MLB Player News

Smith (1-5) blew a save and took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

There may be some noise around the fact that Texas manager Bruce Bochy elected to go to Aroldis Chapman rather than Smith with the Rangers up 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, though Chapman was unable to seal the deal. When the Rangers took a two-run lead in the top of the 11th, Smith got his save opportunity after all, but he also blew it, allowing back-to-back two-out doubles to allow three runs to cross the plate. It's been a rough stretch of late for the veteran reliever, as he's posted a 15.19 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and two blown saves over his past seven outings. Chapman, by contrast, has allowed just one run while registering a 19:3 K:BB over 10 innings through 10 appearances in August, so Monday's developments may be more than just a one-game thing, though there's been no official word of Smith moving out of the closer role.

Chapman blew a save against the Diamondbacks on Monday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters over two innings.

With Texas ahead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth, it was Chapman who got the call from the bullpen to close things out. He couldn't do so, allowing a game-tying solo home run to Ketel Marte with one out. Chapman did settle down from there to finish that frame and the 10th without allowing any more runs, and he looked to be in line for the win when Texas scored twice in the top of the 11th. However, Will Smith -- who has been working as the Rangers' primary closer of late -- coughed up three two-out runs to blow a save opportunity of his own. Smith has blown two of five save chances over his past seven outings while posting a 15.19 ERA and 2.25 WHIP, so Chapman could be in line for more ninth-inning opportunities, though there hasn't yet been any word of a changing of the guard between the duo.

Weathers (1-8) took the loss against San Diego on Monday, allowing five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings.

Weathers made his second start since the Padres traded him to Miami on Aug. 1, but neither outing has gone well. The southpaw has had trouble finding the strike zone in each outing, walking four batters against Texas on Aug. 5 and five versus San Diego on Monday. The walks were particularly harmful in the second inning, as Weathers loaded the bases on three straight one-out free passes before serving up a grand slam to Ha-Seong Kim. Weathers has surrendered 11 runs over seven frames while taking a pair of losses in two starts since joining Miami, making it hard to see him continuing in the rotation with the team still battling for a wild-card spot.

The Red Sox optioned Murphy to Triple-A Worcester following Monday's 9-4 loss to the Astros, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Murphy allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out four over four innings of long relief Monday. He's now given up 11 runs over his last four appearances (10.1 innings) and will head to the minors. The Red Sox will reinstate Tanner Houck (face) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Tuesday to fill Murphy's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Assad did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Assad has been pitching well since filling in for Marcus Stroman (ribs) in Chicago's rotation, working to a 2.45 ERA in his last three starts (18.1 innings). Overall, the 26-year-old Assad is 2-2 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 53:30 K:BB across 72 innings this season. He's currently lined up to make his next start on the road against the Pirates.

Brieske (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits across an inning of work to take the loss Monday against the Cubs.

Brieske had been fairly sharp before Monday, as he entered the contest with a tidy 2.12 ERA over 17 innings of work. The righty had also only allowed one run this month, but the Cubs got to him in the ninth inning, pushing his ERA to 3.00 for the season. Brieske should stick in a high-leverage relief role for the Tigers despite the hiccup.

Leiter allowed a run on two hits but managed to secure the save in Monday's 7-6 win over the Tigers. He struck out one.

Regular closer Adbert Alzolay pitched each of the last two days, so the Cubs bypassed him for the save opportunity and turned to Leiter. It was the latter's fourth save of the season, though it was his first since June 2, as Alzolay has established himself in the role. Leiter should still serve as a reliable setup option moving forward.

Harris could be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas this week to join Oakland's rotation, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Outside of a few brief stretches, Harris has had little success at both the big-league and Triple-A levels this season, but he looks poised to get another look in Oakland with yet another starter in Luis Medina (finger) going on the injured list Monday. The Athletics now have openings in the rotation for games Tuesday and Wednesday against the Royals, and Harris could be a candidate to start either of those days. Harris is well rested after having not pitched at Triple-A since Aug. 15.

Weathers was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The Marlins listed Weathers as the starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Padres, and he will indeed toe the rubber as expected. Between the majors and minors Weathers has tossed at least 95 pitches in five straight outings, so his workload should not concern those considering including him in fantasy lineups.

Helsley (forearm) "is undergoing another round of tests and evaluation," according to John Denton of MLB.com.

Per the report, Helsley "has experienced pain and tightness between each of his four rehab appearances" this month, so he will be checked out again by the Cardinals' medical staff. Another update on his status figures to be released after the exams are performed.