MLB Player News

Chavez could potentially fill a starting role in the near future, the Toronto Star reports.

The option of sending Aaron Sanchez to the bullpen becomes more muddy by the day, but if Toronto does indeed move him, the Chavez may get a big boost in fantasy value. The right-hander started 46 games for Oakland over the past two seasons, going 15-23 with a 3.83 ERA. He's a solid candidate for the job if the team decides to stay within the organization to find pitching help. However, there are so many variables associated with the situation that make it too early to jump the gun on assuming Chavez's fantasy value will rise in the near future.

Putnam (elbow) is expected to have surgery to remove bone spurs, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.

It was originally thought that Putnam would avoid surgery and begin a rehab assignment, but now it appears he will go under the knife to remove the bone spurs and make sure he is fully healthy before returning. The 28-year-old was having a fantastic season before the injury, posting a 2.30 ERA and 9.88 K/9 in 25 relief appearances.

Neal was called up Thursday and could be in line for a spot start Sunday against the Rays.

Neal was promoted in a corresponding move to the team optioning Patrick Schuster to Triple-A Nashville. With Rich Hill battling a blister and trade rumors, Neal will likely earn the start Sunday. He has only made one start in the majors during his professional career, a rough contest against the Mariners earlier this year (seven earned runs off eight hits during four innings of work). But Neal has been effective during his time with Nashville this year, posting a 3.21 ERA during 61.2 innings.

Harvey (elbow) will miss the rest of this season as he undergoes Tommy John surgery Tuesday with Dr. Donald D'Alessandro, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

Harvey was bothered by right forearm tightness after leaving his last start for short-season Aberdeen on Saturday. He met with Dr. James Andrews recently, and will undergo the surgery July 26 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 21-year-old underwent hernia surgery in early May and has been injury plagued throughout the past few years, dealing with an elbow issue and a fractured leg before his groin injury. The talented right-hander will likely miss most of the 2017 as well, depending on his recovery.

Green will not get the start Friday, after making an appearance during Thursday's contest against Baltimore, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

There was speculation that Green could have been called up to give Tanaka an extra day of rest by starting Friday, but it seems as though he will be used as a middle reliever for the time being. Green came in during the seventh inning of Thursday's series finale after being promoted prior to the game in place of Nick Goody, who was sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

Scott was promoted to Double-A Bowie on Thursday, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Scott will make the jump to Double-A after going 4-2 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.33 WHIP through 48.1 innings of relief at the High-A level. The 21-year-old has also converted on all five of his save opportunities this year. As a lefty who can touch 100 mph, he has a lot of untapped potential.

Green was recalled from Triple-A prior to Thursday's game, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports.

He is being listed as a member of the Yankees' bullpen, but there is still speculation from Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News that Green could get a spot start Friday in order to give Masahiro Tanaka an extra day of rest. Both scenarios seem possible, and it would be foolish to assume the Yankees are being completely forthright about everything they say regarding personnel. Thursday's day game could shed some light on the matter, as Green would not be an option to start Friday if he sees action in relief. Nick Goody was optioned to Triple-A as a corresponding move.

Devenski pitched two scoreless innings in relief during Wednesday's 7-0 shutout of the A's. He struck out three.

After a stellar June (0.64 ERA, 13:2 K:BB in 14 innings), Devenski has a 2.53 ERA in seven July appearances. Overall, the 25-year-old right-hander has performed well for the Astros this season, posting a 2.26 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB over 63.1 innings.

Barnes tossed three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out two in Wednesday night's 11-7 win over the Giants.

The Red Sox were on the verge of blowing an eight-run lead when Barnes entered in the sixth inning with the bases loaded, no outs, and Boston clinging to an 8-7 lead. He got a double-play grounder and foul out to extricate the Red Sox from that jam, then held the Giants at bay the next two innings. The outing continues a nice stretch for the right-hander, who has a 1.56 ERA with a 17:2 K:BB over his last 12 appearances, spanning 17.1 innings. As the Red Sox cope with injuries in the bullpen, Barnes has earned the confidence and trust of manager John Farrell. He may not get any save opportunities while Craig Kimbrel (knee) and Koji Uehara (pectoral muscle) are out -- Brad Ziegler is the primary closer while they rehab -- but Barnes has earned a chance to pitch in high-leverage situations.

Pomeranz was unable to throw his signature curveball with any effectiveness Wednesday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

Without an effective curveball, the pitch Pomeranz throws most often (39 percent of the time according to BrooksBaseball.net), the left-hander had to rely on the fastball. That left him vulnerable when he didn't locate it. His three-plus inning debut for Boston will certainly generate a lot of talk-radio chatter, but let's give the guy a few starts before declaring that he can't pitch in the heat of the AL East or the Boston baseball market.