MLB Player News

The Astros designated Pruitt for assignment Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston cut Pruitt to make room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for reliever Rafael Montero, who was acquired along with Kendall Graveman from the Mariners on Tuesday. After missing the first three and a half months of the season while recovering from September surgery to repair a fractured elbow, Pruitt struggled to regain form upon being activated from the injured list. In his two appearances out of the Houston bullpen, Pruitt gave up a pair of runs on three hits, including two solo home runs.

Brasier (concussion) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Sunday at Triple-A Worcester, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Brasier has been on the injured list all season with a calf strain and, most recently, a concussion, but he finally looks to be honing in on his 2021 debut. If he checks out fine in the live BP session, Brasier should be able to pitch in some simulated games next week before graduating to minor-league rehab games. Boston is optimistic the right-handed reliever will be ready to return from the 60-day IL around mid-August.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Merryweather's (oblique) return from the 60-day injured list isn't imminent, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports. "It's ups and downs, but right now he's not close," Montoyo said of Merryweather's potential return.

After collecting two saves in the first week of the season and appearing to be in the driver's seat for closing duties with Toronto, Merryweather sustained a severe left oblique strain in mid-April and has been sidelined ever since. Toronto was initially optimistic Merryweather would be back by late June, but he experienced a setback in his recovery that has delayed his target return date. With Merryweather still limited to playing catch at this stage of his recovery, he's realistically at least two more weeks away from pitching for Toronto, in a best-case scenario.

Warren's contract was selected by the Angels on Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Warren has made 22 appearances (one start) at Triple-A Salt Lake this year, and he's accumulated nine innings across his last three outings. The right-hander's 6.19 ERA this year has been skewed by several rough outings, but he's posted a 2.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 13.1 innings across his last six appearances. He'll now be in line to make his major-league debut, likely out of the Angels' bullpen.

Wells is scheduled to start Thursday's series opener against the Tigers in Detroit, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

With Keegan Akin still on the COVID-19 injured list, Wells will pick up another turn through the Baltimore rotation as the Orioles' fifth starter. He acquitted himself well in his first MLB start July 21 in Tampa Bay, covering 5.2 innings while allowing three runs and striking out seven.

Chapman walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 19th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Rays.

The veteran closer seems to have turned things around after his rough stretch in late June and early July, converting his last three save chances and posting a 1.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB over his last seven innings. Chapman's inconsistent control remains a bit of a worry, but as long as he's striking out nearly two batters an inning, he can get away with the occasional free pass.

Pressley allowed two runs on three hits and one walk over one inning in Tuesday's 8-6 win over Seattle.

It wasn't a save situation for Pressly, who entered with Houston up by four runs. He allowed a two-run home run to Seattle's Abraham Toro, who oddly enough began the day as a member of the Astros before being traded to the team in the dugout across the diamond. The Astros closer then put the tying run on base before retiring Kyle Seager and Ty France to end the game. Pressly had entered the game having allowed just one earned run over the last 19 innings and had a 0.84 ERA in non-save situations.

Sandlin struck out one in a perfect inning versus St. Louis on Tuesday.

The right-hander has had some recent uneven performances, allowing six runs (three earned) across 6.1 innings. Sandlin has been a reliable bullpen arm this year with a 2.54 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB, but he's picked up only four holds in 27 appearances. The 24-year-old is unlikely to work his way into a higher-leverage role just yet despite the strong overall performance.

Shaw (3-5) allowed two runs on three hits in one inning, taking the loss versus St. Louis on Tuesday.

After a quality start from Cal Quantrill, Shaw made a mess in the seventh inning by allowing a two-run home run to Paul DeJong. That was enough for the reliever to take his second loss in his last three outings. Shaw has allowed five home runs in 45.1 innings this year while pitching to a 3.18 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 53:29 K:BB. He's added two saves, four blown saves and 14 holds in 46 appearances.

Robles was removed from Tuesday's loss to the Tigers since he was dizzy and lightheaded, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Robles struggled before exiting the contest, giving up four runs on three hits and a walk while recording two outs. Manager Rocco Baldelli believed the right-hander's issues were related to the heat, so his outlook shouldn't be affected much going forward. Robles is Minnesota's top option for saves after Taylor Rogers (finger) landed on the injured list earlier Tuesday.