MLB Player News

Pruitt struck out two and surrendered five runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- over 3.2 innings Wednesday in a no-decision against the Blue Jays.

It was the 27-year-old's shortest outing since moving into the rotation at the end of July, and Pruitt now has a 5.29 ERA and 2.1 HR/9 in 34 innings over six starts in the second half. The Rays remain only four games back of the Twins for the second wild-card spot in the AL, but with five other teams between them and a playoff berth, the front office may elect to keep rolling with Pruitt rather than replace him with top prospect Brent Honeywell and try to make a late surge in the standings. Pruitt will next take the mound Monday in Kansas City.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Giles was unavailable Wednesday because he woke up with a stiff neck, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Apparently Giles slept on his neck wrong, causing the discomfort that led to his unavailability. He didn't seem too worried about the issue, and he said he expects to pitch in Thursday's series finale if the opportunity arises. The 26-year-old has been stellar as the Astros' closer this season, converting 24 saves and compiling a 2.70 ERA and 60:16 K:BB in 46.2 innings.

Rowley was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rowley will head back to the minors to clear room on the roster for Thursday's starter, Tom Koehler. Whether Rowley will rejoin the big-league rotation at some later point in the season remains unknown. In three starts for the Blue Jays this season, he's compiled an unimpressive 4.61 ERA and 7:9 K:BB.

Hu was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Tigers needed 5.1 innings from their bullpen Wednesday, so Hu will provide a fresh relief arm ahead of Thursday's series finale. He's struck out nine and allowed just one earned run over eight major-league innings this season.

Kittredge was optioned to Triple-A Durham following Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A roster spot is needed for Thursday's starter, Alex Cobb, so Kittredge will head back to the minors after firing 1.2 scoreless innings Wednesday. He's now allowed two runs with a 5:2 K:BB in five innings out of the big-league bullpen this season. Kittredge should be back as bullpen depth once roster expand in September.

Pomeranz (13-4) got the win Wednesday over Cleveland, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings and giving up two hits and four walks while striking out nine.

The lefty matched Corey Kluber goose egg for goose egg through four innings until Mitch Moreland touched up the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner for a solo shot in the top of the fifth, giving Pomeranz and the Red Sox bullpen a lead they wouldn't relinquish. He's now won seven straight decisions, with his last loss coming June 11 to the Tigers, and will look to make it eight straight Monday in Toronto.

Scribner has been recalled and will start Thursday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

JC Ramirez (forearm) is on the DL and without a timetable to return, so Scribner will slot into that spot in the rotation, at least for one turn. Scribner has a 4.35 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 103 strikeouts in 103.1 innings at Triple-A this season. He also has a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings in the big leagues, split between the bullpen and the rotation, but his 6.59 xFIP and 9:5 K:BB over that stretch isn't particularly encouraging.

Curtiss will join the Twins prior to Wednesday's game against the White Sox following the club's selection of his contract, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

Curtiss makes his first trip up to the big leagues after spending time in the highest two tiers of the minors this season. During his time with Triple-A Rochester, the right-hander has posted a 1.85 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 24.1 innings. He will serve as depth out of the bullpen moving forward.

Norris (groin) will make his next rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Toledo, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

After tossing 64 pitches in his second rehab start with Toledo on Monday, Norris could have his pitch count bumped up to the 80-to-85 range Saturday in what's expected to be his final outing in the minors before he's activated from the 10-day disabled list. Norris exhibited control issues his last time out with Toledo, but if he's able to make progress in that regard while working deeper into the start, he should be in line to reenter the Tigers' rotation Sept. 1 for one half of their doubleheader that day with the Indians. Norris has compiled a 5.29 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 85 innings with the big club this season.

Castro will rejoin the club prior to Wednesday's game after spending three days on the bereavement list, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

In order to make room for Castro on the active roster, the Orioles optioned Alec Asher back down to Triple-A Norfolk. Moving forward, the 22-year-old right-hander figures to remain in a long-relief role for Baltimore's bullpen.