MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) will join the Blue Jays ahead of Sunday's game in Arizona and could be activated from the 15-day injured list for the series finale with the Diamondbacks, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia had his second rehab appearance pushed back twice due to neck stiffness, but he was able to pitch two-thirds of an inning Friday with Triple-A Buffalo. The 33-year-old has been shelved since June 17 due to right elbow ulnar neuritis. With Jordan Romano (elbow) likely out until September, Garcia could enter the second half of the season as the Blue Jays' closer.

The Nationals traded Harvey to the Royals on Saturday in exchange for minor-league infielder Cayden Wallace and the 39th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Harvey was excellent to start the 2024 season, recording a 2.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 29.1 innings before June, but he has struggled since. He's surrendered a run in seven of 16 appearances since June 1, posting an 8.04 ERA during that stretch. The 29-year-old has 26 holds this season and could push for a high-leverage role with Kansas City. Per Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star, Harvey won't join the Royals in time for Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox.

The Royals designated Anderson for assignment Saturday.

Anderson's move off the 40-man roster clears a spot for right-hander Hunter Harvey, whom the Royals acquired from the Nationals on Saturday. Over 34.2 innings out of the bullpen this season, Anderson logged a 4.15 ERA and struck out 29 batters across 34.2 innings with Kansas City. He's under contract at a modest $1.58 million salary for 2024, so it wouldn't be surprising if another reliever-needy team put in a waiver claim for Anderson.

Brieske will start Sunday against the Dodgers in what will be a bullpen day for the Tigers, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Sunday will mark Brieske's first start of the season, as the Tigers will rely on their bullpen to get them through the final game of the first half. The right-hander owns a 3.52 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through 30.2 innings this season, and he's reached two innings or more in eight of his 18 appearances.

The Orioles transferred Coulombe (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Coulombe hasn't been ruled out for the season after undergoing left elbow surgery in June, but he'll give up his spot on the 40-man roster for the time being in order to make room for Vinny Nittoli.

The Orioles selected Nittoli's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Nittoli signed a minor-league deal with the O's on July 2 and has since given up one run in three innings in Triple-A. He'll now provide additional depth to Baltimore's bullpen, replacing Cade Povich on the team's pitching staff. Danny Coulombe (elbow) was moved to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Martin (elbow) is dealing with some discomfort and has been shut down from throwing, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox currently don't have any plans to take Martin in for imaging, though that may change if he doesn't begin to feel better soon. The 38-year-old is eligible to return from the injured list immediately after the All-Star break, though his latest flareup will likely push back his return date.

The Athletics recalled Otanez from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Otanez was dispatched to Triple-A on Friday, but he'll now return to Oakland's bullpen to make up for the loss of Luis Medina (elbow). The 27-year-old Otanez threw 3.1 shutout innings during his last stint in the majors, though he owns a 5.35 ERA through 37 frames in Triple-A and will likely be limited to low-leverage situations while with the A's.

Speier (shoulder) fired a scoreless inning in Triple-A Tacoma's loss to Albuquerque on Friday, allowing two hits and a walk without recording a strikeout.

Speier was also credited with the hold after his 14-pitch frame, which saw him locate half of his offerings for strikes. The left-hander is now slated to move down to the Mariners' ACL team for his next rehab appearance Monday, after which he'll be evaluated for potential activation coming out of the All-Star break.

Bido (1-1) got the win over the Phillies on Friday, firing three scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts.

Bido once again helped bail out the Athletics after a ragged performance by a starting pitcher, working the fourth, fifth and sixth innings in nearly impeccable fashion after Hogan Harris struggled mightily with his control. Three of Bido's five appearances since returning to the big-league club June 21 have been of the multi-inning variety, and he's mustered a 1.42 ERA without allowing a home run during the 12.2 innings in that span.