MLB Player News

Sousa will serve as the opening pitcher during Saturday's game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Sousa gave up four earned runs while recording just one out during his last appearance Wednesday, but the Astros will trust him to work the first inning of Saturday's contest in what will be the left-hander's first career start. Cristian Javier is expected to work in bulk relief once Sousa comes out of the game.

The Diamondbacks optioned Burgos to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Burgos has pitched 1.2 shutout innings since coming up from the minors Monday, but he'll end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Kohl Drake, who was recalled from Reno to start Friday's game versus San Francisco. Burgos has now given up one run in 4.1 major-league innings this year and could still return to Arizona down the stretch to provide bullpen depth.

Armstrong (calf) threw a bullpen session Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Armstrong was recently cleared to begin a throwing progression, a good indication that he is recovering from a left calf strain that landed him on the injured list in late July. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 4, but he could be back on the Guardians' major-league roster right before the end of the regular season in mid-to-late September.

The Red Sox are expected to activate Whitlock (elbow) from the injured list before one of the games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock landed on the injured list Aug. 13 with right elbow inflammation, but he's made a quick recovery and won't need to spend any time in the minors before rejoining Boston's bullpen. The 30-year-old has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career while working as the Sox's premier setup man this year, posting a 2.05 ERA and 0.89 WHIP alongside a 49:7 K:BB across 44 innings.

The Cubs placed Milner on outright waivers Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Feinsand previously reported that Milner was designated for assignment, but the 35-year-old southpaw has actually been placed on waivers, allowing another team to claim him. Milner is on the 15-day injured list after undergoing an appendectomy, but he could garner interest from a team seeking an extra left-hander for its bullpen. Milner has a 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, six holds and an 18:9 K:BB over 35.2 innings this season.

The Athletics optioned Rom to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The move corresponds with Jose Suarez (hip) being activated from the 15-day injured list. Rom made seven appearances out of the A's bullpen since being recalled Aug. 12, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings. He'll head back down to Triple-A, where he has 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB over 40 innings.

The Athletics reinstated Suarez (hip) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Suarez has fully recovered from a right hip strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list Aug. 12. He'll return to the Athletics' bullpen with a 5.22 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, three holds and a 60:25 K:BB over 58.2 innings across three teams this season. Drew Rom was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

The Twins designated Go for assignment Friday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Walker Jenkins. Go surrendered four runs over four innings of work with the Twins earlier this season and has been knocked around for 13 runs across 8.1 frames with St. Paul.

The Rangers recalled Macko from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Macko will come up for his first stint with the big-league club since being traded from Toronto on Aug. 3. With Round Rock, the 25-year-old has posted a 5.63 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB over eight innings. Texas demoted Robby Ahlstrom to Triple-A to make room for Macko in the bullpen.

The Blue Jays recalled Van Eyk from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

He's grabbing the roster spot vacated by Simeon Woods Richardson, who was designated for assignment. Van Eyk last pitched for Buffalo on Sunday, throwing four innings in a start, so he is rested and will give the Toronto bullpen some long relief protection.