality starts to begin August. Valdez is set to bring a 4.35 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 111:54 K:BB over 138.2 innings into a soft matchup against the lowly Royals in Kansas City.

Mlodzinski (6-6) took the loss against the Tigers on Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out three.

The Tigers pounced on Mlodzinski right away, tagging the right-hander for each of his four runs allowed in the first two innings. He's fared poorly since returning to Pittsburgh's rotation, giving up at least four runs while working three innings or fewer in three consecutive starts. Provided he keeps his rotation spot, Mlodzinski won't be a recommended fantasy streamer against the Dodgers his next time out. He has a career-worst 4.03 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 81:36 K:BB over 102.2 innings.

Barnett (1-4) took the loss against the Royals on Monday, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

Barnett struggled mightily Monday, landing only 45 of his 83 pitches for strikes in a laborious outing. The right-hander isn't making a strong case to maintain his rotation spot once Jeffrey Springs (hip) returns from the injured list, surrendering three runs or more in four consecutive appearances while failing to log a quality start during that span. Through 40.2 innings, Barnett has a poor 7.08 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 38:24 K:BB.

Wacha (6-8) earned the win against the Athletics on Monday, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out three.

Wacha had trouble keeping the ball in the yard Monday, serving up a season-high-tying three home runs. The veteran right-hander remains a mostly dependable member of Kansas City's rotation, pitching at least five innings in all but one of his 25 starts on the year while giving up more than four runs just three times. Wacha will bring a steady 3.58 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 120:41 K:BB over 155.2 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Tigers.

Bratt (1-2) was tagged with the loss against the Red Sox on Monday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over three innings. He did not record a strikeout.

Bratt was far from the worst pitcher for the Diamondbacks on Monday, with Zack Littell yielding eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits across 3.2 innings. Still, Bratt ran up his pitch count to 65 (37 strikes) through three frames while generating only one whiff. It was the second time this season that the 23-year-old southpaw failed to record a strikeout, and he now sports a 4.17 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 36.2 innings. Bratt is lined up to start against the Reds at home this weekend.

Rafaela went 3-for-5 with three doubles, one RBI and two runs scored during Bostons' 11-1 win over Arizona on Monday.

Rafaela set a career high with three doubles in Monday's blowout win, and it was high ninth three-hit game of the year. The 25-year-old center fielder has stepped up his production this year, which earned him a spot on the American League roster for the All-Star Game. Rafaela is slashing .288/.325/.470 with 16 steals (in 23 attempts), 16 home runs and 64 RBI over 503 plate appearances this season, and his 32 doubles are tied with Alec Burleson for most in the majors.

Gibson will serve as the Marlins' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Gibson will take the ball for the first inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. Tuesday had been Tyler Phillips' turn in the rotation, so he'll most likely be called upon to pitch in bulk relief behind Gibson.

Durbin went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, two runs scored and a steal during the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Monday marked the seventh time this season (and fifth time since the All-Star break) that Durbin recorded at least three hits in a game. The 26-year-old third baseman has been on a tear at the plate since the break, slashing .330/.411/.446 with five steals, three home runs, 22 RBI and a 12:17 BB:K over 131 plate appearances.