MLB Player News

Nittoli was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Nittoli has made just a single career big-league appearance, allowing two runs in a single inning of work back in late June. Unsurprisingly the 30-year-old went unclaimed on waivers, so he'll remain in an organizational depth role.

Mills was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Mills appeared in eight games for the Mariners in May and didn't look particularly good, allowing 10 runs in 8.1 innings of work. He's been far better in 24.2 frames for Triple-A Tacoma, cruising to a 2.92 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.

Robles (illness) was acquired by Boston from Minnesota in exchange for Alex Scherff on Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Robles hasn't pitched since Tuesday, when he surrendered four runs before exiting with dizziness and lightheadedness, but he's apparently healthy enough to pass a physical. The 30-year-old was in the closer's mix with the Twins but is unlikely to see those chances for the Red Sox with a 4.91 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 43:24 K:BB in 45 appearances this year.

Maton was acquired by Houston from Cleveland on Friday in exchange for outfielder Myles Straw, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Maton struggled over the first couple months of the season for Cleveland, but he's pitched well since mid-June with a 2.04 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 17.2 innings. The 28-year-old could see occasional high-leverage spots for the Astros but should primarily work in middle relief.

Howard (finger), Josh Gessner and Kevin Gowdy were traded from the Phillies to the Rangers in exchange for Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Howard has been a dominant pitcher in the minors, posting a 1.85 ERA and a 34.7 percent strikeout rate in 30 starts across the last four years. He hasn't come close to replicating that thus far in the majors, with his strikeout rate dropping to 22.5 percent and his ERA spiking to 5.81, though that comes in a small sample of just 52.2 innings.

Hendriks will have to share his closer role with the newly acquired Craig Kimbrel down the stretch, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Henriks looked like one of the safest closers around, as he's coming off back-to-back seasons with an ERA of 1.80 or below and owns a well-supported 2.58 ERA this season to go with his 25 saves, the second-highest total in the league. Kimbrel appears to be just as strong of a weapon, however, as he's bounced back from a couple of surprisingly poor seasons and is back in peak form, cruising to an 0.49 ERA and 46.7 percent strikeout rate, both of which represent the top marks among qualified relievers. For now, the White Sox intend to give both pitchers save opportunities, though the exact split between the two may take some time to become clear.

Kimbrel was traded from the Cubs to the White Sox in exchange for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer on Friday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Kimbrel will head south along the Red Line in one of the biggest deals of the deadline. The landing spot is one of the few that could potentially hurt Kimbrel's fantasy value, as it's unclear whether it will be him or Liam Hendriks who receives most of the save chances for the White Sox. Kimbrel owns an incredible 0.49 ERA and 46.7 percent strikeout rate this season, both of which beat Hendriks' 2.58 ERA and 41.0 percent strikeout rate, but Hendriks was dominant in each of the previous two seasons while Kimbrel had easily the worst two years of his 12-year career. The initial plan is to have the two split the ninth inning, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Jax will be called up to start Friday against the Cardinals.

Jose Berrios had been the team's scheduled starter but was instead traded to Toronto. Jax has made two starts and four relief appearances at the big-league level this season but hasn't shown much, struggling to a 7.48 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Still, the fact that he's getting the first opportunity in Berrios' absence could indicate that he'll have an inside track at a starting role down the stretch, which could make him worth keeping an eye on in deep leagues.

Holmes pitched a perfect inning and struck out one batter against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The Yankees trailed by 14 runs when Holmes came into the contest in the eighth inning, so he wasn't exactly pitching under pressure. Still, it was a positive New York debut for the right-hander, who was acquired from the Pirates on Monday. Holmes figures to see mostly low-leverage work for the Yankees given his 4.81 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 5.2 BB/9 on the season.

Abreu allowed six runs on four hits and two walks without recording an out against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The right-hander came into the contest with a 1.88 ERA across 14.1 innings and left with his ERA having ballooned to 5.65. Abreu tossed only 18 of 33 pitches for strikes and was pounded when he did throw the ball into the zone, as three of Tampa Bay's four hits against him left the park. It was the first time this season that Abreu has allowed more than one run in an appearance.