MLB Player News

The Tigers returned Garcia to Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 16.

Though he didn't move into the rotation at Triple-A until July 10 after working as a reliever the past few seasons, Garcia has fared better than anticipated across his three spot starts with Detroit. Garcia was especially impressive in his last outing for the Tigers on Aug. 15, when he struck out five and allowed three earned runs over six innings to pick up the win over the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader. Since he was designated as the 27th man for the twin bill, Garcia was sent back to Triple-A immediately after the outing, and he may have to wait for another injury to hit the Detroit rotation before he gets another look in the big leagues. The Tigers will be able to get by with a four-man rotation until next week, when Michael Pineda (triceps) is on track to come off the injured list. Along with Garcia, Garrett Hill and Daniel Norris -- who were both recently moved to the bullpen -- are candidates to pick up spot starts as needed over the final month of the campaign.

Hill is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Rays at Fenway Park, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Manager Alex Cora had previously suggested that Hill could piggyback Brayan Bello in the latter's start Wednesday against the Blue Jays, but Hill may only be available in relief in an emergency now that he's been confirmed to make his next start this weekend. When he takes the mound Saturday, Hill will be pitching on nine days' rest after having made his previous start Aug. 17 in Pittsburgh.

The Red Sox reinstated Bello (groin) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Boston optioned starting pitcher Josh Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move, a transaction that may hint that Bello will be installed as a permanent member of the rotation. Bello, who has been on the shelf since sustaining a left groin strain in a relief appearance Aug. 3, built up to 4.1 innings in his second rehab start at Triple-A last Friday, so he shouldn't face any major restrictions as he takes the hill Wednesday.

Rodriguez (lat) successfully completed a live batting practice session Wednesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rodriguez is ramping up his workload in his throwing program this week, and he felt good after facing hitters Wednesday. Assuming he remains free of setbacks in the coming days, he's expected to pitch in a simulated game sometime later this week.

The Royals list Greinke (forearm) as their scheduled starter for Saturday's home game versus the Padres.

Greinke's inclusion on the weekend pitching schedule would seem to imply that the forearm cramping he experienced in his most recent outing Sunday against the Rays is a non-issue coming out of his between-starts throwing session. The right-hander sports a 2.64 ERA in 31 innings over his six starts since the All-Star break, but he has just one win to show for it to go along with an underwhelming 16.2 percent strikeout rate.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora hinted that Hill will piggyback starter Brayan Bello in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Boston has already locked in Kutter Crawford and Michael Wacha to start Thursday's series finale and Friday's series opener versus Tampa Bay, respectively, so unless Hill is being pushed to the back of the pitching schedule, Wednesday marks the most logical day for him to get some innings. Bello likely won't be serving as a traditional opener after building up to 4.1 innings in his most recent rehab start, but Hill could still have better odds than usual of factoring into any decision even if he has a lighter workload than normal.

High-A West Michigan scratched Jobe from his scheduled start Wednesday due to a sore back, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft won't be making his High-A debut after he apparently slept wrong on his back overnight, but the Tigers are optimistic that Jobe will be able to take the hill later this weekend, according to director of player development Ryan Garko. Prior to receiving a promotion to West Michigan, Jobe compiled a 4.52 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 71:25 K:BB across 61.2 innings at Single-A Lakeland.

Schmidt (5-2) earned the win over the Mets on Tuesday, allowing three hits and issuing three walks over three scoreless innings. He did not strike out any batters.

Schmidt entered the contest in the top of the sixth inning and retired Mark Canha with a runner on second base to keep the game tied. He allowed three baserunners over the following two frames but kept the Mets off the scoreboard, and he appeared poised to finish off the contest after retiring the first two batters he faced in the ninth. Schmidt then allowed the next three hitters to reach base and was replaced by Wandy Peralta, who got the final out for a save. The outing was in line with how Schmidt has been deployed this season -- he's made only one start but has thrown three or more innings in five of 17 appearances and has tossed more than one frame in 11 different outings. Schmidt has been effective during his time in the majors this season, registering a 2.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP while picking up five wins and two saves over 33 innings.

Toussaint retired two batters and was charged with two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one during his relief appearance in Tuesday's 11-1 loss to the Rays.

Though Angels interim manager Phil Nevin never made a formal announcement that Toussaint was removed from the rotation, it became evident that the right-hander would head to the bullpen when Mike Mayers was named the starter for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay. Toussaint's demotion from the starting role came after he was blitzed for four earned runs on three hits and four walks over 2.2 innings his last time out Aug. 17 against the Mariners.

Stripling (6-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 9-3 victory over the Red Sox, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Boston got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, but Toronto erased the deficit and then some with an eight-run eruption in the top of the third, and Stripling didn't allow a runner to get past second base from there. The right-hander has delivered back-to-back quality starts since returning from an IL stint that cost him the first half of August, and in 12 trips to the mound since rejoining the rotation in early June, he sports a sparkling 2.14 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 51:8 K:BB through 63 innings.