MLB Player News

Abreu was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Abreu had given up two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four in 3.1 innings across his last three relief appearances, and he'll now lose his spot on the major-league roster since Corey Kluber (shoulder) is slated to return from the 60-day injured list Monday. The right-hander has a 3.78 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 16.2 innings across 10 Triple-A outings in 2021, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to the Yankees during the final month of the season if they need an extra reliever.

Shaw (6-6) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win Sunday versus Boston.

The right-hander worked in the eighth inning, and Cleveland rallied ahead after Shaw kept the deficit to one run. The 33-year-old has yielded five runs in 13.1 innings in August, but he's kept a scoreless line in 13 of his 15 appearances this month. For the season, he owns a 3.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 62:32 K:BB in 60 innings. Shaw has also notched two saves and 17 holds, and he could become the setup man to closer Emmanuel Clase after James Karinchak was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Clase pitched a perfect inning and struck out one to earn the save in Sunday's 7-5 win over Boston.

The 23-year-old needed only 12 pitches (eight strikes) to protect the two-run lead after Cleveland pulled ahead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Clase stretched his scoreless streak to 19.1 innings, during which he's racked up eight saves, three holds and a 21:1 K:BB while scattering just seven hits. With James Karinchak optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Clase should go unchallenged as Cleveland's closer for the remainder of the season.

Morgan allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts over three innings in a no-decision versus Boston on Sunday.

The right-hander yielded solo home runs to Rafael Devers and Bobby Dalbec in the first two innings. Morgan threw just 45 pitches (26 strikes), but it was his shortest outing since his season debut on May 28. It's unclear if a lengthy rain delay prior to the start of the contest impacted Morgan's usage and overall pregame rhythm. He remains inconsistent with a 5.98 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 61:15 K:BB across 61.2 innings this year. He's expected to make his next start against these same Red Sox in Boston next weekend.

Alexander worked 2.2 innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two.

Though he was responsible for letting in the Blue Jays' only runs through nine innings, Alexander was spared the loss after the Tigers rallied to tie the score in the bottom of the seventh. Alexander was notably deployed as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind Jose Urena, who handled a limited workload in his return from a five-plus-week stint on the IL. Detroit also brought back Matthew Boyd from the 60-day IL on Sunday, and Wily Peralta (finger) could be reinstated during the upcoming week, so Alexander may have to settle for a bullpen role moving forward now that the Tigers have more starting options at their disposal.

Bazardo (lat) transferred his rehab assignment to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday and gave up two runs on two hits and a walk over an inning of relief.

Bazardo moved his rehab program to the highest rung of the minors after his strained right lat checked out fine following two appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. The 25-year-old faltered in Sunday's appearance, and the Red Sox may want to see the reliever find success over multiple outings at Worcester before he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

Munoz's (elbow) fastball has reportedly touched 99 miles per hour during his recent throwing sessions at the Mariners' spring training facility in Arizona, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Munoz's velocity as well as his own comments about the health of his surgically repaired elbow would seem to suggest he's ready for game action, but the Mariners don't intend to have him pitch in games in 2021. Instead, the 22-year-old right-hander -- who underwent Tommy John surgery last March -- will turn his focus to competing for a late-inning bullpen role with Seattle in spring training.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said Sunday that Brentz (shoulder) could come off the 10-day injured list in the near future, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Brentz hasn't been sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment since landing on the IL on Aug. 23 with an inflamed left shoulder, but Matheny's comments would seem to suggest the southpaw may not require one before rejoining the Royals. Prior to getting shut down with the injury, Brentz submitted a 3.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 64:34 K:BB In 54.1 innings while gathering two saves and 13 holds.

Speas (elbow) returned from Double-A Frisco's 7-day injured list Tuesday and gave up a run on one hit and one walk over one inning in his first appearance with the affiliate since May 22.

An inflamed right elbow kept Speas on the shelf for just over three months. The 2016 second-round pick has worked exclusively as a reliever at Frisco this season, giving up 11 earned runs in 7.1 innings across eight appearances.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Sunday that he expects Lovelady to avoid surgery and treat the sprained UCL in his left elbow with rest and rehab, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.

Injuries of these sort often involve Tommy John surgery, but Lovelady appears likely to avoid a procedure that would sideline him through the 2022 season. Though Moore didn't say so, Lovelady is still expected to miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign, but the lefty will be sent in for further tests before the Royals provide an updated timeline for his return, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com.