MLB Player News

Winckowski will start Saturday's game against the Astros, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Cooper Criswell (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday and Nick Pivetta is having his turn in the rotation skipped, so Winckowski will step into the rotation for his first start since July 6. In nine appearances since moving to the bullpen, the 26-year-old right-hander hasn't worked more than 2.2 innings in any appearance and has allowed five earned runs while striking out five batters and walking six over 10.2 total frames. He'll be taking the hill Saturday on just two days' rest, so he'll likely be limited from a workload perspective and could end up being deployed in tandem with Brad Keller, who had been starting for Triple-A Worcester before being recalled Friday.

Richards earned the save during a 6-3 win over the Guardians in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. He struck out one in a perfect ninth inning.

After Jhoan Duran earned the save in the first game of the doubleheader, Richards got the call in the nightcap, setting down Cleveland in order to earn his first save of the year. It's a nice bounce-back effort from Richards, who allowed three runs while issuing five walks in just two-thirds of an inning in his last appearance. Overall, the 31-year-old Richards sports a 4.82 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and 53:29 K:BB across 56 innings between the Twins and Blue Jays this year.

The Nationals optioned Adon to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Since rejoining the Nationals bullpen July 30, Adon has given up three earned runs in just 3.1 innings across four appearances. His Triple-A numbers haven't been spectacular either (5.40 ERA, 1.66 WHIP), but there's still a chance he returns to Washington later in the season if the Nats' bullpen depth runs thin.

The Pirates optioned Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Stratton will end up as the Pirates' roster casualty as Domingo German comes up from Triple-A to give Pittsburgh another long relief option. The 27-year-old Stratton got off to a rough start in the majors this season, though he went unscored upon in five innings during his latest stint with the Pirates.

Green threw a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Athletics.

Green got the job done on only 11 pitches (six strikes). The 33-year-old continues to shine in the closer's role, securing all 11 of his save chances to go along with a 1.67 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 37.2 innings this season.

Bukauskas (triceps) was removed from his rehab appearance at Triple-A Nashville on Friday after getting hit by a comebacker, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Bukauskas took a 98 mph line drive off his arm and had to leave the game after facing just one batter. The 27-year-old righty was making his fourth appearance at Triple-A since resuming his rehab assignment in late July, but his time in the minors figured to be extended as a result of his latest injury.

The Giants optioned Doval to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The decision to send Doval to the minors comes after he gave up three earned runs in one inning and was charged with his fifth blown save Thursday. The 27-year-old righty will attempt to get back on track with Sacramento after recording a 6.75 ERA and 1.83 WHIP through 21.1 innings since June 2. Ryan Walker and Tyler Rogers are likely the favorites to pitch in save situations for the Giants, and Landen Roupp will come up from Triple-A to replenish San Francisco's bullpen depth.

The Giants recalled Roupp from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Roupp will take Camilo Doval's spot on the active roster, marking Roupp's first MLB action since June 30. In 16.1 big-league innings, Roupp has logged a 6.06 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP with a 15:10 K:BB.

Brieske will serve as the Tigers' opener for Friday's contest against the Giants, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Brieske will technically be making his third start of the season Friday. He got roughed up in his last assignment as an opener against the Guardians on July 29, taking the loss while allowing three runs on five hits and striking out one batter across 0.2 frames. Both Brant Hurter and Kenta Maeda are options to serve in bulk relief once Brieske is done for the evening.

Megill (back) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Saturday will mark Megill's first time throwing off a mound since a lower-back injury forced him onto the injured list near the end of July. It remains unclear how far away he is from rejoining Milwaukee's bullpen, but the return of Devin Williams means that Megill will almost certainly be moved into a setup role once he's activated.