MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Keller to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Keller made one extended relief appearance during his most recent stint in the majors, allowing three runs over four frames and taking a loss against the Astros on Saturday. He will likely re-enter Worcester's rotation.

Woodford will start Monday's game in San Diego, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Lefty Marco Gonzales had been on turn to start Monday, but he faced the Padres his last time out and was touched up for five runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. Whether Gonzales makes a start later in the series or is held back for the weekend set against the Mariners isn't clear, but Woodford will pick up his second start of the season with Pittsburgh on Monday. Over his three appearances since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in late July, Woodford has allowed seven runs (four earned) with a 5:0 K:BB over 8.2 innings.

Holmes earned a save against the Rangers on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two batters over 1.1 innings.

New York carried an 8-3 lead into the eighth frame before reliever Mark Leiter surrendered three runs on three hits and allowed the tying run to come to the plate in the form of Corey Seager. Holmes entered at that point and got Seager to ground out to squelch the threat, and the closer then began the ninth with two straight punchouts. However, he almost let things get away from him, as Holmes proceeded to issue two straight walks followed by an Adolis Garcia RBI single. Texas' rally ended up falling just short when the next batter, Leody Taveras, grounded out. Holmes thus established a new career high with 25 saves, though he's also blown a career-worst nine saves on the season.

Taylor fired a scoreless ninth inning in a win over the Mets on Sunday, allowing a walk and recording two strikeouts.

The precocious rookie was impressive in his big-league debut, which came after a promotion straight from Double-A Arkansas. Taylor wrapped up his first frame in the majors in signature fashion, recording swinging strikeouts of Luis Torrens and Tyrone Taylor to close out Seattle's 11-run victory. Taylor's above-average ability to miss bats earned him plenty of high-leverage work at Arkansas thus far this minor-league season, but his initial assignments in the majors will likely continue to be of the low-leverage variety.

The Twins reinstated Okert (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.

Right-hander Randy Dobnak was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for Okert, who was away from the team for the past week while tending to the personal matter. Okert has mostly operated as a middle-relief arm for the Twins this season, logging a 4.45 ERA and 1.48 WHIP to go with three wins, one save and six holds over 30.1 innings.

The Twins optioned Dobnak to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Dobnak wasn't going to be available for at least a day or two after throwing three scoreless relief innings in Sunday's loss to the Guardians. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to left-hander Steven Okert (personal), who was reinstated from the bereavement list.

Atlanta recalled Lee from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Lee will give the bullpen another left-hander with A.J. Minter (hip) going on the 15-day injured list. The 30-year-old has been terrific during his time in the majors this season, posting a 2.00 ERA and 49:14 K:BB across 45 relief innings.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Romano (elbow) is "progressing well" and is "feeling good" following his July 3 arthroscopic surgery, but the right-hander has yet to restart a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the injured list June 1 due to a right elbow inflammation, Romano twice had his throwing program shut down before he eventually required a procedure to repair an impingement. Though the Blue Jays seem satisfied with Romano's condition five weeks after surgery, he likely won't be rushed back into action, especially with Toronto out of playoff contention. Romano hasn't been ruled out from pitching again this season, but once he starts throwing again, the Blue Jays will have to wait and see how the 31-year-old's elbow responds before mapping out a potential target date for his return from the IL.

Atlanta placed Minter on the 15-day injured list Monday with left hip inflammation.

It's the same injury that caused him to miss more than a month of action earlier this season. Atlanta hasn't provided a timeline for Minter to return from his latest hip injury, but the club will now be without him until at least late August. Dylan Lee was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Minter's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

Waguespack (shoulder/back) is hopeful to resume throwing bullpen sessions by Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation, Waguespack was cleared to make a rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 25, only to fall victim to a lower-back issue that has kept him from pitching in a game ever since. He received injections Aug. 5 to address the back issue, and assuming the shots had the desired effect, Waguespack will take the next step forward in his throwing program by getting back on the mound this week. Even though the Rays likely envision Waguespack serving as a multi-inning reliever rather than a starter when he returns from the IL, he'll still likely need multiple weeks to complete a throwing progression and minor-league rehab assignment.