Dane Dunning Traded to Atlanta
Dane Dunning was traded from the Texas Rangers to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in exchange for Jose Ruiz and cash, reports David O'Brien of The Athletic. It's unclear if he will be used as a starter or reliever. The 30-year-old has only appeared in five games at the major league level in 2025, and they were all relief appearances. However, the Braves have lost a lot of starting pitching depth this season, and Dunning was a reliable starter previously in his career. In 2024, 15 of his 26 appearances were starts, but he struggled to the tune of a 5.30 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 95 innings.Source: David O'Brien
Pitcher Paxton Schultz Starts Rehab Assignment
Paxton Schultz (finger) began a rehab assignment with the FCL Blue Jays on Thursday. He last pitched in a game on June 28 before landing on the injured list due to right middle finger inflammation. Compared to most injuries to a pitcher's throwing hand or arm, finger inflammation is a minor one, and he looks to be on pace to return by the end of the month. The 27-year-old could be activated as early as next week, as rehab assignments for relievers usually don't take as long. So far in 2025, he's posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 23 ⅔ innings.Source: MLB.com
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Shelby Miller Begins Throwing Program
Shelby Miller (forearm) began a throwing program on Thursday, reports Alex Weiner of AZ Sports. He last pitched in a game on July 5 before going on the injured list with a forearm strain. He was last reported to be getting a second opinion on his forearm and UCL, which usually isn't a good sign, but the results must have been positive if he was approved to begin throwing. The 34-year-old still likely is a ways away from returning, but this is a good first step in his recovery. He could once again see ninth inning work upon his return, as he totaled 10 saves in 2025 before the injury.Source: Alex Weiner
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Eugenio Suarez (hand) is expected to return to the lineup in the second-half opener, reports Alex Weiner of AZ Sports. He was hit by a pitch in the hand during the All-Star game and was obviously removed after for precautionary reasons, but he seems to have avoided a major injury. It's been officially ruled a hand contusion, and the slugger will look to keep up his massive home run pace in the second half. The 33-year-old is fourth in the majors with 31 home runs, making him one of the most valuable players in fantasy so far.Source: Alex Weiner
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mitch Keller on Yankees' Radar
Mitch Keller is known to have multiple teams pursuing him in advance of the July 31 trade deadline. Add the New York Yankees to the list of interested clubs, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. It's a logical fit: Keller could be among the top starters on the move in the next two weeks, and the injury-riddled Yankees are in the market for established rotation help. The 29-year-old has at least shown to be a competent innings-eater in recent seasons, including 2025. Despite a 3-10 record, he held his own in the first half of the season, tallying 14 quality starts with a 3.48 ERA (3.81 xERA), a 1.14 WHIP, and 92:27 K:BB over 119 frames. Keller is on a $15 million salary and in the second season of a five-year, $77 million contract. That's reasonable compensation for what Keller brings to the table, but he could prove too pricey for the Yankees if they're determined to limit luxury tax penalties.Source: Noah Hiles - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Hunter Brown Won't Pitch This Weekend
Hunter
Brown
is
not
part
of
the
Houston
Astros'
weekend
rotation
plans
for
their
road
series
against
the
division-rival
Seattle
Mariners.
They'll
go
with
left-hander
Brandon
Walter
on
Friday,read more...
All-Star
right-hander
Michael Massey to Begin Rehab Assignment Friday
Michael Massey (ankle, hand) to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday, the team announced. The Royals have gone over a month without Massey, who sprained his ankle June 7 and hasn't played since. Massey had been rehabbing the injury in the minors, but he suffered a hairline wrist fracture on a hit by pitch on June 29 and had to be shut down. Between the poor injury luck and his woeful numbers, this has been a season to forget for Massey. The 27-year-old has only managed to hit .202/.221/.258 with two home runs in 209 plate appearances, which is a key reason why the Royals rank toward the bottom of the majors in second base production.Source: Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals expect second baseman/outfielder Thomas Saggese Optioned to Triple-A
Thomas Saggese to Triple-A Memphis. The team hasn't made a corresponding move yet, though it could signal the return of outfielder Jordan Walker (appendectomy) from the 10-day injured list. The 23-year-old Saggese impressed in May with 14 hits and seven RBI in 41 at-bats, but his production has dropped off considerably since then. Dating back to June 20, Saggese has gone 6-for-45 (.133) with a double, three RBI, 12 strikeouts, and one walk in 14 games. Overall, Saggese has batted .233/.256/.326 with one home run and 10 RBI across 90 trips to the plate. He has been far more productive this year in Triple-A, where he owns a .317/.402/.445 line with five long balls, 24 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five stolen bases over 189 plate appearances.Source: Jeff Jones - Belleville News-Democrat
The St. Louis Cardinals have optioned infielder Jon Gray Could Rejoin Rangers After Next Rehab Start
Jon Gray (forearm) is expected to make one more rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday before returning to the majors late next week. It's not yet clear whether the Rangers will use Gray as a starter or reliever when he comes back. The 33-year-old has missed the entire season to this point after suffering a fractured forearm in spring training. Gray made 19 starts in 23 appearances last season and pitched to a 4.47 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 86:28 K:BB in 102 2/3 innings. While Gray has totaled just five career relief appearances out of 228, the Rangers could stick with their current rotation and ease him back into the mix via the bullpen. Gray has only combined for five frames in two rehab outings, so he may not be ready for a traditional starter's workload yet.Source: Jeff Wilson - Star Telegram
Texas Rangers right-hander Kyle Gibson Retiring From Baseball
Kyle Gibson has announced that he is retiring from professional baseball on Thursday. Most recently, Gibson pitched in Triple-A with the Tampa Bay Rays before opting out of his deal in mid-June. Gibson pitched well during his stint with the Rays, but he wasn't able to draw any interest from other organizations. Now, Gibson has decided to retire after 13 seasons in the big leagues. He won 112 games with a 4.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP over 334 appearances with five different organizations. Most notably, Gibson earned an All-Star nod during the 2021 season with the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. He posted a 3.71 ERA that season across 31 appearances. It was a good career for Gibson and best of luck to him on whatever is next in his life.Source: Jim Hayes
Free-agent starting pitcher Justin Foscue Recalled on Thursday
Justin Foscue was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. Foscue is back on the big league roster after being sent down on July 5 due to a lack of playing time. The assumption is that Foscue will be a platoon option at first base with Jake Burger (quad) still sidelined. Foscue is slashing .252/.344/.453 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI across 55 games in Triple-A this season. The former first-round pick hasn't been given much of a chance at the big league level. Hopefully, Foscue will get a chance to prove himself this time around.Source: Adam Morris
Texas Rangers infielder Ronaldo Hernandez Signs With Red Sox
Ronaldo Hernandez to a minor-league deal. This looks like a depth move for Boston after they recently traded Blake Sabol to the Chicago White Sox. Hernandez is slashing .221/.287/.351 with two home runs and 13 RBI across 25 games in Triple-A with the New York Yankees. Hernandez has shown good flashes as he hit over .300 across 63 games in the minors with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He figures to spend most of his time at Triple-A and possibly head to Boston as emergency depth.Source: Chris Cotillo
According to Chris Cotillo, the Boston Red Sox have signed catcher Josh Winckowski Begins Throwing
Josh Winckowski (elbow) is currently in the early stages of a throwing program, according to Chris Cotillo. Winckowski suffered a right flexor strain in Triple-A during mid-May. He has been sidelined since then, but is eligible to return from the injured list in early August. Winckowski has only pitched in six games for the Red Sox this season. However, Winckowski has been a solid swingman option for Boston over the last few seasons. The right-hander could be an option for Boston down the stretch of the season.Source: Chris Cotillo
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Andre Pallante Scheduled to Start on Friday
Andre Pallante is scheduled to take the ball versus the Arizona Diamondbacks for the beginning of the second half on Friday. This is an interesting decision to give Pallante the start to kick off the second half of the season. Pallante most recently gave up seven earned runs in a start against the Washington Nationals on July 9. He holds a 4.49 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 64/32 K/BB ratio across 18 starts this season. He won't be a recommended streaming option for this game. Following Pallante, Sonny Gray will get the ball on Saturday while Miles Mikolas is set to pitch on Sunday.Source: Derrick Goold
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Troy Melton Could Join Tigers Bullpen in Second Half
Troy Melton down the stretch this year, much like they did in their aggressive promotion of Jackson Jobe late last year. Melton, who is considered Detroit's No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has lots of swing-and-miss stuff and has posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 93 punchouts and 19 walks in 71 1/3 innings over 17 appearances (16 starts) between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in 2025. It's purely speculation from Beck right now, but a high-octane arm like Melton's could make noise late in the regular season or the postseason. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder has impressive raw stuff on the mound and gets most of his swings and misses with a fastball-changeup combination. Because of the Tigers' starting depth, Melton might not get an extended run as a starter in the big leagues until sometime next year.Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
MLB.com's Jason Beck speculates that the Detroit Tigers could call up right-handed pitching prospect