MLB Player News

Brasier (concussion) joined the Red Sox in Tampa Bay on Monday for the start of their four-game series with the Rays and could be activated from the 60-day injured list in the coming days, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

A key reliever for Boston each of the past three seasons, Brasier hasn't debuted for the big club in 2021 after he was slowed by a significant calf strain in spring training before suffering a concussion when he was struck by a line drive in a simulated game in early June. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 10, and over his last four appearances between Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland, he tossed four shutout innings while allowing just one baserunner. Whenever the Red Sox add him back to the active roster, expect Brasier to work in a low-leverage role initially.

Jax (3-3) allowed six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings Sunday in a 6-2 loss to the Brewers.

Jax had a clean opening inning but was chased for six runs over the next three frames. Luis Urias took him deep in the second for a solo homer. A double and a walk would put two runners on in the third before Rowdy Tellez cleared the bases with a three-run blast and then Kolten Wong would drive in two more in the fourth with a double. The 26-year-old has given up 15 runs over his last two outings, which has inflated his ERA to a 6.71 to go along with a 1.40 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over 53.2 innings. Jax lines up for a tough matchup against the Rays his next time out.

Green (7-6) took the loss in Sunday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Athletics, allowing two runs on two hits in one inning.

Green entered a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning and retired the first two Oakland hitters, but he subsequently surrendered a double and two-run Tony Kemp home run to fall in line for the loss. The defeat is Green's first since July 11 as he'd been enjoying a spotless August until Sunday's outing. The righty remains an integral piece in New York's bullpen and should continue to see use in high-leverage situations moving forward.

Chafin picked up the save in Sunday's 3-1 win against the Yankees, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth.

Up two in the ninth, manager Bob Melvin turned to Chafin -- not closer Lou Trivino, who was rested -- and the veteran lefty delivered an excellent performance. Chafin has pitched to a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings since being acquired from the Cubs and could potentially be the beneficiary of an upgraded role.

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.