MLB Player News

Thornton (5-4) worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win in Thursday's 3-2, extra-innings victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out one.

Thornton was the last of five Chicago pitchers to take the mound Thursday, working the top of the 11th inning in a 2-2 tie. The righty picked up the win when Pete Crow-Armstrong stole third base in the bottom of the 11th, then came around to score on a throwing error. Thornton has been solid this year with a 2.78 ERA across 35.2 innings, but he's in a crowded back-end mix that features Jacob Webb and the newly acquired Ryan Zeferjahn. Daniel Palencia (elbow) should also be back from the injured list in the near future.

Wilcox left Thursday's game versus the Tigers due to left oblique tightness.

Wilcox came on in relief with one out in the top of the seventh. He didn't inherit any runners, but he gave up three earned runs on a home run after allowing two singles. He was able to end the inning himself. With left oblique tightness, it can be expected that the right-hander will land on the injured list.

Clevinger was released by the Pirates on Thursday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After turning in a 4.74 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 24.2 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, Clevinger elected to activate his release clause and will now seek out another opportunity in the open market. The 35-year-old has made just 12 appearances in the big leagues since 2024 and is unlikely to attract more than a minor-league deal at this stage in his career.

Mlodzinski will start Friday's game against the Mets, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Mlodzinski is getting another opportunity to start for the Pirates after Mitch Keller (arm) went down with a season-ending injury. Although each of Mlodzinski's last 14 appearances have come in relief, he has covered multiple innings in all of those outings, including going three shutout frames in each of his last two trips to the hill. He threw 47 pitches in his last appearance Aug. 1, so Mlodzinski should be handle around 60 pitches Friday.

Natera secured the save against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

The departure of Kirby Yates to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline has since opened up more ninth-inning work for the Angels. Natera appears to be firmly in the mix alongside Ben Joyce, having been scored upon just one time in his past 11 outings while tallying multiple punchouts on eight occasions during that span. The southpaw is now 2-for-2 in save opportunities, boasting a 2.16 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB with four holds across 25 innings.

Hernandez re-signed Tuesday with Atlanta on a minor-league contract.

Hernandez elected free agency earlier in the week after being removed from Atlanta's 40-man roster and clearing waivers, but he quickly found his way back to the organization. The right-hander saw his first big-league action since 2024 back in July, making two appearances out of the Atlanta bullpen and giving up one earned run across six innings.

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

The Reds had to turn elsewhere in Thursday's save situation -- closer Emilio Pagan was likely unavailable after working each of the past two days. Burke, who has operated primarily as a setup man, was called upon and needed every bit of the 6-3 lead he was granted, serving up a two-run shot to Brian Serven before closing it out. The southpaw is now 2-for-2 in save chances this season, holding a 2.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 51:31 K:BB with 13 holds over 56 innings.

Barnett (1-2) took the loss against the Reds on Thursday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Barnett was inefficient Thursday, landing just 47 of his 82 pitches for strikes, and he served up a staggering three home runs in hitter-friendly Cincinnati. The right-hander did fan a season-high seven for a positive note, but he'll need to do a better job of keeping the ball in the yard if he wants to remain in the Athletics' rotation. Barnett appears close to being able to handle a traditional starter's workload, but his 5.56 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB over 34 innings may not leave him with much streaming appeal against the Rays his next time out.

The Reds released Daniel on July 29.

Daniel made three appearances in the big leagues with Atlanta in 2025, but after signing a minor-league contract with the Reds in January, he's pitched exclusively at Triple-A Louisville during the current season. The Reds elected to move on from the 29-year-old righty after he submitted a 4.71 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 93:38 K:BB in 93.2 innings over his 19 appearances (18 starts).

The Royals claimed Little off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Omaha.

Little lost his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster in the flurry of moves following Monday's trade deadline, but he'll reclaim a roster spot upon joining the Royals organization. He'll begin his tenure with the team at Triple-A, where he's logged a 5.70 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 23.2 innings.