MLB Player News

Jefferies (elbow) threw a live batting practice session earlier this week and is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jefferies has been sidelined since early July with right elbow inflammation but is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. Given the length of his absence, he figures to require a handful of rehab appearances before being considered for the Pirates' active roster.

King (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over one inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Padres. He did not record a strikeout.

King got the last out of the sixth inning in relief of Miles Mikolas, but he then stumbled in the seventh. Since the All-Star break, King has a 5.11 ERA and 5:3 K:BB over 12.1 innings while taking two losses and one blown save. While he is regressing, this has still been his best major-league season -- the southpaw has a 3.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB across 39.1 innings while adding seven holds this year.

McArthur (5-5) struck out four over two perfect innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Guardians.

Between Michael Lorenzen's hamstring injury and a rain delay, this contest turned into an impromptu bullpen day for the Royals. They never trailed, and McArthur was deemed the most effective reliever to pick up his first win since June 20. After struggling in the closer role in late July, McArthur has adjusted well to pitching in low-leverage situations. He's on a 9.2-inning scoreless streak dating back to Aug. 5, and he has a 13:1 K:BB in that span. Overall, he's at a 4.36 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB through 53.2 innings, though he likely won't have many chances to add to his 18 saves now that Lucas Erceg is thriving in the ninth inning.

Stratton is expected to be sidelined for 7-to-10 months after undergoing surgery Monday to repair a patella tendon rupture in his left knee, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Stratton suffered the injury over the weekend when he fell awkwardly into the wall while chasing down a wild pitch. Given the timeline provided, he will be a question mark for Opening Day next season.

The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Cruz, 25, was with the Royals briefly earlier this season but didn't make an appearance. He's collected a 3.35 ERA and 55:23 K:BB over 48.1 innings this season with Omaha and is likely to be used in low-leverage situations.

Brash, who continues to rehabilitate from a May 8 internal bracing procedure on his throwing elbow, will visit with the Mariners during the second week of September, MLB.com reports.

As was the case when he dropped by in early August, Brash's visit will allow him to reconnect with the big-league medical and training staff, as well as meet personally with new manager Dan Wilson. Brash was already engaging in plyometric exercises on a trampoline when he was last in Seattle several weeks ago, and there have been no reports of any setbacks as he aims for a pre-All-Star-break return in 2025.

Chargois (2-1) took the loss and was charged with a blown save against the Rays on Tuesday, allowing two earned runs on two hits over one inning. He struck out one.

Chargois was tasked with preserving a thin 1-0 lead when he entered in the seventh, but he subsequently allowed a two-run home run to Jose Siri after retiring the first two batters he faced during the frame. The right-hander has now surrendered a pair of earned runs in two of his last four appearances, rare hiccups in what has otherwise been a strong season for the veteran reliever. Even when factoring in recent struggles, Chargois is sitting on a combined 2.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 24 appearances with the Marlins and Mariners in 2024.

Otanez (1-0) recorded the win over the Reds on Tuesday, firing two-thirds scoreless innings and recording a strikeout.

Otanez inherited a two-on, one-out scenario from starter Mitch Spence in the sixth inning, but he prevented any damage by inducing a foul pop and strikeout from the two batters he faced. The rookie right-hander then became the pitcher of record when Oakland mounted a four-run rally in the seventh and managed to hold on for the victory. Otanez's first big-league win came on the heels of a rough outing against the Brewers on Sunday, when he allowed three runs over 1.1 innings, and he now has scoreless appearances in five of his last seven trips to the mound.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged Wednesday that Brown (neck) is unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list this season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

On the shelf since June 11 with a stress reaction in his neck, Brown resumed throwing shortly after landing on the IL, but he's been shut down on two occasions since then while continuing to experience lingering discomfort. The rookie right-hander remains at the Cubs' complex in Arizona for his rehab program, but he's not yet doing much pitching work and doesn't look like he'll be able to complete a throwing progression within the next month to put himself in position to join Chicago even as a relief option late in the season. Brown generated a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB over 55.1 innings spanning 15 appearances (eight starts) this season prior to suffering the injury. He should be ready to go for spring training and will have a chance to stake claim to a rotation spot.

The Guardians designated Gose for assignment Wednesday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

The 34-year-old lefty reliever has now been dropped from the Guardians' 40-man roster three times within the past three weeks and will most likely clear waivers again and stick around in the Cleveland organization. The Guardians called up lefty Erik Sabrowski to replace Gose on the roster and in the bullpen. Gose has made two appearances for the big club this month, giving up three earned runs on six hits and one walk over 3.1 innings.