MLB Player News

Garcia was designated for assignment Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Garcia has put up an 8.31 ERA over seven relief appearances during his time in the majors this season. The 29-year-old would appear to have a good chance of clearing waivers.

Lopez was designated for assignment Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the addition of Elvin Rodriguez. Lopez had made one appearance for the Rays this season and has struggled at Triple-A Durham, but his gaudy strikeout totals in the minors could draw interest on waivers.

Jackson was placed on the paternity list Friday.

Jackson will be away from the team for its final three contests prior to the All-Star break as he spends time with his growing family. Alek Manoah was called up from Double-A New Hampshire and will replace Jackson on the major-league roster.

Morgan (4-1) allowed a hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the win Thursday over the Royals.

A sixth-inning rally put Morgan in line for the win. Since the start of June, he's allowed three runs over 13.2 innings with a 12:6 K:BB. He's been a little better overall with a 1.72 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB over 36.2 innings for the season while adding a save and four holds. He's had more than his share of good luck, as evidenced by a 3.15 FIP, but any second-half regression should be fairly minimal as long as he maintains his career-best 41.5 percent groundball rate.

Stewart (elbow) is expected back soon after the All-Star break, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Stewart went on the injured list last week with right elbow tendinitis and it sounds like he could have a minimum 15-day absence, or close to it. He's been a revelation out of the Twins' bullpen this season, posting a 0.70 ERA and 35:11 K:BB over 25.2 innings of work.

Smith cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Smith is no longer on the Athletics' 40-man roster but will remain in their organization. The 28-year-old has struggled in both the majors (6.75 ERA) and minors (9.61 ERA) this season.

Harris (2-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and four walks over 4.2 innings against the Tigers. He struck out six.

After giving up two runs in the first inning, Harris struck out the side in the second and appeared to be finding his groove. However, he continued to get himself into trouble, allowing the leadoff man to reach base in each of the next three innings while surrendering a season-high seven earned runs. The left-hander has now allowed at least four runs in each of his last three starts and has lost his last three decisions.

Pearson earned a save in the nightcap of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox, allowing one hit in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Game 1 of the twin bill went 11 innings, resulting in Toronto using five different pitchers, including closer Jordan Romano. As such, Pearson got the call late in the nightcap, entering with two outs in the bottom of the eighth frame. The right-hander allowed a single to Luis Robert before getting the final out in the inning, then stuck around for the bottom of the ninth, during which he induced three straight flyouts to notch the first save of his big-league career. Pearson isn't a threat to challenge Romano for save opportunities moving forward, but he's recorded five consecutive scoreless appearances, allowing just three hits and no walks over six frames during that span.

Garcia earned a save against the White Sox on Thursday by retiring both batters he faced.

The contest remained scoreless through 10 frames before Toronto put up six runs in the top of the 11th. Chicago came back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning and put two runners on base with one out, at which point Garcia was called upon to extinguish the fire. The right-hander needed just six pitches to do so, retiring both batters he faced for his first save of the campaign. Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano worked a scoreless 10th and picked up the victory, so there's nothing to see here in terms of Garcia's role -- he'll likely get some high-leverage work, but Romano has a near monopoly on save chances.

Bernardino will serve as the opener for Friday's game against the Athletics, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Bernardino filled the same role Tuesday, allowing one earned run across 1.1 innings. He's recorded exactly four outs in each of his last four big-league appearances, so he won't work deep into Friday's contest. Brandon Walter is expected to cover the majority of the innings following Bernardino.