MLB Player News

Littell is listed as the Rays' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Littell has already made four starts this season, but on each of the first three occasions, he covered no more than 3.1 innings while operating as more of an opening pitcher. In his most recent start Sunday in Houston, however, Littell covered a season-high five innings, striking out four while allowing two runs on eight hits. Based on the workload he handled, Littell looks like he could be getting stretched out for a more traditional starting role, especially now that Tampa Bay has a spot in the rotation open after Taj Bradley was optioned to Triple-a Durham on Monday. Erasmo Ramirez worked three innings behind Littell on Sunday, so it's possible the two pitchers work in tandem again Thursday if Ramirez isn't needed out of the bullpen Tuesday or Wednesday.

St. Louis recalled Thompson from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Thompson was just sent down last week, but he's back now with the Cardinals dealing away parts ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. The 25-year-old left-hander carries a disappointing 5.06 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 16 innings of relief this season at the major-league level.

Kittredge (elbow) has thrown 8.2 innings on his rehab assignment and is hoping to return in mid-to-late August, MLB.com reports.

Kittredge has been with Triple-A Durham for each of his last six appearances. He allowed six earned runs across just one-third of an inning in an outing July 23 but has otherwise been effective. Even so, the Rays will continue to take a patient approach as Kittredge returns from Tommy John surgery.

Farmer (3-4) was credited with Monday's win over the Cubs. He struck out two over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings.

Farmer replaced starter Andrew Abbott with one out in the fourth inning and retired all four batters faced, including a double play to escape the fourth. The outing was Farmer's 50th of the season, tying him for third most in majors along with fellow Cincinnati bullpen mates Ian Gibaut and Alexis Diaz. The right-handed Farmer endured a rough patch early in July but has righted himself with three runs allowed and 11 strikeouts over the last 9.1 innings.

Pressly earned a save against the Guardians on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Entering the ninth frame, it looked like Pressly's services might not be needed, as Houston held a comfortable 7-2 lead. However, Ryne Stanek allowed Cleveland to load the bases without recording an out, resulting in Pressly's entrance. The veteran closer quelled the threat, allowing an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly but otherwise shutting the Guardians down. Though Pressly's 3.17 ERA and 9.5 K/9 are slightly less impressive than what he's registered over the past several seasons, he continues to be among the game's best closers, recording 25 saves in 29 chances on the campaign. He's also benefiting from playing for a playoff contender, as the save was his ninth of the month of July.

Lawrence allowed a run on three hits and struck out one over 1.2 innings to take a blown save in Monday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Padres.

Lawrence escaped a jam he inherited from Daniel Bard in the eighth inning, but he proceeded to give up a solo home run to Trent Grisham in the ninth. This was Lawrence's second blown save in his last three outings, which could be bad news for his ability to retain the closer role. The right-hander is 8-for-11 in save chances with eight holds, a 2.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 56:24 K:BB through 54.2 innings overall.

Diaz struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Cubs on Monday.

Diaz faced the top of Chicago's order with Cincinnati clinging to a one-run ninth-inning and made things look easy, throwing all nine of his pitches for a strike to retire the side in order. The fireballer finished July having converted all 10 of his save opportunities, allowing just three earned runs over 11.1 innings and posting an 11:1 K:BB. Diaz has emerged as one of the league's elite closers in his second big-league campaign, leading the majors with 32 saves and posting a 12.9 K/9 over 50 appearances.

Rogers (5-4) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk over one inning to take the loss in extra innings versus the Diamondbacks. He did not record a strikeout.

The Giants were able to rally from behind to tie the game in the 10th inning, but they didn't have a second comeback in them. Rogers saw his 6.1-inning scoreless streak come to a close. Since he only gave up an unearned run, he didn't do damage to his ERA, which is at 2.65 with a 1.10 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB through 37.1 innings this season. Rogers has added six holds and a save while filling a versatile role that often sees him picking up late-inning work.

Junis allowed a hit and struck out three without walking a batter over three scoreless innings in Monday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to Arizona. He did not factor in the decision.

Junis started for the first time in 28 appearances this season, and he delivered a solid, albeit short, outing. Alex Wood piggybacked Junis and gave up two runs over 2.2 innings. Junis has had mostly mixed results as a multi-inning reliever this season, posting a 4.55 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 69:17 K:BB through 59.1 innings. He's had little middle ground lately, allowing multiple runs in six of his last 12 outings while posting scoreless appearances in the other six games in that span. The right-hander may continue to get looks as an opener on piggyback option, but it's unlikely the Giants would stretch him out as a traditional starter this late in the year.

McGough struck out two without putting a runner on base to earn the save in Monday's 4-3 win over the Giants in 11 innings.

McGough uncorked a wild pitch that moved the initial runner to third base, but that was his only mistake. The save was his ninth of the year and his second in a row, but McGough's chances to close are likely to dry up following Arizona's trade for Paul Sewald. McGough has a 4.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB with 13 holds and four blown saves over 52.1 innings -- he should be able to maintain a setup role, and his strikeout upside could keep him on the fantasy radar in NL-only formats.