MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Rivera to Triple-A Worcester following Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Rivera drew the start in the second game of the twin bill but was unable to escape the first inning, coughing up four runs on three hits and two walks while recording two outs in 41 pitches. His demotion will free up a spot in the rotation that will likely be filled by Ranger Suarez (groin/illness) during Boston's upcoming series against Toronto. Until then, Alec Gamboa will remain with the big club to provide additional depth to the bullpen.

Pena went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Pena has turned up the power, going deep in three straight games against Miami. He's added six RBI and five runs scored in that span. Prior to this surge, the shortstop had gone 14 contests without a long ball. He's batting .302 with an .834 OPS, nine homers, 28 RBI, 42 runs scored, nine doubles and eight stolen bases over 56 contests while primarily serving as Houston's leadoff hitter when healthy.

Lee went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Lee hit his fifth home run of the season in the fourth inning against Chicago starter Colin Rea with two runners on, which helped break the game open for the Tigers. The 23-year-old has held his own during his rookie campaign with a .256 batting average and .685 OPS across 60 contests. However, the recent return of Gleyber Torres (oblique) from the injured list is likely to cut into Lee's playing time at second base.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Alvarez has hit safely in nine straight games, seven of which have been multi-hit efforts. He has gone 17-for-33 (.515) with five homers and 10 RBI in that span. The star slugger has been excellent throughout the campaign, batting .328 with a 1.089 OPS, 34 homers, 77 RBI, 69 runs scored, 20 doubles and one stolen base through 102 contests. If he stays healthy, he is tracking toward career-best marks in homers and RBI and should receive plenty of MVP buzz.

Cecconi (4-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Twins after throwing 4.2 innings. He gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five.

Cecconi continues to struggle in July after an efficient June where he yielded two runs or fewer in all five of his starts. The right-hander has now given up at least three runs in each of his June starts, which has raised his ERA to 7.43 during the month in 13.1 innings pitched. The three walks given up Wednesday are also his most since May 7. The 27-year-old is expected to start next week against the Reds.

Abreu struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Josh Hader had pitched in the first two games of the series versus Miami and was presumably rested Wednesday. Abreu got the job done well, throwing nine of 14 pitches for strikes to claim his sixth save this season. The veteran reliever has allowed two runs over seven innings with a 9:2 K:BB in July. Abreu hasn't logged a hold since the end of May, but he has collected three saves across 16 outings in that span. For the season, Abreu is at a 5.29 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 43:27 K:BB through 34 innings. At this time, it appears there's little chance of Abreu claiming a large share of high-leverage spots, though he's in the mix -- along with Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos -- for save chances when Hader's not available.

Torkelson went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Torkelson hit his 19th home run of the season in the second inning against Chicago starter Colin Rea. The slugging first baseman has now gone deep five times across his last 11 games as he continues to find his power stroke following a slow start to the season. Torkelson is seeking his second straight 30-homer campaign and third overall in his MLB career.

King took a no-decision Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing one run on five hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

The Atlanta bats brought a run across during the first inning, but King effectively shut them down the rest of the way. The seven punchouts were the right-hander's most since his May 18 start versus the Dodgers, and he's now fired at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in five of his past six outings. King will next carry a strong 3.24 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 103:49 K:BB over 119.1 innings into what shapes up as a soft home draw against the last-place Rockies.

Lambert allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision versus the Marlins on Wednesday.

Lambert has posted three straight quality starts, allowing four runs over 18 innings with a 20:6 K:BB in that span. He's been a little unlucky to take a no-decision in his last two outings, but he's still pitching well and has emerged as a reliable part of the Astros' rotation. The right-hander is now at a 3.03 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 94:38 K:BB through 98 innings over 17 starts this season. Lambert's next start is projected to be in a favorable road matchup versus the Angels.

Perez took a no-decision Wednesday against the Padres, allowing no runs on one hit and four walks in four innings. He struck out three.

Making his return from the 15-day injured list with a bruised forearm, Perez fared about as well as Atlanta could have hoped for Wednesday. The 35-year-old southpaw showed some signs of rust with a lack of control, matching a season high in walks, but he still turned in his first scoreless start since April 28 against Detroit. Perez will take a 3.38 ERA, his best mark since 2022 with Texas, 1.20 WHIP and a 65:36 K:BB over 85.1 innings into his next scheduled outing in New York against the last-place Mets.