MLB Player News

Coulombe (biceps) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and struck out two batters over a scoreless inning.

The reliever is eligible to return from the 15-day injured list Thursday and would appear to be in line to rejoin the Orioles at that time or shortly thereafter. Coulombe has been terrific out of the Orioles bullpen this season, holding a 2.77 ERA and 48:9 K:BB over 39 innings.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Smith's recent bout of ineffectiveness was due to lack of command of his fastball, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "It's kind of been a one-plane pitch instead of working the four different quadrants of the strike zone," the manager said. "We need to get back and locate that fastball. Command, as I've said many times, is more important than velocity."

Smith has blown two saves and sports a 15.19 ERA over his last seven outings. He agreed with the manager that location is the reason for the recent struggles. Bochy did not give a clear answer when discussing the closing role, but the manager had Aroldis Chapman attempt to close Monday's game, which eventually went to extra innings where Smith blew the save. There was a stretch earlier this month when it looked like the back end of the bullpen was set with Josh Sborz, Chapman and Smith, in that order. However, recent events mean fantasy managers should understand that Smith is not guaranteed to close every game. The Rangers are off Wednesday, and the manager hopes the bullpen can reset.

Sewald allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

Sewald again flirted with danger, allowing multiple baserunners for the fourth time in nine outings since he joined the Diamondbacks. He's only paid for it once in a blown save versus the Twins on Aug. 6 -- he's kept runs off the board in his other eight appearances. Sewald is at a 3.00 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 70:19 K:BB with 27 saves in 31 chances over 51 innings this year. He'll need to cut back on the traffic on the basepaths to continue to turn in strong results as the Arizona closer.

Zerpa (1-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Zerpa served as more of an opener, allowing the Royals to ease Zack Greinke back in for his return from an elbow injury. Zerpa ended up giving up all the runs the Athletics scored during his time on the mound, and his future in the rotation for the rest of this season is likely in doubt. He's pitched to a poor 7.16 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 16.1 innings over six appearances (two starts).

May struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

May threw 14 pitches (eight strikes) to submit his second straight clean inning against the Royals. He's pitched three of the last four days, so it's possible he may not be available to close if Wednesday's day game presents a save opportunity. May is at a 4.37 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 29:26 K:BB with 13 saves in 16 chances over 35 innings this season. Lucas Erceg would be the most likely candidate to collect a save chance if May is resting Wednesday.

Harris (3-6) earned the win Tuesday in the Athletics' 5-4 victory over the Royals, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings.

Harris wasn't sharp, throwing 54 of 86 pitches for strikes in the bulk-relief outing, but he was able to keep the Athletics ahead after they took the lead in the second inning. It's an improvement on the eight runs in three innings he gave up Aug. 2 versus the Dodgers in his previous major-league outing. Harris has an uninspiring 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 56:28 K:BB over 63 innings through 14 appearances (six starts) in the majors this year. With Luis Medina (finger) on the injured list, Harris could stick as part of the rotation even if he continues to work behind an opener. Harris is tentatively lined up for a favorable road outing versus the White Sox over the weekend.

Robertson walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Padres.

Robertson took a blown save his last time out, allowing three runs in an inning versus the Dodgers on Saturday. It appears that was just a blip on the radar, as he was in much better form Tuesday while picking up his 18th save in 23 chances this season. The veteran right-hander has allowed multiple runs three times over eight outings in August, but he's still at a 2.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB through 53 innings between the Mets and the Marlins this year.

Diaz picked up the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Angels. He struck out one over a clean inning.

Diaz notched his first save since Aug. 7 -- his longest stretch without a save this season -- by registering a perfect ninth frame. Though Diaz hasn't been a save contributor as of late, he picked up a win in each of his previous two appearances and hasn't allowed a hit in the past 3.2 innings of action. Despite the drought, Diaz remains MLB's leader in saves, and he boasts a 2.30 ERA and a 75:24 K:BB across 54.2 innings.

Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with lower back tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and got two outs while walking three across 25 pitches. He grimaced after throwing a slider in the dirt and then exited the game. While the length of his absence is unclear, it's seemingly a positive that he avoided an arm issue.

Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and was seen grimacing after throwing a slider in the dirt. He left the mound shortly thereafter, but additional details have yet to emerge.