MLB Player News

Marsh will serve as the Royals' bulk reliever behind opener Steven Cruz in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Marsh remains part of Kansas City's rotation, but he's started in just two of his last six outings. The Royals seem content to continue deploying him as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen, given that he's been far more effective in that capacity than as a traditional starter. In 20.2 innings coming out of the bullpen, Marsh owns a 3.05 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 15.1 K-BB%.

Kluber (shoulder) allowed two hits and struck out two over 2.2 scoreless innings for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

Kluber threw 23 strikes among his 35 pitches. This was his second rehab outing, and the right-hander has not allowed a run or walk. He's expected to pitch out of the bullpen after being activated off the injured list.

Crawford came away with a no-decision in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

While it wasn't the most efficient performance, as Crawford needed 93 pitches (57 strikes) to record 14 outs, he wasn't the reason the Red Sox went on to get swept in the twin bill. The right-hander has failed to last longer than five innings in any of his last four starts, stumbling to a 7.88 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB through 16 innings over that stretch, but Boston doesn't have any better rotation options to close out the campaign.

Means (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings against St. Louis. He struck out one without issuing any walks.

Following a 517-day absence due to elbow and back injuries, Means threw 75 pitches (55 strikes), surrendering two solo home runs and a sacrifice fly. Unfortunately, the Orioles' offense wasn't up for the occasion, and the 30-year-old was charged with the loss in his season debut. It was an encouraging outing, given the circumstances, but Means was only able to generate eight swinging strikes and record one strikeout Tuesday. An All-Star who finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting to Yordan Alvarez in 2019, Means was chosen as Baltimore's Opening Day starter in 2021 and 2022 before multiple injuries caused a lengthy sabbatical for the southpaw. If he's able to regain some of his past form, Means could prove to be a valuable fantasy asset down the stretch. Baltimore's current six-man rotation means his next start is likely to come early next week in Houston.

Scherzer (triceps) will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, Julia Kreuz of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer was forced to leave Tuesday's game after 73 pitches due to the sensation he felt in his right shoulder and upper arm. The triceps issue is different from the right forearm tightness Scherzer experienced recently, but the right-hander postulated there could be a connection. More will be learned following Wednesday's MRI.

Rodon (3-5) picked up the win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out nine.

The nine strikeouts were a season high for the veteran southpaw, who generated 16 swinging strikes among his 93 pitches. Rodon also walked more than two batters for the first time since Aug. 1 though, and he served up at least one homer for the seventh straight outing, in this case the first career long ball for rookie Ceddanne Rafaela. Since returning to the rotation in late August after recovering from a hamstring issue, Rodon has a 4.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 24.1 innings, numbers which represent a marginal improvement on his performance through his first six starts as a Yankee. He'll try to build on this performance when he next takes the mound, which is likely to happen this weekend in Pittsburgh.

Brito (7-7) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, allowing three hits and a walk over 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. He struck out two.

Randy Vasquez got the start and looked good through three innings, but when he began to fade in the fourth, Brito stepped in and was even more effective, firing 29 of 38 pitches for strikes. The two rookie right-handers combined for what would have qualified as a quality start from a single pitcher -- two earned runs over six frames -- and the Yankees may consider keeping them together in a tandem arrangement to fill their fifth starter spot over the final weeks of the season. Brito is thriving in his current long-relief role, grabbing three wins in his last five appearances while posting a 1.29 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB through 14 innings.

Vasquez did not factor into the decision in a Yankees win during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

The 24-year-old blanked Boston for three innings before fading in the fourth, exiting after 60 pitches (40 strikes). Vasquez was working in a tandem with Jhony Brito, who wound up getting the win, and the two rookie right-handers combined for what was effectively a quality start -- two earned runs over six innings between them. The duo's effectiveness could encourage the Yankees to keep them together in a rotation slot, though neither one might be available when New York next needs a starter Saturday in Pittsburgh. Vasquez has a 2.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB through his first 30.1 big-league innings.

Woo (3-4) allowed four hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over 5.2 shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Angels.

Woo received some extra rest between starts, and it seems that paid off for the Mariners. He threw 67 of 83 pitches for strikes, and just one of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases. The rookie right-hander has won two of his last three outings, allowing five runs over 16.2 innings in that span. He's at a 4.16 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 76:22 K:BB through 75.2 innings over 15 starts. Woo's tentatively projected for a favorable road start in Oakland next week, though it's unclear if the Mariners will build in any additional time off for him as they remain in pursuit of a playoff spot.

Sandoval (7-13) allowed eight runs (five earned) on 10 hits and struck out four without walking a batter over five innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners.

Sandoval got no support in the 8-0 defeat, as the Angels mustered just four hits. He gave up three runs in the first inning and then five more over the fourth and fifth frames. The one positive was that Sandoval didn't walk a batter for the first time since June 10. The southpaw is at a 4.48 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 119:66 K:BB through 136.2 innings over 26 starts. He's projected for a tough road outing at Tampa Bay next week.