MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Ullola to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The righty reliever will head back to Triple-A as the Astros open up room on the active roster for right-hander Ethan Pecko, who was called up from Sugar Land ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Angels. Ullola has surrendered three runs on four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts across six innings with Houston this season.

The Athletics optioned Johnson to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

With Jeffrey Springs back from the 15-day injured list, Johnson is losing his spot on the 26-man roster. Acquired from the Phillies in exchange for Colby Thomas two weeks ago at the trade deadline, Johnson surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and three walks with six strikeouts across 4.2 innings out of the bullpen for the Athletics.

The Rays optioned Scholtens to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Scholtens allowed two runs over a four-inning relief outing in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. Since he would have been unavailable to pitch for a few days, the Rays are replacing Scholtens on the roster with a fresh reliever in Chris Roycroft.

The Rays recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Roycroft has been bludgeoned for 14 runs over 17.1 frames out of the Rays' bullpen this season. He will give the Rays a fresh bullpen arm after the team's relievers covered 5.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Way (back) allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.

Way returned to game action as he rehabs from low-back spasms and tightness, though his first rehab outing wasn't particularly sharp. He threw 16 of 24 pitches for strikes and uncorked a wild pitch. In 19 big-league appearances this season, Way has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Bednar struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 28th save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Orioles.

After blowing his last save chance Sunday on an unearned run, Bednar did most of the work himself Tuesday rather than leaving things in the hands of his defense. The veteran closer has been mostly untouchable this summer, and since the beginning of June he's converted 16 of 17 save opportunities while posting a 0.86 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 34:7 K:BB over 31.1 innings.

Newcomb will be used as the White Sox's opening pitcher during Wednesday's game versus the Cubs, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Newcomb has made two other appearances as an opener this season, throwing a combined 4.1 scoreless innings with just one hit and a 6:1 K:BB. Jose Urquidy is likely to absorb the lion's share of the innings for the White Sox on Wednesday in a bulk-relief role.

Fedde allowed three hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Tuesday.

Fedde worked in bulk relief behind opener Bryan Hudson, who allowed two runs in the first inning. This was an encouraging performance for Fedde, though he threw just 45 of 78 pitches for strikes. The veteran right-hander has a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 82:42 K:BB through 114.1 innings over 27 games (12 starts) this season. Fedde's role moving forward isn't entirely clear, but he should get at least one more turn through the rotation, either as a starter or bulk reliever at home against the Mets over the weekend.

Estevez (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment this week, MLB.com reports.

Estevez has been progressing in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain, throwing bullpen sessions that have him on the verge of embarking on a rehab assignment. Given the right-hander's lengthy layoff, the Royals are likely to give him extended time to find his footing in the minor leagues before returning him to the big-league roster. The 33-year-old has been out since April 1, initially due to a left foot contusion before he suffered the shoulder injury in a rehab outing May 6.

McArthur (elbow) began a throwing progression during the second half of the season and is on a bullpen schedule, per MLB.com.

McArthur missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from surgery to repair a fractured right elbow before suffering a setback during spring training. The right-hander ultimately underwent another procedure in late May due to recurring soreness and inflammation in the same elbow. It's a positive sign that McArthur has progressed to a throwing program, though he is running out of time to return to big-league action in 2026.