MLB Player News

Moll was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The 29-year-old has been in the minors since later July and will rejoin the A's with Frankie Montas (visa issues) heading to the restricted list. Moll hasn't given up a run in 2.2 big-league innings this season and should fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Otto is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Angels.

Otto will earn a second turn through the rotation after he held the Astros scoreless while striking out seven en route to taking a no-decision in his MLB debut Aug. 27. Texas will eventually get Dane Dunning, Mike Foltynewicz and Spencer Howard back from the COVID-19 injured to potentially take back rotation spots, but Otto should still have a good case to stick around in a starting role if he turns in another solid outing versus the Angels.

Alexander will remain in the rotation and serve as a traditional starter Friday in Cincinnati, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Tigers deployed Alexander as a bulk reliever Aug. 28, when Jose Urena was reinstated from the 10-day injured list to start the contest. With Urena having since made a relief appearance Wednesday, Alexander looks on track to fill a normal starting role moving forward. Before the relief appearance his last time out, Alexander had worked at least five innings in each of his prior three starts.

Almonte (1-3) was tagged with the loss in relief Thursday against Atlanta after allowing three runs on three hits across 1.1 innings.

Almonte retired Jorge Soler to close the fourth inning, but he wasn't effective in the fifth and allowed the three runs that let Atlanta turn things around on a sacrifice fly by Dansby Swanson that scored Freddie Freeman, and a two-run home run by Adam Duvall. Almonte had tossed three straight scoreless appearances before this outing, and he owns a 3.95 ERA across 13.2 innings (10 games) since the beginning of August.

Smith picked up the save Thursday against the Rockies after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Smith has closed the door in each of his last seven appearances and seems to have bounced back after going 1-for-3 in save opportunities over a five-day stretch last month (Aug. 7 to Aug. 11). While Smith has given up runs in three of his last six appearances, he remains a reliable arm for Atlanta and his role as the closer isn't in any sort of danger. He has gone 30-for-34 in save chances on the season while posting a 3.76 ERA across 55 innings (58 appearances).

Webb (2-2) earned the win Thursday against the Rockies after tossing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander made his first appearance since being recalled earlier this week and was in complete control, tossing 18 of his 26 pitches for strikes and cruising through the middle frames after Touki Toussaint's short three-inning outing. Webb has been up and down between Triple-A and the big-league roster over the last few months, but he has not allowed an earned run in any of his last six appearances at the highest level dating back to May 21.

Clase picked up the save Thursday against the Royals after allowing one run on two hits across one inning. He didn't strike out or walk anyone.

Clase ended a streak of 20 straight scoreless appearances that dated back to July 17, but he still got the job done. He's been perfect in nine straight save opportunities and has gone 20-for-24 on the year while also posting career-best numbers in both ERA (1.54) and WHIP (1.03) across 60 appearances (58.1 innings).

Thompson (3-3) did not factor into the decision Thursday, surrendering three runs across 1.2 innings on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts in a win over the Pirates.

The rookie right-hander drew his fourth start of the season and surrendered a first-inning home run to Colin Moran before getting an early hook. Working primarily as a reliever, Thompson holds a 3.54 ERA across 48.1 innings this season with a 48:28 K:BB. Should he remain in the rotation, his next start is scheduled to come next week against the Reds.

Sierra was released by the Dodgers on Thursday, freelance writer Francys Romero reports.

Los Angeles gave Sierra a six-year, $30 million contract back in 2016, but the Cuban right-hander hasn't panned out. Sierra pitched 16.1 innings for the organization's Triple-A club this season, posting a 13.78 ERA and 2.98 WHIP across 16.1 innings.

Rogers (5-1) struck out the side in a perfect inning to earn the win Thursday over Milwaukee.

The right-hander needed just 13 pitches (10 strikes) in the eighth inning, and San Francisco pulled ahead with a four-run rally in the bottom of the frame to make him the pitcher of record. Rogers has given up three runs in 16 innings since the start of August, adding 12 strikeouts, three wins, a save and six holds in that span. For the year, he owns a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB across 65 innings while primarily operating as a setup man.