MLB Player News

Estevez earned the save in Monday's 7-4 win against the Nationals, allowing one walk and no hits over a scoreless inning.

The 32-year-old reached the 30-save mark for the second time in his nine-year career, working around a two-out walk. Estevez has now converted five consecutive save opportunities since his last blown save July 18, pitching to a 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB in nine innings over that span. Across 51.1 total frames, the Royals closer sports a 2.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 42:19 K:BB while going 30-for-36 in save opportunities.

Martin (calf) threw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

This was the second bullpen session of the weekend for Martin, who is expected to face batters Tuesday. If all goes well against hitters, the right-hander is expected to begin a brief rehab assignment.

Sborz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Sborz, currently on the 60-day injured list, made a string of appearances on a rehab assignment before a brief "deloading" program, which is a planned period of reduced training. The right-hander continues to try to ramp up to game velocity.

The Royals placed Harvey on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right adductor strain.

Harvey has yet to allow a run this season, but he's been limited to just 12 relief appearances due to a shoulder injury and now an adductor strain. He will be eligible for activation Aug. 26, but it's unclear whether he'll have a chance to be ready at that time.

The Red Sox designated Burdi for assignment Monday.

He will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to left-hander Jovani Moran, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester ahead of Monday's series opener in Houston. The 32-year-old Burdi had made just four relief appearances for Boston this season but has pitched well for Worcester, logging a 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB across 24 innings.

The Red Sox optioned Murphy to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Murphy spent the first three months on the injured list while completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery before being activated in late June. Over 14 appearances out of the Boston bullpen, Murphy submitted a 3.05 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB in 20.2 innings while being used mainly in lower-leverage spots. His demotion likely has less to do with his performance than it does Boston's desire to bring in a fresh arm, as Murphy had pitched three of the past five days while covering three innings in total. Boston called up left-hander Jovani Moran from Triple-A to replace Murphy in the bullpen.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Cruz (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Thursday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Cruz has already reported to Somerset and got through a 19-pitch live batting practice session Sunday, clearing the way for him to begin a rehab assignment. He's expected to make three appearances in the minors before being activated from the 15-day injured list, potentially by the end of next week. Cruz has been out since late June with a strained oblique.

The Orioles selected Espada's contract Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.

Espada signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles in late July and has now been added to the 40-man roster, although he will remain at Norfolk for the time being. The 28-year-old holds a 3.74 ERA and 66:21 K:BB over 43.1 frames in the minors this season.

Gipson-Long (neck) struck out three and allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk over 4.1 innings in his latest rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo.

Gipson-Long built up to 57 pitches in his second rehab start since he resumed his assignment earlier this month after a two-week layoff caused by a recurrence of neck stiffness. The Tigers appear committed to letting Gipson-Long get stretched out as a starter during his rehab assignment, but the right-hander may not have a spot in the big-league rotation waiting for him once he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list.

Morales did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing no hits and five walks over 2.2 scoreless innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.

Morales didn't allow a hit in his first MLB start Sunday, but five walks and just 25 strikes on 57 pitches limited him to recording only eight outs. The rookie debuted Aug. 1 against the Diamondbacks, giving up one run over two innings in relief, before earning his first start. Earlier this year, he regularly worked deep into games for Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas from mid-April to mid-June, but the right-hander hasn't gone beyond three innings in an outing since the start of July. With the pitching staff in flux and Luis Severino (oblique) now on the injured list, it remains to be seen what role Morales will fill moving forward.