MLB Player News

The Guardians optioned Morgan to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Morgan holds a 1.98 ERA but just a 10:5 K:BB over 13.2 innings this season and has missed time with a pair of arm issues. David Sandlin (back) has returned from the injured list to take Morgan's spot in the Guardians' bullpen.

The Guardians activated Sandlin (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Sandlin required just a minimum stay on the IL due to lower-back inflammation. He has a 3.49 ERA in 33 appearances this year and will return to a middle-relief role now that he's healthy.

Kimbrel picked up the save over the Mariners on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out two.

Kimbrel entered the contest with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and fanned the first two batters he faced before getting Julio Rodriguez to pop out to first for the final out. The veteran reliever has converted each of his last five save attempts, posting a 9:3 K:BB over that stretch while not allowing any hits. Kimbrel has also recorded two or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.

Hendriks (elbow) threw the first of three scheduled bullpen sessions Wednesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Hendriks will also throw sessions Friday and Sunday in New York. He was limited to fastballs only, per Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who added that the pitcher is "far off" from a rehab assignment. That remark counters earlier comments from Hendriks, who expressed optimism to be activated around July 30.

Shuster will start Thursday's game against the Guardians, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Shuster has appeared in 17 games for the White Sox this season, posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 34.1 innings, but Thursday will mark his first start of the season. The 25-year-old southpaw worked almost exclusively as a starter throughout his professional career before joining the White Sox in the offseason, so he should be able to pitch well into Thursday's game before Chicago turns to its bullpen. Shuster may be in line for just a spot start, as the White Sox could get Mike Clevinger (elbow/neck) back from the 15-day injured list next week to complete their rotation.

The Twins transferred Stewart (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The right-hander has been on the shelf with shoulder tendinitis since early May, so the move to the 60-day IL won't affect his return timeline. Stewart has progressed to facing live batters this week and could soon begin a rehab assignment.

Garcia (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will need at least one minor-league rehab appearance before being activated, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

If all goes well, Garcia would be sent out for a rehab assignment following Wednesday's bullpen session. While it's unclear exactly how many appearances he'll need in the minors, manager John Schneider indicated Garcia would need more than one outing before rejoining the active roster. Once he's healthy, Garcia could take over closing duties considering Jordan Romano (elbow) will be shut down from throwing for at least six weeks.

Romano underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Tuesday to repair an impingement and will be shut down from throwing for at least six weeks, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old has been unavailable due to elbow issues since late May, and it's now unclear whether he'll be able to pitch again this year. Romano missed the first couple weeks of the season with elbow problems and never looked himself in the six weeks he was available with a 6.59 ERA in 15 appearances. Chad Green has stepped up as Toronto's closer with Yimi Garcia (elbow) also on the injured list.

The Orioles optioned Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Vespi allowed just one run in his first 10 innings of big-league action before yielding three runs to the Rangers on Sunday. With Dean Kremer (triceps) returning from the IL, Vespi will be sent back to Triple-A. The 28-year-old owns a 2.84 ERA across 25.1 innings with Norfolk this season.

The Rays recalled Sterner from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

He will take the roster spot vacated by Aaron Civale, who has been traded to the Brewers. Sterner has made two appearances out of the Rays' bullpen this season, allowing two runs (one earned) with a 4:1 K:BB over four innings. He'll be used in low-leverage spots.