MLB Player News

Rodriguez (elbow) has a 6.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 7.1 innings during his minor-league rehab assignment.

Rodriguez pitched back-to-back days for Triple-A Durham on Friday and Saturday, which is likely the final hurdle that he had left to climb before joining the Rays, per MLB.com. The right-hander is just about fully recovered from right elbow surgery he underwent in August of last year, and Rodriguez could be activated from the injured list as early as this week.

Bello is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind left-hander Alec Gamboa in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks at Fenway Park, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Gamboa has served as a swingman at Triple-A Worcester for a good chunk of the season and is capable of offering more length than the typical opener, but he might be capped at around one or two frames Monday since he'll be pitching on two days' rest after tossing three innings and 36 pitches in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Pirates. As a result, look for Bello -- who last pitched Aug. 9 -- to be called upon to provide length behind Gamboa. Bello has been hit hard over his eight starts this season, but he's been lights out in 10 relief appearances, pitching to an 0.75 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:6 K:BB across 48 innings. The 27-year-old righty could be a worthy streaming option Monday for fantasy managers looking to make up ground in the wins category.

Gamboa will operate as Boston's opening pitcher Monday against the Diamondbacks, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Gamboa will make the first start of his major-league career, albeit in a non-traditional capacity. The southpaw has produced an impressive 1.59 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 17 innings in nine appearances out of the bullpen. Since Gamboa most recently tossed three innings and 36 pitches in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Pirates, he'll likely be in store for a limited workload before turning the game over to right-hander Brayan Bello, who is expected to pitch in bulk relief.

Harris struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Rangers.

Harris looks to be pulling away with the closer job for the Athletics -- he's earned six saves since the All-Star break alone, while no one else on the team has more than four all year. It hasn't all been smooth lately, though this was his third scoreless outing in a row following a stretch in which he gave up five runs over 4.1 frames. Overall, Harris is at a 3.50 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 72:34 K:BB through 54 innings, and he has 12 saves in 17 chances and 10 holds to his name.

The Astros recalled Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Ullola will be up with the Astros for the third time this season after giving up three earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out seven batters across five innings over three relief appearances between his first two stints in the big leagues. He'll join the Houston bullpen as a replacement for Ronel Blanco, who was optioned to Triple-A.

Way (back) is expected to start a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas next week, per MLB.com.

After landing on the injured list July 28 due to low-back spasms and tightness, Way has worked through a throwing progression with no issues and is closing in on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old has made 19 appearances with the Royals this season, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen early this week as he continues his mound progression, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been shelved since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks, but the 29-year-old could finally be nearing a rehab assignment. Before hitting the injured list, the right-hander posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

The Athletics claimed Rock off waivers from the White Sox on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Rock will join his third organization this season after spending time with both the Rays and the White Sox in 2026. All four of Rock's appearances in the big leagues came with the White Sox, with theleft-hander compiling a 3.48 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 12:11 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The Athletics transferred Justin Sterner (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL to clear room on the 40-man roster for Rock.

The Athletics transferred Sterner (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

After undergoing right knee surgery Friday, Sterner had already been ruled out for the rest of the season. His move to the 60-day injured list is merely procedural, as it opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver pickup Joe Rock. The 29-year-old Sterner logged a 6.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB over 42.2 innings out of the bullpen before hitting the shelf July 18.

Estevez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Sunday before being re-evaluated, per MLB.com.

Estevez has been on the injured list since April 1, initially due to a left foot contusion before he suffered a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab outing May 6. The veteran right-hander began a mound progression Aug. 7 and has yet to experience any hiccups. The Royals have struggled mightily to fill the closer role in Estevez's absence this season, with Steven Cruz currently serving as the top option in the ninth inning.