MLB Player News

Smith (neck) took part in on-field batting practice Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

The BP session marks a significant milestone for Smith, who has been on the shelf for over two months due to a neck injury. The veteran backstop resumed baseball activities in late July and appears to be moving closer to kicking off a minor-league rehab assignment. If all goes well for Smith moving forward, he could rejoin the big-league club by the final week of August or first week of September.

Jobe (1-1) took the loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out four across 3.2 innings. He also hit two batters.

Jobe limited Chicago to one run through three innings, but the floodgates were opened in the fourth, when he gave up home runs to Tristan Peters and Munetaka Murakami before yielding a two-run triple to Braden Montgomery. Jobe is still shaking off the rust, as Friday's start was only his second since his return from Tommy John surgery. He's lined up to face the Pirates on the road next week.

King (8-8) earned the win over Cleveland on Friday, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out four across six innings.

King fell into an early hole, allowing three runs across the first three innings, including solo homers to Nathaniel Lowe and Brayan Rocchio. San Diego's offense eventually erased the deficit, and King settled down enough to complete six frames and earn his second consecutive win. The right-hander allowed only one additional run over his final three innings, limiting the damage despite giving up a season-high eight hits. King's ERA now sits at 3.41 and he is scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Mets.

Fisher will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Fisher has thrown nine consecutive scoreless innings since the beginning of August, and the Blue Jays will now trust him to start for the eighth time this season. He'll likely remain in the game for an inning or two before turning the ball over to the bullpen.

Grisham went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during the Yankees' 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

Gerrit Cole and Shane Bieber were locked in a pitchers' duel Friday, but Grisham was responsible for the game's first run with a 359-foot solo homer in the sixth inning. Grisham has been white hot at the plate as of late, having gone 10-for-21 with four home runs, eight RBI and three doubles over his last five games. He's up to a .740 OPS with seven steals, 16 home runs and 51 RBI across 407 plate appearances this season.

Sulser (back) faced hitters Friday, per MLB.com.

Sulser is slated for another session Monday and will then be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment, provided all goes well. The right-hander is working his way back from lower-back spasms, which forced him to the injured list in late July, and he should be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's bullpen in late August.

Mesa was removed from Friday's game against the Orioles with left hamstring tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash said after the game that he doesn't believe Mesa is dealing with anything serious and can be considered day-to-day. If Mesa ends up having to sit out a game or two, Jonny DeLuca would figure to take over as Tampa Bay's right fielder.

Uceta (shoulder) is playing catch from 75 feet, per MLB.com.

Uceta continues to progress slowly from a right shoulder impingement and subsequent subscapularis strain. The right-hander's timeline for a return to the Rays remains murky at best, and he appears to be unlikely to be an option for Tampa Bay's bullpen until sometime in September with several hurdles still left to clear.

Alexander (hand) hit in the batting cage Friday, per MLB.com.

It's the first time Alexander has done so amid his recovery from a fractured left hand. The utility player has been on the injured list since mid-July, but he appears to be trending toward a return to the Orioles at some point in late August or early September.

Cole (6-6) was tagged for the loss against the Blue Jays on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five across six innings.

Cole and Shane Bieber kept Friday's game scoreless through five innings, and Cole was handed a 1-0 lead after a Trent Grisham solo homer in top of the sixth. However, Cole was tagged for two runs in the bottom of the frame, one of which was unearned due to a throwing error by Luis Garcia. Unfortunately for Cole, he did not receive enough run support from his Yankees teammates to avoid the loss, ending his win streak at three starts. He'll take a 3.22 ERA and 1.08 WHIP into his next start, which is lined up for next week on the road against the Orioles.