MLB Player News

Irvin was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Irvin didn't give up an earned run in three appearances after being shifted to the bullpen. He was needed for two innings in Tuesday's loss to the Cardinals, so he's being replaced by a fresh arm.

Bieber (elbow) struck out four and was charged with two runs (one earned) over 3.2 frames on no hits and one walk in his first rehab start with Double-A Akron on Tuesday.

Bieber was responsible for three runners reaching base, as he walked one and hit another two batters with pitches. Despite not reaching four innings, Bieber still managed to get his pitch count up to 50 on Tuesday. Bieber -- who has been sidelined since mid-July with right elbow inflammation -- appears to be in line for one more rehab start before returning from the 60-day injured list.

McKenzie (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Wednesday.

McKenzie will be making his first appearance at any level since he was diagnosed with a sprained right UCL in mid-June. The right-hander also dealt with a teres major muscle strain this season, as he's been limited to just two starts for the Guardians and three rehab starts. Cleveland is still hoping to get McKenzie back before the end of the season, though if that happens, he could be subject to a more regulated workload than the Guardians' other starting pitchers.

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.