MLB Player News

Rojas struck out four and scattered four hits and two walks over three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Royals.

Rojas tossed four scoreless frames in a start against the Athletics in his last appearance over the weekend, but he shifted back to a relief role this week after Connor Prielipp (finger) returned from the injured list to fill the open spot in the rotation. Rojas, a 23-year-old lefty, mopped up after starter Joe Ryan covered the first six innings, and the former trimmed his ERA down to 2.51 for the season. Ryan is expected to be a sought-after commodity ahead of Monday's trade deadline, and if he ends up getting moved, Rojas could be first in line to join the Minnesota rotation.

Williams recorded his 15th save of the season in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Airbender needed 18 pitches (12 strikes) to protect a 3-2 lead, giving up a two-out single to Mauricio Dubon before fanning Austin Riley to end the matinee. Williams has had a bumpy first season with the Mets, and even though he's produced a 2.70 ERA and 20:6 K:BB over 16.2 innings since the beginning of June, his 1.56 WHIP and 3.2 BB/9 contributed to blowing two of his nine save chances during that span.

Manaea didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The veteran lefty tossed 59 of 89 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight quality start and fourth of the season, but the Mets didn't push the winning run across the plate until the seventh inning. Manaea continues to put together a remarkable turnaround on his season -- he sat with a 6.26 ERA on May 17 and had been demoted to the bullpen, but since the beginning of June he's delivered a 3.75 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 50:15 K:BB over 57.2 innings while reclaiming a spot in the rotation. Manaea is set to make his next trip to the mound on the road next week in Cleveland.

Iglesias recorded his 22nd save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, working a perfect ninth inning without striking out a batter.

Chris Sale blanked New York for six innings before handing things off to his bullpen, and Iglesias wrapped up the combined shutout on just eight pitches, all strikes. It was a strong rebound for the veteran closer after he blew his last save chance Sunday, but Iglesias will probably be happy to see the calendar flip to August -- over 11 appearances in July, he's been charged with at least one run five times, stumbling to a 5.06 ERA in 10.2 innings despite a respectable 1.13 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB.

The Athletics outrighted Hartlieb to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Hartlieb has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, but he already accepted an outright assignment earlier this month and could do so again. The reliever has allowed nine runs with a 6:9 K:BB over 13.1 frames during his time with the Athletics this season.

Winn is slated to serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher in Thursday's game against the Rays.

The Rangers are treating the series finale in Tampa as a bullpen day, with Winn likely to work the first inning or two before exiting the contest. Marco Gonzales hasn't pitched since making a three-inning appearance July 21 in his Rangers debut and could be tasked with covering multiple frames behind Winn.

Milner (abdomen) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning.

Milner has been sidelined a little more than a month following an emergency appendectomy. It's unclear whether the Cubs have additional rehab appearances planned for the lefty, but his reinstatement from the 15-day injured list should come soon.

Franco (forearm) has been shut down from throwing for a minimum of two weeks, MLB.com reports.

Franco was called up to the roster for Tuesday's doubleheader and pitched 3.2 innings before departing with discomfort in his right forearm. The report indicates the source of the problem is a flexor mass strain, and not his elbow as originally reported.

Santillan (oblique) will undergo additional imaging Friday, MLB.com reports.

The purpose of the imaging is to determine how Santillan is healing, and the Reds hope to speed up his rehab based on the results of testing. He's been throwing off flat ground at 40 percent intensity.

Weissert struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-2 extra-inning win over the Athletics.

Weissert got the call for the 10th inning after Aroldis Chapman was utilized to keep the game tied in the ninth. Weissert has allowed four runs with a 9:1 K:BB over 10 innings in July, but he's also scooped up three wins this month. On the year, he has a 4.04 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 40:12 K:BB through 42.1 innings while adding a save, five holds and two blown saves. He's not a realistic threat to Chapman's status as the Red Sox's closer.