MLB Player News

ESPN’s Jeff Passan says the deal is worth $12 million. Kay, 30, is returning to the U.S. after two seasons with the Yokohama BayStars. He was one of Japan’s best pitchers last season, finishing with a 1.74 ERA and a 130/41 K/BB in 155 innings. The White Sox will likely include him in their rotation, but the modest deal suggests most teams still didn’t believe in him as a starter.

Springer has hit in seven straight games, and he’s at .303 with four homers, 15 RBI and just eight strikeouts in 17 games since coming off the injured list last month. With the way he’s bounced back, he should net the Jays a significant prospect if, as a 10-and-five player, he’s willing to accept a trade.

A strong trade candidate, Gausman got a big ovation from the Toronto crowd as he walked off the field for what could be his final start for the Jays. But, then, even if he is traded, it’s easy to imagine the Blue Jays looking to bring him back in free agency this winter. The win made Gausman 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA. He’ll likely pitch in Philly on Friday if he stays put.

Mathews allowed six hits, walked three and struck out three, which doesn’t sound great. However, he allowed just four hard-hit balls, and he finished with 12 whiffs and a solid 29 percent CSW. He was likely to stay in the rotation no matter how today went, but it was definitely a decent enough first effort. Since he’s lined up for a home start against the Rockies, he’s a fair streaming option next week.

The Cardinals had eight of the game’s nine hardest-hit balls today, with Burleson chiming in with a 107.3-mph single, and did outhit the Blue Jays 11-9, but they still lost 5-1. The team just hasn’t been able to homer since Jordan Walker’s binge during the Derby. They have only six in 16 games since, with JJ Wetherholt hitting half of those.

Miller should begin pitching in official games soon. At 35, he’s trying to pull off a quick return from October surgery to repair his UCL. The Cubs signed him to a two-year, $2.5 million deal in February.

Thomas was just claimed off waivers from the Braves on Thursday. He loses his 40-man roster spot to Ben Bowden, and he’ll have the option to become a free agent if he clears waivers.

Huff accepted the assignment, so he might return at some point if the Orioles keep struggling to keep their catchers healthy.

Musgrove is now nearly 22 months removed from Tommy John surgery and hopefully has finally turned the corner.

“This is the best I’ve felt in a long time,” he said. Musgrove won’t be back until around Sept. 1 in a best-case scenario, so he probably doesn’t need to be stashed in mixed leagues just yet.

Ritchie had been scheduled to start for Triple-A Gwinnett tonight, but he was scratched. With Sunday’s scheduled starter, Martín Pérez, instead pitching tonight, Ritchie tomorrow seems like the obvious move.

France was just released by the Astros. He was a big help to Houston in 2023, when he went 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA, but he injured his shoulder afterwards and has pitched just 10 times in the majors since the beginning of 2024. He had a 3.72 ERA and a 39/25 K/BB in 36 1/3 innings while working as a reliever for Triple-A Round Rock this season.