MLB Player News

The Rangers placed Otanez on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, due to a viral illness.

Otanez was recalled from Triple-A on Friday, but he won't be able to pitch in the regular season now that he's landed on the injured list. He will be replaced in Texas' bullpen by Adam Macko.

Okert (hamstring) will not return from the injured list before the end of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Okert has been dealing with a hamstring strain since Sept. 4 and isn't scheduled to resume throwing off a mound until next week. He'll then require additional bullpen sessions and PFP drills before being cleared to return, and there simply won't be enough time to squeeze all of that in before the regular season ends Sept. 27. The door is still open for him to return at some point during the postseason, if the Astros secure a spot.

The Royals recalled Bivens from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Bivens was claimed off waivers from San Francisco last Saturday, and he'll now be called upon to provide bullpen depth while Craig Kimbrel (bereavement) is away from the team. Bivens will almost certainly be limited to low-leverage work given that he's allowed eight earned runs in just five major-league innings this season.

The Royals placed Kimbrel on the bereavement list Saturday.

Kimbrel will be away from the team for at least three days while he tends to personal matters. Spencer Bivens will come up from Omaha to fill the open spot in Kansas City's bullpen.

The Orioles reinstated Bautista (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Saturday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Bautista will join the active roster for the first time since July 2025 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 23 and has since given up five earned runs in eight innings while striking out nine batters and walking seven. The 31-year-old has consistently been one of Baltimore's most reliable high-leverage relievers throughout his career, but he may not step into a closing role immediately upon being activated due to the length of his absence and his subpar minor-league performance.

President of baseball operations Mike Elias said Saturday that Helsley (elbow) will be shut down for the remainder of the season, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Helsley had been working his way back from right elbow inflammation that forced him onto the injured list in late June, but he hasn't pitched in a rehab game at Triple-A Norfolk since last Saturday. With his progress stalling, the Orioles have officially now shifted their focus to getting the 32-year-old ready for 2027. He'll finish 2026 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.43 WHIP alongside a 21:9 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Chapman (lat) will not pitch this weekend but is expected to return during the team's final homestand next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Chapman was not available for the last two contests, which were save opportunities. Garrett Whitlock (Thursday) and Erik Miller (Friday) closed out the two wins. The Red Sox, who have a six-game lead over the nearest playoff hopefuls with eight games left, have some wiggle room and will not rush Chapman back.

Sommers (2-4) tossed two scoreless innings of relief with five strikeouts to earn the win in Friday's 11-8 victory over the White Sox.

Sommers was on cruise control out of the bullpen as he struck out five of the six batters he faced on 22 pitches. The lefty has had a nice season overall with a 3.32 ERA, though he's struggled a bit lately with a 5.40 ERA in his last eight appearances before Friday's rebound. Sommers has also done a great job of missing bats with 58 strikeouts in just 38 innings this year, giving him some sneaky upside heading into 2027 if he's able to secure a higher-leverage role.

Adams earned the save after retiring all three batters he faced in Friday's 3-0 win over the Angels.

The right-hander was handed a three-run advantage after Tommy Nance escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning, and he made quick work of the Angels in the ninth. Adams retired the side in order on just 10 pitches (seven strikes) to preserve Minnesota's shutout and collect his third save of the season. He hasn't allowed earned runs in five of his six appearances in September, posting a 1.64 ERA with a 5:4 K:BB across 11 innings. Yoendrys Gomez has been struggling as the Twins' closer this month, but Adams could still be behind Jeff Hoffman in the pecking order for ninth-inning work if a switch is made -- Hoffman had pitched Wednesday and Thursday and was unavailable Friday, and he hasn't been scored upon since Aug. 23, posting a 0.48 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings during that span.

Munoz earned the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Rockies, allowing one hit while striking out two without a walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

Munoz was called on to close out a one-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff single to slam the door. The 27-year-old has held opponents scoreless in seven of eight September appearances, converting four of five save opportunities over that stretch. For the year, he's 28-for-38 in save chances with a 4.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 89:23 K:BB across 57 innings.