MLB Player News

The Reds signed Fletcher to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Fletcher has been assigned to Triple-A Louisville. The 29-year-old has spent most of the 2026 campaign in the Pirates' organization, where he slashed .301/.386/.485 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 42 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 26:34 BB:K across 237 plate appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis before being released last month.

Rocker will pitch in bulk relief behind opener Trevor Williams during Friday's game against the Rays, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Rocker has appeared in 26 games this season, 24 of which have been as a traditional starter. He's followed an opener twice and has experienced success in that capacity, going a season-high 7.2 innings against the Rockies at Coors Field back in May before covering five innings at Miami in June. In total, the right-hander has allowed just two runs on eight hits and three walks with 15 strikeouts across those 12.2 frames.

Williams will serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher ahead of Kumar Rocker during Friday's game against the Rays.

Williams inked a major-league deal with Texas on Tuesday after he was cut by the Nationals last weekend. The right-hander worked in bulk relief with Washington and threw a season-high 63 pitches on two occasions across eight total appearances. Rocker has worked behind an opener twice this season, allowing just two runs on eight hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts across 12.2 innings.

Alcantara (13-9) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out two.

Kansas City made its mark in the third and fifth innings, bringing across a pair of runs in each frame to cost Alcantara a quality start. The workhorse right-hander continues to deliver plenty of length for the Marlins, pitching at least six innings in 12 consecutive starts. He'll take a steady 3.54 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 142:51 K:BB over an MLB-high 195.2 frames into his next scheduled outing versus the division-rival Mets.

Wacha (9-8) notched the win against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

The veteran right-hander continued his reliable ways Thursday, logging his third straight quality start and seventh in his last nine. Wacha has been a stabilizing presence in Kansas City's banged-up rotation, surrendering more than four earned runs on just three occasions in 28 starts. He'll carry a solid 3.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 143:44 K:BB over 176.2 innings into his next scheduled outing versus Arizona.

Chapman secured the save Thursday against Baltimore, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

The Orioles made things very interesting after Christian Encarnacion-Strand launched a two-run home run, but Chapman hung on for the save in a shaky outing. It was the first time the All-Star closer conceded multiple earned runs since being unable to record an out June 22 in Colorado. He has a 2.12 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 62:20 K:BB and 31 saves in 33 chances over 46.2 innings this year.

Rutschman went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and an additional run scored in Thursday's 6-5 win over Baltimore.

Returning to Camden Yards for the first time since being traded to Boston, Rutschman recorded his first multi-homer game as a member of the Red Sox and second of 2026. The switch-hitting backstop also returned to the starting lineup after missing each of Boston's previous three contests due to a nagging elbow injury, looking no worse for wear in the process. Through 63 trips to the plate with his new team, Rutschman is still slashing just .193/.270/.368 with three long balls, one double, six RBI and eight runs scored.

Young took a no-decision against the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander was one out away from a second consecutive seven-inning start, but Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled on a groundball to tie up the game and send Young to the dugout. Young has been a dependable back-end rotation piece for the Orioles throughout 2026, yielding more than three earned runs just four times in 24 starts. He'll bring a 3.42 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 110:48 K:BB over 137 innings into his next scheduled outing versus Cleveland.

Bennett took a no-decision against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

After serving up back-to-back solo home runs to begin the fourth inning, Bennett responded by retiring the final nine batters he faced Thursday. Despite getting a quick hook -- the 68 pitches were his second fewest of 2026 -- the southpaw went deep enough for his third consecutive quality start. He's set to take a strong 3.34 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 81:18 K:BB over 99.2 innings into a favorable home matchup versus the Angels.

Stowers exited Thursday's contest against the Royals with left hamstring tightness, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stowers was hit by a pitch in the foot during top of the seventh frame, but it was ultimately hamstring discomfort that resulted in him being removed in the eighth inning. The 28-year-old will likely undergo additional imaging and should have his status updated in the near future. It's worth noting that a strain of the same hamstring put Stowers on the injured list for a couple weeks in August.