MLB Player News

Soto was removed from Thursday night's game against the Phillies in the eighth inning due to left calf soreness, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Tyrone Taylor replaced Soto in left field. Soto dealt with a calf issue that landed him on the injured list earlier in the season, but this soreness is in the other calf, and the Mets don't view this as the sort of injury that will land him on the IL again. Interim manager Andy Green said Thursday that Soto is expected to play this weekend following Friday's team off day. Prior to being removed, Soto went 1-for-1 at the plate with three walks.

Nola (3-7) took the loss Thursday against the Mets, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Nola delivered a quality start but struggled mightily to keep the ball in the yard, serving up three home runs Thursday. The 33-year-old right-hander has had a hard time finding his footing in 2026, having logged only a pair of quality starts since the beginning of June (eight outings) while giving up multiple runs in all but two of his 20 appearances overall. Things are unlikely to get any easier for Nola, who has a 5.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 108:35 K:BB over 103 innings, in his next scheduled start against the Dodgers.

The Orioles recalled Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand will fill the 26-man roster spot vacated by Blaze Alexander, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a broken left hand. Acquired from the Reds back in April, Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .273/.309/.555 with 17 homers, 48 RBI, 35 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 12:77 BB:K across 257 plate appearances with Norfolk this season. He mostly played first base during his time with Cincinnati the previous three campaigns but has seen more action at the hot corner this year at Triple-A.

The Orioles placed Alexander on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a fractured left hand, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The move is retroactive to July 13, as Alexander suffered the injury in Sunday's game against the Royals when he was hit by a pitch in the hand. He's likely looking at more than the minimum stay on the injured list. Alexander is enjoying a career year in his first season with Baltimore, slashing .312/.368/.439 with four homers, 29 RBI, 31 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 16:54 BB:K across 246 plate appearances. Alexander has become the Orioles' everyday third baseman. Coby Mayo, Jeremiah Jackson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand could all see extra playing time with Alexander sidelined.

Jones cleared waivers Thursday and elected free agency, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 28-year-old utility man was dropped from the Brewers' 40-man roster Sunday to make room for Braden Shewmake. Jones has gone just 2-for-23 with 10 strikeouts in 12 big-league contests this season and will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal in order to land his next opportunity.

Ryan is not listed among the Twins' probable pitchers for this weekend's series against the Cubs, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ryan made his last start of the first half Saturday and then threw a scoreless frame during the All-Star Game. The Twins will give him a little extra rest before his first outing of the second half, which will likely come Monday in Cleveland. Ryan logged a 2.85 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 128:25 K:BB over 110.1 innings covering 20 first-half starts.

Ohtani (knee) is not listed among the Dodgers' scheduled starting pitchers for this weekend's series against the Yankees, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani has not started a game on the mound in two weeks as he deals with a nagging left knee issue. He had the knee drained Sunday and was expected to receive an injection in the knee over the All-Star break, as well. The Dodgers haven't revealed when Ohtani's first start of the second half as a pitcher will be, but Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register speculates it could be next Wednesday in Philadelphia. Ohtani will be available to serve as a designated hitter this weekend versus the Yankees.

Bichette (leg/ankle) will start at third base and bat third Thursday against the Phillies.

Bichette got a break from starting during the Mets' final series of the first half, giving him a chance to recover from general leg and ankle soreness. After getting three additional days off thanks to the All-Star break, the 28-year-old is now ready to return to the starting nine. With just a .676 OPS through 96 games, Bichette is on track for one of the worst seasons of his career. However, since the beginning of June, he's turned things around with a .315/.342/.490 slash line over 155 plate appearances.

The Phillies recalled Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

With Brad Keller surely out for the season after being diagnosed with a UCL tear, Johnson will come up from the minors to replenish the Phillies' bullpen depth. The 27-year-old owns an 8.20 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 26.1 innings in his MLB career and hasn't been much better in the big leagues this year, conceding nine earned runs in just 11.1 frames. He'll likely be limited to a low-leverage relief role.

Crawford (knee) will start in center field and bat ninth in Thursday's game versus the Mets.

Crawford missed the final three games of the first half while dealing with left knee soreness, but he's ready to go after getting some additional rest over the All-Star break. The rookie outfielder sports a .263/.312/.353 batting line with two home runs and 12 stolen bases this season.