MLB Player News

Kerkering picked up the save in Monday's 4-1 win against the Reds, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

The Philadelphia righty smoothly collected his first save since June 19 in this 10-pitch outing. The Phillies' usual closer, Jhoan Duran, did not appear in Monday's contest after pitching consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday. Kerkering is likely the preferred backup saves option to Duran, as Jordan Romano pitched the seventh Monday (and collected the win) while David Robertson handled the eighth. Across 44.2 total innings, Kerkering sports a 2.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB while tallying three saves.

Scott (elbow) could be cleared to face live hitters at some point next week, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers have yet to reveal a timetable for Scott's activation, but if all goes according to plan, he could take another step forward within the next week. The southpaw was placed on the 15-day injured list July 22 due to left elbow inflammation and looks to be trending toward a late-August return.

Kopech (knee) threw a live batting practice session Monday and could be sent on a rehab assignment soon, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It sounds like the team may wait a day or two to make sure Kopech made it out of Monday's live BP session without any setbacks before sending him on a rehab stint. The right-hander was originally placed on the 15-day injured list July 1 and then transferred to the 60-day IL due to a torn right meniscus, and he appears on track for a late-August return if all continues to go well in his rehab.

The Pirates activated Shugart (knee) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Left knee inflammation had sidelined Shugart since early July, but he's been cleared to return after making three rehab appearances. The righty reliever holds a 3.69 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 39 innings this season, but a 22:15 K:BB is less than ideal.

The Pirates optioned Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Moreta has permitted two runs with a 7:1 K:BB over 4.2 innings during his time with the Pirates this season. He's clearing out to make room on the active roster for the return of Chase Shugart (knee).

The Royals placed Harvey on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right adductor strain.

Harvey has yet to allow a run this season, but he's been limited to just 12 relief appearances due to a shoulder injury and now an adductor strain. He will be eligible for activation Aug. 26, but it's unclear whether he'll have a chance to be ready at that time.

The Diamondbacks claimed Varland (undisclosed) off waivers from the White Sox on Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Reno.

Varland hasn't pitched since June 28 due to an undisclosed injury but will give the Diamondbacks some experienced relief depth once he's available to pitch. The righty has put up a 4.82 ERA and 47:24 K:BB over 46.2 innings in parts of two major-league seasons.

The Red Sox designated Burdi for assignment Monday.

He will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to left-hander Jovani Moran, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester ahead of Monday's series opener in Houston. The 32-year-old Burdi had made just four relief appearances for Boston this season but has pitched well for Worcester, logging a 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB across 24 innings.

The Diamondbacks recalled Morillo from Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Morillo has made 31 appearances out of the Diamondbacks bullpen this season, posting a 4.94 ERA and 28:16 K:BB over 27.1 innings. The 26-year-old could work his way into high-leverage appearances as part of an unsettled bullpen, although he's unlikely to be in the mix for save chances right away.

The Red Sox optioned Murphy to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Murphy spent the first three months on the injured list while completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery before being activated in late June. Over 14 appearances out of the Boston bullpen, Murphy submitted a 3.05 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB in 20.2 innings while being used mainly in lower-leverage spots. His demotion likely has less to do with his performance than it does Boston's desire to bring in a fresh arm, as Murphy had pitched three of the past five days while covering three innings in total. Boston called up left-hander Jovani Moran from Triple-A to replace Murphy in the bullpen.