MLB Player News

Houck (back) was diagnosed with a disc issue Tuesday and will return to Boston for a week of treatment, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Houck will be re-evaluated next Monday before the Red Sox determine his next steps, but at this stage, the right-hander's return from the injured list doesn't look to be imminent. If he responds well to treatment over the next several days, Houck could be back near the end of the month in a best-case scenario, but a return in September seems more likely. The Red Sox should continue to lean on Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber in higher-leverage spots while their preferred closer is sideilned.

The Rangers selected Arihara's contract from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Arihara will be making his 2022 big-league debut after having thus far spent his entire second season in North America at Triple-A. The righty is fully built up as a starter and isn't expected to face a limited pitch count against a hapless Oakland lineup, but he still may be difficult to trust. Over his 72 innings at Triple-A this season, Arihara produced a 4.88 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.

Bush has a 3.20 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 77:24 K:BB in 76 innings across 16 starts for Double-A Rocket City this season.

The 2021 second-rounder had a tremendous first half, but his workload has been dialed back significantly over the last month-plus -- he's made just four total appearances (pitching just 14.1 innings) in July and August, not counting a scoreless inning in the Futures Game. A big lefty at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, Bush has shown better command than expected and done a good job keeping the ball in the park. There's relief risk here, but Bush is an intriguing prospect.

The Blue Jays promoted Carter from the rookie-level Florida Complex League to Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

A 2021 fifth-round pick, Carter's professional debut was delayed a year while the Blue Jays deliberately managed his workload coming off his senior season of high school. The 19-year-old right-hander was roughed up for 20 runs (18 earned) over 17.2 innings in his first five FCL starts, but he earned the promotion to Single-A after turning a corner around the minor-league All-Star break. Over his final four outings in rookie ball, Carter pitched to a 2.25 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across 16 frames.

The Blue Jays promoted Robberse from High-A Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire on Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Robberse had been one of Vancouver's top starters this season, logging a 3.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB across 89.2 innings. The 20-year-old right-hander will be rewarded with a stiffer level of competition over the final weeks of the 2022 campaign.

Boyd (elbow) struck out two over a perfect inning Monday in his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Tacoma.

Acquired from the Giants on Aug. 2, Boyd currently occupies a spot on the Mariners' 60-day injured list but looks on track for activation at some point within the next few weeks. Due to his prolonged recovery from the flexor tendon surgery he underwent last September, Boyd doesn't look like he'll have enough time to get stretched out for a starting role, so he's expected to slot into the Seattle bullpen once he's eventually reinstated from the IL. Though he likely won't factor into the closing situation, Boyd could prove to be a valuable multi-inning arm out of the bullpen.

Garcia (1-0) struck out five and allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks to come away with the victory Monday in the Tigers' 7-5 win over the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader.

Called up from Triple-A Toledo in advance of the twin bill to make his third start of the season, Garcia delivered his best outing to date. After issuing six free passes over four scoreless innings his last time out against the Rays on Aug. 5, Garcia was far more efficient Monday while throwing 61 of his 88 pitches for strikes. The only blemishes on his line came in the fourth inning, when Andres Gimenez and Luke Maile took him deep for a two-run and a solo home run, respectively. Garcia is likely to be optioned back to Toledo on Tuesday, but he should be one of the Tigers' top options for a call-up the next time the team needs a spot starter.

Kikuchi (4-7) took the loss Monday as the Blue Jays were downed 7-3 by the Orioles, coughing up six runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw's own error on a pickoff attempt in the fourth inning was just one of Toronto's defensive miscues on the night, helping to soften the blow to his ERA, but Kikuchi was hit hard when he did allow contact -- three of the four hits off him went for extra bases, including a two-run homer by Jays nemesis Ryan Mountcastle. Since returning to the rotation at the end of July, Kikuchi has a 5.71 ERA thanks to a 2.6 HR/9 despite an otherwise solid 1.33 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 17.1 innings.

Sears is scheduled to start Tuesday's road game against the Rangers.

Sears is receiving a second straight turn through the rotation while Paul Blackburn (finger) remains on the injured list. In his Athletics debut last week versus the Angels, Sears took a no-decision while striking out three and allowing two earned runs on three hits and no walks over 5.1 innings.

Bradish didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Baltimore handed the right-hander a 6-2 lead heading into the fifth inning, but Bradish couldn't hang around long enough to collect the win, getting the hook after tossing only 54 of 96 pitches for strikes. He hasn't lasted longer than 5.1 innings in any of his four starts since coming off the IL in late July, posting a 4.05 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through 20 innings over that stretch while failing to record a decision in any of them.