MLB Player News

McHugh (elbow) is expected to rejoin Houston's rotation this weekend against the Orioles, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The final two pieces to drop before McHugh joins the rotation are the outcome of a bullpen session scheduled Tuesday and which day he'll start. Friday's series opener would represent normal rest and it's also the day the struggling Joe Musgrove lines up to start, so that seems to be the most logical deployment for McHugh. The right-hander got his pitch count up to 69 in his final rehabilitation start, then threw another 20 pitches in a subsequent bullpen session. He should be ready to go at least five innings.

Diaz sent the Astros down in order while notching a pair of strikeouts en route to his 17th save Monday.

Diaz was called upon in the bottom of the 10th inning for the second consecutive game and once again delivered a perfect frame. He has turned in five consecutive scoreless appearances while recording 11 of 15 outs in that stretch via strikeout.

Colome allowed a run on one hit but still picked up his 27th save of the season during Monday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Colome entered the ninth inning with a two-run cushion, but he quickly cut his team's lead in half after surrendering a leadoff double and then heaving a wild pitch to score the runner. He was able to settle down and get Ryon Healy to ground out to short for his 27th save of the campaign. The closer has now converted his last eight save opportunities.

Scott was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Brian Johnson will be recalled from the minors ahead of his start Tuesday, so Scott was sent down to open up a roster spot. The 27-year-old has posted a 3.75 ERA (5.31 FIP) over 24 innings of relief with the big-league club this season.

Merritt was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

After utilizing their relievers for 7.1 innings during Sunday's game, the Indians will call upon Merritt to provide a fresh arm in their bullpen. The 25-year-old currently sports a 3.36 ERA over 93.2 innings at Columbus this season.

Coulombe notched his fifth hold in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Indians, allowing a hit and recording one out.

The 27-year-old southpaw continues to be one of manager Bob Melvin's most trusted relief options, with Sunday's outing bringing his ERA and WHIP to 2.81 and 1.09, respectively. With fellow lefty Sean Doolittle now in Washington, Coulombe is currently the only left-handed member of the Oakland bullpen and could therefore potentially see increased opportunities.

Hendriks notched his eighth hold in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Indians, getting two outs on two pitches to close out the eighth inning.

Hendriks came on in relief of Daniel Coulombe with one out and one on, and he quickly retired the potent duo of Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Ramirez on a lineout and groundout, respectively. The 28-year-old right-hander has found a semblance of consistency recently after a mostly rocky June, generating scoreless appearances in six of his last seven trips to the mound.

Johnson will be recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Doug Fister was originally scheduled to pitch Tuesday, but that plan was scrapped after he was forced to cover 2.2 innings in relief in Saturday's 16-inning loss to the Yankees. As a result, Johnson will move up to the big leagues for what will likely just be a spot start. Johnson tossed a complete-game shutout May 27 in one of his four starts with the Red Sox this season, but has otherwise been mediocre, failing to last more than five innings in any other of his three turns.

Leone was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Leone will join the bullpen in place of Lucas Harrell, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old right-hander had previously made 34 appearances for the Blue Jays this season, mostly as a middle reliever. He carries a 2.95 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 39.2 innings.

Almonte was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Brought aboard by the Royals for the weekend series with the Rangers while Neftali Feliz was on the paternity list, Almonte will report back to the minors with Feliz being reinstated on the active roster. Almonte, who didn't make an appearance out of the bullpen for the Royals over the weekend, could end up settling into a starting role with Omaha.