MLB Player News

Thompson hasn’t officially announced his retirement from professional baseball. However, he’ll pick up the pigskin at South Alabama as a walk-on in the coming weeks during their offseason workouts and spring practices. The athletic soon-to-be 27-year-old former first-round pick was a standout quarterback at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama prior to being selected 26th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Rangers. If his baseball career is finished, he’ll end with an underwhelming .232/.273/.295 triple-slash line with one homer and 27 stolen bases in 109 games between the Rangers and Reds from 2022-2024.

The Astros lost both Peña and Christian Walker (hip) to injury during Saturday’s game. The shortstop will likely undergo more evaluation, but if it’s just cramping, there’s a good chance he’s back in the lineup relatively soon, even if he misses Sunday’s finale against Baltimore.

Turner’s home run was his 12th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Sean Manaea in the fifth inning. Turner also had two singles and a walk, bringing his times on base total to four. His home run was his third in 12 games in July. Turner is hitting .241 with a .663 OPS and 35 RBI.

Schwarber’s home run was his 33rd of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Sean Manaea in the first inning. Schwarber now has three home runs in 13 games in July. He’s hitting .255 with a .935 OPS and 61 RBI.

Manaea gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out seven. He fell to 2-5 with the loss. Manaea ran into trouble immediately, allowing a single to Trea Turner and a two-run home run to Kyle Schwarber before recording his first out. It didn’t get much better from there as Manaea allowed another home run, this one to Turner in the fifth inning. In seven starts since moving into the rotation, he has a 4.48 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. Manaea is lined up to face the Dodgers at home next weekend.

Luzardo gave up two hits, walked two and struck out seven. He improved to 9-4 with the win. Luzardo had a 7.94 ERA in his first four starts of the season, but has since posted a 2.34 ERA in 92 2/3 innings over his last 16 starts. He has a 3.43 ERA and 2.90 xFIP on the season. Luzardo is lined up to face the Yankees at home next weekend.

Valdez missed a little under a week while dealing with things more important than baseball. He’s scheduled to start early next week against the Cubs.

There was a time that Brieske was a pretty key cog to the Detroit bullpen, but his struggles have made him nothing more than an up-and-down arm. He’s down this time, with Framber Valdez taken of the bereavement list in the corresponding move.

Bieber’s velocity today wasn’t quite as good as in his final start before the break, but at 92.3 mph on average with his fastball, he was still better than in his first three outings back. He was able to generate 13 whiffs and finish with a 33 percent CSW while throwing only 80 pitches to get his 18 outs. If the velocity heads south again, Bieber probably won’t be helpful in mixed leagues. Right now, though, he’s looking good. He’ll get the Rays at home on Thursday.

Varland struck out one in earning his 20th save. He’s fanned a batter in 15 straight appearances. He needed just nine pitches to get through this one, so he’ll be good to go on Sunday.

Martin, who opened up 9-2 through 13 turns, is now winless in his last six starts, even though he’s pitched very well in three of those games. He allowed four hits, walked two and struck out five today. He’ll pitch at home against Houston next Friday.