MLB Player News

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.

The Blue Jays recalled Jackson from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Toronto brought Jackson aboard to provide the team with another right-handed option out of the bullpen after setup man Erik Swanson (spine) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over his 18 appearances with the Blue Jays this season, Jackson has compiled a 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB across 22 innings.

Swanson was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with thoracic spine inflammation.

Swanson left early in his relief appearance in Saturday's game against Cleveland with what the Blue Jays initially labeled as right mid-back discomfort, but the right-hander later underwent an MRI that revealed a more precise diagnosis, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca. The Blue Jays called up right-hander Jay Jackson from Triple-A Buffalo to take over the active roster spot of Swanson, who has picked up three wins, four saves and 28 holds to go with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 67:19 K:BB across 58 innings this season.

Zerpa struck out a batter and allowed one run on one hit while working out of the bullpen in Saturday's 15-2 loss to the Mariners.

Zerpa had started in each of his last two appearances, but he was piggybacked in Tuesday's game against Oakland by Zack Greinke, who was eased back in his return from the injured list with a four-inning relief appearance. Greinke should be ready to take on a more traditional starting role the next time his turn in the rotation comes up during the Royals' upcoming series with the Pirates, so Zerpa appears to have transitioned back into a full-time relief role.

Silseth (head) was released from the hospital Saturday and hasn't been diagnosed with a concussion, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. "I think we avoided something serious, but with head injuries you always want to be cautious," Angels manager Phil Nevin said of Silseth.

Silseth was sent to the hospital for observation after exiting his start in Saturday's 5-3 win in the fourth inning, when he was hit in the head when teammate Trey Cabbage threw the baseball across the diamond. The right-hander was down on the field for several minutes before walking off under his own power, but he was still sent to the hospital, only to be discharged hours later. While Silseth appears to have avoided any concussion symptoms for the time being and is believed to be dealing with only a headache, he's still not guaranteed to make his next turn through the rotation, which would likely fall next weekend in Oakland.

Soriano earned a hold against the Mets on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over two scoreless innings.

Soriano had worked exactly one frame in each of his past seven outings coming into Saturday, but he was tasked with covering two against the Mets with the Angels hanging onto a narrow lead. The rookie reliever was up to the task, retiring the side in order in the seventh inning and working around a hit-by-pitch and a single to keep New York off the scoreboard in the eighth. Soriano has emerged as a key piece of the Angels' bullpen since being called up in early June, posting a 2.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 44:20 K:BB over 32 innings while frequently pitching in high-leverage situations. He ranks second on the team with 13 holds on the campaign.

Estevez picked up a save against the Mets on Saturday with a perfect inning of work.

Estevez had no trouble protecting a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, retiring the side in order on 10 pitches (nine of which were strikes). The right-hander appears to be past a rough start to August during which he blew two saves and gave up nine runs over 2.1 innings across his first three appearances. Since that stretch, Estevez has gone 5-for-5 in save chances while holding his opponent scoreless in six of seven outings and posting a 9:0 K:BB over 7.2 frames.

Cano picked up the save while tossing a perfect inning in Saturday's 5-4 win over Colorado. He didn't record a strikeout.

With Felix Bautista (elbow) being placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a UCL injury during Friday's game, Cano stepped into the closer's role a day later and got the job done. Cano has five saves this season and appears to be the clear favorite to claim Bautista's vacated closing duties.

Silseth is undergoing tests at a hospital after being struck in the back of the head by a throw in Saturday's game versus the Mets, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

First baseman Trey Cabbage was trying to throw a runner out at third base in the fourth inning but hit Silseth before the ball could reach its intended destination. Weston notes that Silseth was alert and speaking before leaving for the hospital and even joked about whether he was covering the right base, which seems like a good sign. The Angels will update the pitcher's status once the results of the tests are in.

Silseth was removed from Saturday's start versus the Mets in the fourth inning after a throw across the infield hit him in the back of the head, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Angels were trying to cut down a runner with a throw from first to third base, but Silseth was in the line of fire and was struck in the back of the head. He was down on the field for several minutes before eventually walking off with a little help. The right-hander is surely set to go through concussion testing. Silseth was charged with two runs on two hits and two walks over 3.1 innings before exiting the game.