MLB Player News

Boston placed Winckowski on the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday after he tested positive for the virus, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Winckowski started and covered six innings in Wednesday's loss to the Rays, so he likely wouldn't have been available for the Red Sox's final four games before the All-Star break as anything more than an emergency option out of the bullpen. As a result, Winckowski's move to the COVID-19 IL shouldn't prove to be too consequential, assuming he's able to make a quick recovery from the virus and is ready to go by the time the Red Sox require a fifth starter for the first time in the second half July 26. The Red Sox called up reliever Darwinzon Hernandez from Triple-A Worcester to take Winckowski's spot on the active roster.

Zerpa was recalled from Double-A Northwest Arkansas and will start Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Zerpa picked up his first big-league win Monday after firing two scoreless innings out of the bullpen for Kansas City, and he'll now briefly join the big-league rotation with the team missing a slew of players due to their vaccination statuses. The left-hander has started 13 games at Double-A this year and has a 4.36 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 69:21 K:BB across 64 innings. Given he's only on two days rest since Monday's appearance, Zerpa shouldn't be expected to pitch deep into Thursday's contest.

The Royals placed Coleman (personal) on the restricted list Thursday.

Coleman is one of 10 Royals on the 26-man active roster who won't be eligible for the four-game series in Toronto due to his vaccination status. He'll be formally reinstated from the restricted list for the Royals' first game coming out of the All-Star break July 22 against Tampa Bay. Infielder Maikel Garcia was called up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to temporarily replace Coleman on the active roster.

The Guardians designated Young for assignment Thursday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Young will now be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he'll remain with Triple-A Columbus. The left-hander has produced a 3.77 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 46 strikeouts over 31 frames in 29 appearances this year with Columbus.

Morgan struck out two in two perfect innings during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the White Sox.

Morgan was called upon for a multi-inning assignment after starter Aaron Civale (wrist) left after the first inning. This was a better performance for Morgan, who's had some mixed results lately. He's allowed eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits -- including three home run -- in his last seven innings. During that span, he has three blown saves, a win and a hold. The right-hander still owns a solid 2.90 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 49:6 K:BB across 40.1 innings, but there's been some signs of regression after an unsustainable run of good performance in May and early June.

De Los Santos allowed two hits and struck out two over two scoreless innings versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Aaron Civale (wrist) lasted only one inning in his start, making this an impromptu bullpen game for Clevland. De Los Santos did his part with his longest outing of the year, though he's routinely picked up four or five outs in appearances throughout 2022. The 26-year-old right-hander has pitched 3.1 consecutive scoreless innings and now sports a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB with one save and two holds through 27.2 innings.

Hentges (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with one strikeout in 1.2 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the White Sox.

Hentges was responsible for both runs the White Sox scored in the sixth inning, and the Guardians' offense couldn't get him off the hook. He's been scored upon in seven of his last eight outings, making his strong first two months of the season a distant memory. The southpaw now has a mediocre 4.18 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB across 32.1 innings this year. All but four of the 15 runs he's allowed this year have come in his last 7.1 frames.

Sewald recorded saves on both ends of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of the Nationals, pitching a total of 1.1 innings and giving up one run on two hits while striking out three.

The right-hander collected a one-out save in the matinee, shutting the door after the Nats threatened to erase a 6-1 deficit in the ninth inning. Sewald then worked a more traditional full inning in the nightcap to protect a 2-0 lead, and he needed the extra cushion after Juan Soto -- who'd socked the three-run homer in the first game that forced Seattle's closer into action -- took him deep as well for a solo shot. Sewald has converted 10 straight save chances, last blowing one June 2, and he's now up to 12 on the year to go with three wins, four holds, a 2.60 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 41:7 K:BB through 34.2 innings.

Hendriks struck out two without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 18th save of the season Wednesday against the Guardians.

Hendriks held a one-run lead in dominant fashion to tally his 18th save of the season. He's shown no lingering issues from a forearm injury that sidelined him for nearly a month, turning in four scoreless innings with a 7:0 K:BB since being activated from the injured list July 4. Overall, Hendriks has an excellent 2.43 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB across 29.2 frames for the campaign.

Leclerc allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

Leclerc, who was coming off a promising stretch during which he allowed zero runs over his last seven innings, was deployed to close out a 5-0 lead but ran into trouble. His first pitch was taken deep by Skye Bolt, then he gave up another solo blast to Ramon Laureano, before Garrett Richards rescued the Rangers. With Joe Barlow (blister) landing on the injured list, manager Chris Woodward may have been acclimating Leclerc, a former closer, to a late-inning role.