MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.

The Astros ended up getting swept during their first series coming out of the All-Star break, but Alvarez did his part to keep the offense afloat. He contributed run-scoring doubles in all three contests of the series, boosting his American League-leading RBI total to 73. Alvarez is also pacing the AL in home runs (31) and ranks first among qualified hitters in batting average (.319), putting him in strong position to become the majors' first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

The Cubs announced July 5 that Miller (elbow) has resumed a throwing program in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Chicago isn't completely ruling Miller out from returning from the 60-day injured list in September, but his main focus is getting back to full health for the start of the 2027 campaign after undergoing surgery last October to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon. Back in February, Miller signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Cubs that includes a club option for 2028.

Manager Craig Counsell said July 8 that Harvey (triceps/shoulder) has resumed a throwing program at the Cubs' facility in Arizona, but the right-hander remains without a clear timeline for a return from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Harvey initially landed on the injured list April 12 due to right triceps inflammation, then suffered a setback in early May, when he was diagnosed with a stress reaction near his triceps and shoulder. After an extended shutdown period, the 31-year-old is beginning to ramp up again, but the Cubs are likely to ease him along cautiously in his throwing program. He's likely at least a month away from rejoining the Chicago bullpen, and a clearer target date probably won't be available until he heads out on a rehab assignment.

Naughton (elbow) announced his retirement from professional baseball Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Naughton suffered the third left elbow UCL injury of his career back in April and underwent surgery in June. The 29-year-old has decided against rehabbing with an intent to pitch again and instead will close the book on his baseball career. Naughton posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over parts of three major-league seasons.

Song went 3-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBI in a 19-2 victory against Kansas City on Sunday.

Song didn't start the game, but he was called upon to pinch hit for Luis Campusano with the Padres up 8-2 in the eighth inning. The rookie singled in that plate appearance, then doubled and singled in the ninth as San Diego put up 11 runs over the final two frames. Song is slashing a healthy .281/.361/.438 with a home run, seven RBI, eight runs, five stolen bases and a 4:3 BB:K through 12 contests in July, but he's been losing playing time of late -- he's started just twice over the Padres' past six contests.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Brown (neck) has begun to increase his activity and has taken part in workouts with plyometric balls, MLB.com reports.

Counsell added that Brown is considered "asymptomatic" as he recovers from a stress reaction with his neck, an injury that sent him to the shelf June 24. Though Brown has seemingly made decent progress after being shut down from activity for a few weeks, the Cubs want him to proceed conservatively with his rehab program. He's without an official timeline for a return from the 15-day injured list, and the Cubs likely won't be able to pinpoint a target date for Brown until he starts throwing off a mound and facing hitters.

Rengifo went 3-for-5 with a walk and three runs scored Sunday in a 19-2 rout of the Royals.

Rengifo was one of six Padres with multiple hits in the runaway win, recording his first three knocks since joining San Diego. The utility man hasn't gotten many opportunities since his contract was selected July 8 -- Sunday was his first start and just his second appearance since that date. Despite some past success in the majors that includes a pair of double-digit homer seasons and a 24-theft campaign, Rengifo isn't likely to make waves in fantasy unless he begins to receive more playing time.

Silseth registered a hold against Detroit on Sunday, allowing one hit in one scoreless inning.

Silseth took the mound in the seventh frame with the Angels holding a 3-1 lead. The right-hander gave up a one-out single but was able to finish the inning without allowing any runs. Silseth began his MLB career as a starter, but he's logged all 43 of his appearances out of the bullpen this season. He frequently worked in high leverage early in the campaign, though Sunday's hold was his first since June 12 -- a span of 14 appearances. Silseth has been one of the team's better relivers overall, compiling a 2.95 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 45:20 K:BB across 36.2 innings.

Triple-A St. Paul placed Laweryson on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to an unspecified injury.

Before hitting the shelf, Laweryson had tossed 3.1 scoreless innings over three appearances for St. Paul after the Twins demoted him July 6. The right-hander has covered 16.2 innings over 15 outings at the big-league level this season, logging a 4.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while gathering one win, one save and two holds.

Vesia struck out all three batters he faced on 10 pitches in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

Vesia entered in the seventh inning and got the job done emphatically, striking out Ben Rice, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger -- all of whom have been in at least one All-Star Game -- on 10 pitches. Five of the lefty reliever's 10 strikes were whiffs, and the only ball he threw was on an 0-2 slider to Goldschmidt. Vesia has been dominant despite a touch of wildness over his past 16 appearances, posting a 0.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB over 12 innings during that span. He's been Los Angeles' top setup man this year, leading the club with 16 holds while adding three saves, one win, a 2.14 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a 48:22 K:BB with no homers allowed across 33.2 frames spanning 44 outings.