MLB Player News

Mushinski (elbow) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Mushinski began a rehab assignment in early July and allowed seven runs in four innings over five minor-league appearances. However, he's back to full health and will rejoin the Astros' bullpen after Ryan Pressly (personal) was placed on the paternity list Thursday.

The Astros placed Pressly on the paternity list Thursday.

Pressly has struck out 17 in nine scoreless innings over his last eight appearances, but he'll spend some time away from the team following the birth of his daughter. Rafael Montero, Hector Neris and Ryne Stanek are candidates for closing duties over the next few days, while Parker Mushinski (elbow) will be activated to provide an additional arm in the bullpen.

Nittoli agreed with the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Nittoli will continue his career with another American League East organization after opting out of his minor-league deal with the Yankees earlier this week. Though the 31-year-old is expected to report to the Blue Jays' top affiliate in Buffalo, he should have a clearer path to a promotion to the big-league bullpen if he continues to perform as well as he did with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre prior to electing free agency. Over his 22 appearances for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate spanning 36.2 innings, Nittoli turned in a 3.44 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:13 K:BB.

The Tigers placed Vest on the paternity list Thursday.

Though Vest was scheduled to go on paternity leave last Sunday, the Tigers didn't officially deactivate him since their game that day against Cleveland was postponed. Vest will now go on the list Thursday as the Tigers begin their second-half schedule, and he'll be able to spend up to three days away from the team. He'll be activated no later than Sunday, in advance of the Tigers' series finale with the Twins.

Hill was promoted from Triple-A Toledo to start Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Athletics.

The Tigers are designating Hill as their 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll presumably be moved off the 26-man active roster after making his third start of the season with the big club. The right-hander owns a 5.73 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with four strikeouts over 11 innings across his two outings in the big leagues.

Hall was named the International League Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Hall allowed one unearned run, four hits and five walks while striking out 18 in 10.2 innings over two starts for Triple-A Norfolk last week. While the control issues remain a concern -- he has a 5.5 BB/9 at the Triple-A level -- Hall has continued to show significant strikeout potential with a 15.1 K/9. Through 59 innings with Norfolk this year, he owns a 3.51 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 99:36 K:BB, with a 2.78 FIP that suggests he could make some improvements over the second half of the campaign.

Stewart (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Thursday.

Stewart should be nearing the finish line for his rehab program from May 2021 Tommy John surgery and will likely report to the Twins' extended spring training facility in Florida to complete his recovery. The 30-year-old right-hander saw big-league action in parts of four seasons between 2016 and 2019, logging a 6.05 ERA over 105.2 career innings.

The Tigers will promote Hill from Triple-A Toledo to start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Athletics in Oakland.

A matchup with one of MLB's worst offenses in a favorable venue for pitchers looks like a good spot for Hill, but he'll have the misfortune of going head to head with the Athletics' staff ace, Frankie Montas (shoulder), who will take the mound for the first time since July 3. Before he was demoted to Toledo shortly before the All-Star break, Hill picked up two starts for Detroit and allowed seven earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over 11 innings.

The Athletics will promote Logue from Triple-A Las Vegas to start the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Tigers in Oakland.

Meanwhile, staff ace Frankie Montas (shoulder) will take the hill for the nightcap in what will be his first start since July 3. Even with Montas' return to action, the Athletics may have one spot available in the rotation on a more regular basis for either Logue or Adam Oller, who served as Oakland's No. 5 starter to close out the team's first-half schedule. Logue has turned in a 5.16 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB across 29.2 innings in the majors this season.

The Rays designated Criswell (shoulder) for assignment Tuesday.

The move comes three days after Tampa Bay claimed Criswell off waivers from the Angels. Prior to being claimed, Criswell had resided on the Angels' 60-day injured list due to an inflamed shoulder, but the 25-year-old is seemingly healthy after he made a five-inning rehab start for Double-A Rocket City on July 13. The 25-year-old will likely remain in Tampa Bay's organization as a member of the Triple-A Durham rotation if he goes unclaimed after losing his 40-man roster spot.