MLB Player News

Ashcraft (13-5) came away with the win against the Tigers on Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits while striking out four across eight innings. He did not issue a walk.

Ashcraft set the tone Tuesday by retiring the first 10 batters he faced. He gave up a solo homer to Brett Callahan in the fifth, but that was the only blemish to Ashcraft's excellent night, with the latter tossing only 80 pitches (61 strikes) through eight innings while generating seven whiffs and 12 groundouts. It was a spectacular encore to his complete game this past Thursday against the Marlins, and Ashcraft sits at a 3.68 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 149.1 innings this season. He's lined up to face the Padres on the road next week in what projects to be a two-start week for the 27-year-old right-hander.

Smith-Shawver is expected to remain in the Atlanta rotation beyond Wednesday's start against Minnesota, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Smith-Shawver has been limited to one major-league start so far this season, as he missed extended time at the start of the campaign while completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. However, he will return to a big-league mound Wednesday, and Atlanta will move to a six-man rotation for the time being to accommodate the 23-year-old right-hander. Smith-Shawver had been pitching brilliantly for Triple-A prior to his promotion Tuesday, allowing just two earned runs with a 23:6 K:BB over his last 19.1 innings spanning four starts for Gwinnett.

Ohtani (knee) threw a scheduled bullpen session Tuesday, which appeared to go well, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani threw another bullpen following his last session Friday. The 32-year-old said Friday that his left knee did not bother him during that day's activity, and he gave manager Dave Roberts a thumbs-up following his session Tuesday. Considering his recent progress, facing live hitters may be on the horizon.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Tuesday that Diaz's placement on the 15-day injured list is due to neck inflammation, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Diaz will head back to Los Angeles to undergo further tests for his neck issue Wednesday, and the initial expectation is that the right-hander will return this season, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Diaz saw his fastball velocity bottom out at 93 mph during Monday's outing against the Rockies, when he allowed three runs on four hits in one inning. Tanner Scott figures to serve as the Dodgers' preferred closer for as long as Diaz is sidelined.

Soderstrom will undergo season-ending hip surgery Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Soderstrom landed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a left hip impingement, after after further consultations and tests, season-ending surgery has been determined to be the best course of action for the 24-year-old. He'll finish the 2026 season with a .245/.338/.472 slash line with two steals, 19 home runs, 56 RBI and 58 runs scored across 453 plate appearances. The Athletics will turn to the likes of Carlos Cortes, Jonah Heim, Zack Gelof and others to serve as the team's designated hitter for the rest of the season in Soderstrom's absence.

Gonzales is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

Gonzales went 1-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run Monday after missing the previous two contests due to a facial contusion, which he sustained Friday on a hit-by-pitch. The 27-year-old will head to the bench Tuesday while Jared Triolo picks up a start at the hot corner while batting ninth.

Gil (shoulder) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Gil went down in late April with shoulder inflammation and started a rehab assignment with High-A Hudson Valley last Tuesday. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said the plan is for Gil to work as a relief pitcher for the foreseeable future, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports. In Gil's two appearances during his rehab assignment with High-A Hudson Valley, he allowed no runs on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts through three innings.

The Cubs are expected to activate Palencia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list in the coming days, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The Cubs haven't committed to an exact date for Palencia to return from the IL, but manager Craig Counsell told reporters Tuesday the 26-year-old right-hander will be activated "soon." A right flexor strain has sidelined Palencia since mid-June, but he won't have a defined role upon his return, per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com. It appears that, for now, the Cubs prefer keeping Jacob Webb as the main closer, with Palencia getting some work in high-leverage situations.

Leiter (ankle) said Tuesday that he will make at least one more rehab start this week before potentially coming off the 60-day injured list, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

The 26-year-old made his first rehab appearance Thursday with Triple-A Round Rock and threw 48 pitches over 2.2 scoreless innings. Jacob deGrom (triceps) remains in the mix to start Thursday for the Rangers, so Leiter looks like he won't be needed for that game and will get a chance to build up his workload over one more appearance in the minors before potentially rejoining the Texas rotation next week.

Yesavage (knee) resumed throwing from flat ground Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's a positive step in Yesavage's recovery from a meniscus injury that he underwent surgery for last week. There's a chance that the 23-year-old returns toward the tail end of the 2026 season, though that will ultimately depend on how he responds to an increased workload as he progresses in his rehab program. Yesavage posted a 5-5 record across 18 starts prior to his recent knee injury, boasting a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 91:46 K:BB over 93.2 innings.