MLB Player News

Sale is scheduled to make the fifth start of his rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Worcester, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

In his fourth rehab start overall and first at Worcester on Saturday, Sale was once again impressive. He worked five innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out seven in the 81-pitch outing. According to Bill Koch of The Providence Journal, manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Sale "felt great" one day after making the start, but the Red Sox want the left-hander to get in one more tune-up at Triple-A before he makes his long-awaited 2021 debut for Boston. If all goes well in Saturday's start, Sale would tentatively line up to return from the 60-day injured list for the Red Sox's Aug. 12 game against the Rays in Boston.

Heaney is scheduled to start in his Yankees debut Monday against the Orioles in New York, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rather than making a big swing to upgrade their rotation ahead of the trade deadline, the Yankees opted for a buy-low move with the addition of Heaney, who turned in a solid 20.4 K-BB% but a less palatable 5.27 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 18 starts with the Angels. Though most of his peripherals point to some likely improvement in his ERA, Heaney has been bit hard by the long ball (1.5 HR/9) this season, and Yankee Stadium won't be the most favorable environment for him to make progress on that front.

Montgomery allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts in five innings in a no-decision versus Miami on Sunday.

The southpaw allowed a run on a groundout in the first inning, but he was effective at quieting Miami's bats after that. He was in line for the loss until the Yankees' offense came alive in the eighth. Montgomery hasn't given up more than three runs in an appearance since June 15, but he's completed six innings just three times in eight starts in that span. He has a 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 115:35 K:BB through 114.2 innings overall. Montgomery is expected to make his next start versus the Mariners in next weekend's four-game series.

Watkins (2-2) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings, taking the loss Sunday versus Detroit.

Sunday was the second start in a row in which Watkins gave up four runs. Baltimore took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the right-hander gave it all back by the end of the first. He's posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB in 26 innings to begin his major-league career. The 28-year-old lines up for a tough start versus Tampa Bay next weekend.

The Rays placed Springs (knee) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

As expected, Springs was deactivated after he suffered a serious-looking right knee sprain in his relief appearance during Saturday's 9-5 win over the Red Sox. After he was sent in for an MRI, Springs learned that he avoided any structural damage to the knee, but the reliever still doesn't expect to be ready to go in the minimum 10 days and is instead targeting a return to the roster in 2-to-4 weeks, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays called up the newly acquired DJ Johnson from Triple-A Durham to fill Springs' spot on the active roster.

The Angels selected Detmers' contract from Triple-A Salt Lake ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Athletics.

Los Angeles optioned reliever James Hoyt to Triple-A to clear room on the active roster for Detmers, who is making his MLB debut Sunday. The 22-year-old lefty has been electric between stops at Triple-A and Double-A Rocket City this season, posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while punching out 106 over 60 innings. The sky-high 15.9 K/9 rate in particular should make Detmers an interesting speculative pickup in fantasy leagues. The Angels haven't determined how long Detmers will stick with the big club, but he should have a window to make more than one turn through the rotation with starters Alex Cobb (wrist) and Shohei Ohtani (thumb) tending to injuries and with Andrew Heaney now plying his trade with the Yankees.

Keller was removed after three innings during his start Sunday against the Blue Jays due to lower-back tightness. He was charged with three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three before departing.

Keller left with the Blue Jays up 3-0, so he'll be on the hook for his 10th loss of the season if the Royals aren't able to overcome the deficit. Kansas City is describing Keller's removal from the contest as precautionary, but he'll still need to throw a bullpen session in the next two or three days without any discomfort in order to avoid a trip to the injured list. Keller tentatively lines up to make his next start during next weekend's series in St. Louis.

Manning (2-4) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Orioles after allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while fanning three across 5.2 innings.

Manning gave up five runs, but only two were earned. He's given up two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five appearances. The rookie right-hander posted a 4.07 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP across five July starts and should remain in the rotation the rest of the way as long as he stays healthy. He's scheduled to make his next start against Cleveland on the road next week.

Means (5-3) allowed one run on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts in six innings, earning the win Saturday versus Detroit.

After a couple of shaky outings since returning from a shoulder strain, Means finally looked like himself Saturday. The only run he gave up was a solo home run to Eric Haase in the fourth inning. Means has been Baltimore's most reliable starter this year with a 2.84 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 79:15 K:BB through 88.2 innings, but Saturday was his first quality start since May 24. He tentatively lines up for a start versus the Rays during next weekend's series.

German was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to right shoulder inflammation.

German allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings in a no-decision against Miami on Saturday. He was pulled for a pinch hitter in the fifth frame, but it's unclear if that move was related to his injury. Albert Abreu was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilke-Barre to take German's place on the active roster.