MLB Player News

Verlander (neck) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It will be Verlander's third time on a mound as he recovers from a neck issue, with his first coming just before the All-Star break. The 41-year-old was stretched out to 40 pitches in his last bullpen and could be one or two more sessions away from the next stage in his recovery, whether that's a rehab assignment or an immediate return to the Houston rotation.

Garcia (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Garcia completed a 15-pitch bullpen Saturday and was able to jump up to 35 pitches in Friday's session. The right-hander could progress to facing live hitters soon before beginning what's expected to be a lengthy rehab assignment.

Baumeister and minor-league outfielders Matthew Etzel and Mac Horvath were acquired by the Rays from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for starting pitcher Zach Eflin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Baumeister was selected 63rd overall in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft by Baltimore and will now make his way to Tampa Bay. The 22-year-old right-hander has pitched at the High-A level this season in his first year of professional action and has a 3.18 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 91:43 K:BB across 70.2 innings.

The Orioles acquired Eflin from the Rays on Friday in exchange for outfielder Matthew Etzel, pitcher Jackson Baumeister and outfielder Mac Horvath, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The right-hander allowed two runs over 5.2 frames in a no-decision Wednesday in Toronto, and that will end up being his final start for Tampa Bay. Eflin posted a 3.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 186:24 K:BB over a career-high 177.2 innings last season, though he's been unable to replicate those results this year and has a 4.09 ERA through 19 starts. The 30-year-old brings some stability to an injury-ravaged Baltimore rotation and is also under contract for 2025 at $18 million.

Mize (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

It will be his first time on a mound since he went down with a left hamstring strain in late June. Mize will need time to get built back up and is likely several weeks away from a return.

The Orioles designated Stoudt for assignment Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

A 40-man roster move was required following Friday's trade with the Phillies which added Seranthony Dominguez and Cristian Pache to the roster. It's the third time since February that Stoudt has been designated for assignment, as he's bounced around from the Reds to the Mariners to the Orioles and now could be on the move again.

The Red Sox acquired Paxton from the Dodgers on Friday for minor-league infielder Moises Bolivar, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Paxton's swing-and-miss stuff has disappeared this season, as he managed just 64 strikeouts over 89.1 innings with the Dodgers before he was designated for assignment earlier this week. However, he fanned 101 in 96 frames with the Red Sox just last season, and a return to Boston could help him recapture some of form he displayed in 2023. Paxton may step in and replace Cooper Criswell as Boston's No. 5 starter, though the Red Sox may have starting roles available for both pitchers if they expand the rotation to six men.

Stripling (2-9) picked up the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out three.

Stripling ran into trouble in the second inning after allowing four consecutive batters to reach base with one out. He would end up being tagged for five runs in the frame but recovered nicely, retiring 13 of the next 15 batters he faced as the Oakland offense roared back in an eventual 6-5 victory. The right-hander has surrendered at least four runs in each of his last three starts dating back to May 18, and Stripling had also lost each of his previous four starts prior to Thursday's win.

Bibee (knee) is listed as the Guardians' probable pitcher for Monday's game in Detroit.

Bibee experienced cramping in his right knee during his most recent start Wednesday, which also came against the Tigers, but the issue doesn't look as though it'll prevent him from taking his next turn through the rotation. The right-hander will carry an 8-4 record, 3.50 ERA and 1.09 WHIP into Monday's outing.

Blackburn (foot) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, MLB.com reports.

Blackburn will make his first start for the Athletics since May 10, when he suffered a right foot stress reaction during an outing in Seattle. Oakland is electing to activate Blackburn despite the fact that he maxed out at 2.2 innings and 49 pitches during his three minor-league rehab starts and was most recently roughed up for seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks in his last outing for Triple-A Las Vegas on July 20. Manager Mark Kotsay said Thursday that Blackburn will be limited to around 65-to-70 pitches in his return, and the Athletics could turn to Joey Estes in relief if length is needed behind the veteran right-hander.