MLB Player News

Alzolay (4-4) allowed a run on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in five innings to earn the win Wednesday over San Diego.

The only run against the right-hander was a Ha-Seong Kim RBI single in the fourth inning. Alzolay continues to be effective at limiting baserunners -- he owns a 0.91 WHIP on the season. The 26-year-old has added a 3.62 ERA and 58:11 K:BB across 54.2 innings in 10 starts. Alzolay lines up for a road rematch with San Diego next week.

Kittredge (5-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on a home run and also issued two walks over 1.2 innings, taking the loss in an extra-innings defeat at the hands of the Yankees on Tuesday.

The right-hander went into the outing with a seven-appearance scoreless streak in tow, but that fell apart when he surrendered a game-winning two-run home run to Clint Frazier in the bottom of the 11th after a shaky 10th frame when he'd navigated around two walks. Kittredge still hasn't been charged with more than one earned run in 19 appearances this season, however, and he sports an impressive 1.38 and 0.92 WHIP across 26 innings.

Brasier (calf) threw Wednesday and will pitch a simulated game Friday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The righty continues to progress in his recovery from a left calf strain and appears close to beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester. After an inconsistent 2019, Brasier flashed signs of improvement last year and could earn a considerable role in the Red Sox bullpen upon returning.

Harvey (oblique) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list this weekend, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Although manager Brandon Hyde didn't specify which day Harvey will be activated, the right-hander is nearing his 2021 debut after he missed the start of the year due to a strained left oblique. In four appearances (one start) during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk, he's posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 6.1 innings. Harvey could be in the mix for save chances once he rejoins the major-league bullpen.

Kowar was named the Triple-A East pitcher of the month Wednesday after he went 5-0 with a 1.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings in his first five starts of the season.

The Royals already gave Daniel Lynch a look at the big-league level earlier this season, and Kowar is putting himself in position to be the next high-profile pitching prospect to earn a call-up. Kansas City currently has Ervin Santana filling in as its No. 5 starter while Danny Duffy (forearm) is on the shelf, but the 38-year-old isn't viewed as anything more than a temporarily option for a 27-26 Royals squad that was beginning to fade from the wild-card race prior to its ongoing three-game winning streak. Expect Kansas City to eventually make developing its younger options a greater priority as the season unfolds, making the 24-year-old Kowar an attractive pitcher to stash in deeper leagues.

Megill (forearm) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Megill completed his rehab assignment Tuesday when he tossed 1.1 scoreless innings for Triple-A Iowa. He's tossed two scoreless innings with the major-league club this season but will remain with the Triple-A club for now.

Leone allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning in Tuesday's 8-1 loss to the Angels.

Leone kept the blowout from getting worse in the ninth inning of the loss. The veteran right-hander last appeared in the majors with Cleveland, where he had an 8.38 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 9.2 innings last season. He'll likely begin his San Francisco career in a low-leverage relief role.

Menez pitched two perfect innings and struck out two in Tuesday's 8-1 loss to the Angels.

Menez hadn't pitched very efficiently in four appearances with Triple-A Sacramento, but his season debut for San Francisco went smoothly. The 26-year-old may not stay on the major-league roster for long, but he'll serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Lowther will be recalled by the Orioles on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lowther was scheduled to start for Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, but he'll instead rejoin the Orioles to serve as a long-relief option. Since starter Matt Harvey is pitching on three days' rest in Wednesday's game against the Twins, he's not expected to work deep into the contest, which could pave the way for Lowther to serve as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen. In three starts since he was optioned to Triple-A, Lowther posted a 7.15 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 11.1 innings.

Nelson (forearm) threw a batting practice session Tuesday and could come off the injured list by the weekend, the Associated Press reports.

Nelson has been on the injured list since May 20, but he has been throwing often enough to potentially return to the club without first embarking on a rehab stint. The right-hander has pitched well in relief for the Dodgers this season, posting a 2.41 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, two holds, one win and a 30:11 K:BB across 18.2 innings.