MLB Player News

Morgan (1-5) allowed five earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one across four innings to take the loss Thursday against the Athletics.

Morgan retired the side in order in the first inning but ran into trouble thereafter. Though he kept the ball in the yard, The young righty clearly wasn't sharp as he hit two batters in addition to the three free passes he issued. Morgan was coming off consecutive quality starts prior to Thursday's appearance, during which he allowed a combined four earned runs across 13 innings with a 12:2 K:BB. After this poor outing, he has a 6.52 ERA across 48.1 innings on the campaign.

Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Ramirez was sent to the minors July 22, but he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen to provide a fresh arm while Paul Sewald is on the paternity list. The right-hander has recorded a 4.35 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 10.1 innings across seven relief appearances with the Mariners this year.

Sewald was placed on the paternity list Thursday.

Players may miss up to three days on the paternity list, meaning Sewald should be back by Sunday. Yohan Ramirez was recalled to take his place in the bullpen in a corresponding move.

Howard didn't factor into the decision Wednesday in the Rangers' 2-1 loss to the Mariners after working three scoreless frames in his 44-pitch start. He permitted two hits and no walks while striking out three.

Howard generated six swings and misses on his 26 strikes in what was an encouraging outing for the young right-hander, who has largely struggled between big-league stops in Philadelphia and Texas this season. As was the case when he pitched for the Phillies earlier in 2021, the Rangers appear committed to limiting his workloads in his starts, an arrangement that will make it difficult to scoop up wins even when he performs well. Taylor Hearn tossed four innings in long relief and is expected to be deployed in tandem with Howard for the foreseeable future.

Phillips' contract was selected by the Rays on Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Phillips joined the Rays on a minor-league deal last week and allowed a run on four hits and no walks while striking out three in 3.1 innings across two appearances (one start) at Triple-A Durham. He'll join the big-league bullpen after Dietrich Enns was optioned to Durham in a corresponding move.

Young was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Young has a 5.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB across 9.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season, split between Reno and Columbus. He also struggled to a 6.26 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 41.2 innings with Arizona. Young was called up to replace Nick Sandlin, who was placed on the injured list Thursday with a shoulder strain.

Sandlin was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right shoulder Thursday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Sandlin left Wednesday's game against the Athletics with what was originally called shoulder tightness. As it turns out, the issue is serious enough to sideline him for at least 10 days and potentially much more, as shoulder issues can be particularly worrisome for pitchers. Cleveland has yet to provide a timeline for his return. Alex Young was recalled in a corresponding move.

Hearn allowed one run on two hits, four walks and hit a batter while striking out three over four relief innings in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Seattle.

In what was largely a positive outing for Hearn, the left-hander allowed the tying run to score in the sixth inning before finishing up with a 1-2-3 seventh. Hearn pitched in relief of starter Spencer Howard, whose innings have been capped since arriving from the Phillies at the trade deadline. Aside from walking too many batters, Hearn has pitched well in six outings since the All-Star break, posting a 1.96 ERA over 18.1 innings.

Pressly walked one and struck out two over a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Rockies.

Pressly, who hadn't pitched in four days, entered in a non-save situation and shut the door on Colorado. All three of his appearances since coming off the paternity list have been of the non-save variety. All three featured the combination of Ryne Stanek (seventh inning), Kendall Graveman (eighth) and Pressly (ninth). The once-beleaguered Astros bullpen has become boring of late, which is fine by manager Dusty Baker. That trio of relievers have combined to pitch 13.1 scoreless innings with four hits, two walks and 19 strikeouts since the trade deadline.

Lopez could start in place of Carlos Rodon (shoulder) the next turn through the rotation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez filled in Wednesday with Rodon placed on the injured list and expected to be sidelined beyond the 10-day minimum. If manager Tony La Russa sticks with Lopez, who pitched three scoreless innings Wednesday, the start is expected to come during the three-game series against Oakland that runs from Tuesday to Thursday next week.