MLB Player News

Littell (3-4) got the win Sunday over the Yankees after allowing four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four in six innings.

Littell was punished by the long ball in Sunday's outing. He gave up back-to-back jacks in the third and then a two-run shot to Anthony Volpe in the fourth to allow the Yankees to go up 4-2. The Rays wound up scoring a timely four runs in the sixth to take the lead back and put Littell in line for the victory. He's surrendered a home run in each of his last four starts but has been surprisingly effective as a starter considering he's spent his career as a reliever up until his current stint with the Rays. In six starts with Tampa, Littell now holds a 3.97 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 34 innings and lines up for a meeting with the Guardians next.

Clase (2-7) earned the win Sunday against the Blue Jays. He allowed one unearned run on one hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings.

Clase entered with one out in the 10th to face the heart of the Blue Jays' order, then after the Guardians took the lead in the 11th, finished out the game. He now hasn't allowed an earned run in his past five appearances. Along with the two wins, Clase has 34 saves in 43 chances with a 2.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 56 strikeouts over 59 innings.

Cano (1-3) allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to take the loss Sunday versus the Rockies.

Cano hadn't given up a run over 10.2 innings in August, logging three holds and a save prior to an unlucky loss Sunday. The right-hander has received the first look at ninth-inning assignments since Felix Bautista (elbow) was injured Friday. Cano has a 1.57 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 58:10 K:BB with five saves and 28 holds over 63 innings this year. Those numbers aren't as dominant as Bautista's, but it's still likely Cano can handle closing duties for as long as necessary. Lefties DL Hall or Danny Coulombe may also be in the mix for save chances if manager Brandon Hyde shifts to a matchup-based approach.

Munoz struck out three batters in a perfect inning and earned a save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Royals.

Munoz fired 10 of 14 pitches for strikes and forced five whiffs in his dominant appearances. He had yielded three hits and two walks over his previous two innings. The 24-year-old has now converted 10 of his 13 save chances while producing a 2.63 ERA and a 53:18 K:BB through 37.2 frames.

Alcala (forearm) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Alcala is slated to face off against rehabbing teammates Byron Buxton (hamstring) and Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) on Tuesday for the first of what's expected to be two live sessions this week for the right-hander. The 28-year-old was placed on the injured list May 16 with a radial stress fracture of his right forearm and is expected to complete three live batting practice sessions within the next 10 days before the Twins feel comfortable sending him out on a rehab assignment, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

The Astros optioned Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Houston activated right-hander Phil Maton (elbow) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Blanco has now been optioned five times this season, so if he's called up again by Houston, he would have to be exposed to waivers if the Astros end up demoting him.

The Astros reinstated Maton (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Right-hander Ronel Blanco was sent to Triple-A Sugar Land to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Maton, who spent the minimum amount of time on the shelf with the bruised elbow. Maton has collected one save, three wins and eight holds while pitching to a 3.04 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 53.1 innings out of the bullpen this season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Jansen (hamstring) will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale with the Dodgers, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The veteran closer had been nursing a tight right hamstring since exiting in his most recent appearance Wednesday against the Astros, but he'll be ready to take the hill Sunday if a closing situation arises after he checked out fine while throwing in a live batting practice session Saturday. Jansen has been rock-solid in his age-35 campaign, converting 29 of 32 save chances while submitting a 2.81 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 41.2 innings.

The Red Sox recalled Murphy from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

He'll provide Boston with another left-handed option capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen for at least the next week after fellow lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino was placed on the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday. Murphy was optioned to Triple-A following Monday's loss to the Astros but hadn't made any appearances for Worcester since the demotion.

The Red Sox placed Bernardino on the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Boston recalled Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester to provide the team with another left-handed option out of the bullpen while Bernardino is recovering from the virus. As Browne notes, players on the COVID-19 IL are deactivated for a minimum of seven days before being eligible for a return. Bernardino will thus remain off the 26-man active roster until at least next Sunday.