MLB Player News

Uceta won't appeal the three-game suspension issued by Major League Baseball and will begin serving the ban in Wednesday's series finale in Philadelphia, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Uceta was issued the suspension after he was ejected in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 9-4 loss to the Phillies when umpires determined that he intentionally hit Nick Castellanos with a pitch. In addition to sitting out Wednesday, Uceta will miss games Thursday and Friday in Cleveland before he's eligible to return for the penultimate game of the series Saturday.

The Athletics selected Muller's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Muller was outrighted off the 40-man roster last month but has made his way back on after posting a 4.43 ERA and 12:5 K:BB over 20.1 innings at Las Vegas. Three of Muller's four appearances with Las Vegas were starts, and he went a combined 13 innings his last two times out. However, while he's stretched out to start, if needed, it's not clear what role the Athletics have planned for him.

Beeks earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Marlins, allowing one hit in one-third of an inning.

After Aroldis Chapman pitched in Tuesday's contest, David Bednar was initially called upon to close out a 3-0 lead Wednesday. However, the Pirates would turn to Beeks with two outs in the ninth to face the left-handed Kyle Stowers after Bednar gave up a run on a pair of hits. Beeks would allow an infield hit to Stowers that loaded the bases before inducing a flyout from Xavier Edwards to close out a two-run victory. It's the 10th save of the year for the 31-year-old Beeks, his first since joining the Pirates from the Rockies at the trade deadline. Beeks has pitched well for Pittsburgh, posting a 2.30 ERA across 15.2 innings, though he's still likely behind Chapman, Bednar and Dennis Santana in the Pirates' bullpen hierarchy.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Roycroft struck out a pair while retiring all five batters he faced in Tuesday's loss to the Reds, but he'll continue to bounce back and forth between St. Louis and Memphis, as he's done often this season. Wednesday's starter, Lance Lynn (knee), was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Major League Baseball issued a three-game suspension to Uceta on Wednesday after he was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Phillies in the eighth inning when he hit Nick Castellanos with a pitch, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rays manager Kevin Cash was also handed a one-game suspension. Uceta was charged with three runs while retiring just one batter before getting tossed from the contest after umpires determined he intentionally hit Castellanos with a pitch. Uceta is one of four different Rays relievers to pick up at least one save since Pete Fairbanks (lat) went on the injured list last month.

Leasure (shoulder) made his second rehab appearance for Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, striking out one and issuing one walk and giving up no hits over a scoreless inning.

Leasure began his rehab assignment last Friday and turned in a 1-2-3 inning for Charlotte that day before following up Tuesday with another strong appearance. On the shelf since July 20 with a right shoulder impingement, Leasure looks like he could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend and rejoin the bullpen. He'll be a candidate to fill a high-leverage role and could even factor into the closer picture, but save opportunities will likely be few and far between for the 33-113 White Sox down the stretch.

Atlanta designated Herget for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for utility man Cavan Biggio, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett. After being acquired from the Angels in early May, Herget made eight appearances out of Atlanta bullpen, logging a 4.38 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 12.1 innings. He was optioned to Gwinnett on Aug. 19 and will likely stick around with the Triple-A club if he clears waivers.

Atlanta recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Hernandez has spent most of this season at Gwinnett but has been terrific in 10 appearances in the majors, collecting a 0.82 ERA and 14:6 K:BB over 11 frames. He will operate as a middle reliever.

Uceta allowed three earned runs on four hits while recording only one out Tuesday against the Phillies.

Uceta entered the game in the eighth inning with the score knotted at 4-4 and runners on second and third. He allowed three of the next four batters he faced to reach base on a double, single and homer, pushing the game out of reach for the Rays. Uceta avoided a loss because Richard Lovelady allowed the inherited runners on base, but it was still a disastrous outing. Even factoring in Tuesday's results, Uceta has a 1.62 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with a 27:3 K:BB in 16.2 innings since Aug. 1.

Chavez (2-2) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one hit over three scoreless innings of relief in a 12-0 victory over the Nationals. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The 41-year-old righty took the mound to begin the second inning after Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) was removed from the game. Chavez has been erratic in the second half, posting a 5.28 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings since the beginning of August, and Chavez's low-leverage, middle-relief role gives him minimal fantasy upside. Should Lopez miss any starts to close out the regular season, Chavez isn't likely to be considered as a rotation replacement, other than as part of a bullpen day.