MLB Player News

The Rangers optioned Rocker to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The Rangers will send Rocker and Jacob Latz down to Triple-A to make room for trade deadline acquisitions Danny Coulombe and Phil Maton. Rocker has given up three earned runs in each of his last two major-league starts and has a 5.74 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 56:23 K:BB across 64.1 innings with the Rangers this season.

King (shoulder) will make a rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

King most recently threw a 40-pitch sim game Monday and told reporters after the session that he felt "100 percent" and pain-free, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. King is in the final stages of his recovery from a pinched thoracic nerve in his right shoulder, and barring any setbacks, he could be back in the Padres' rotation by mid-August. He went 4-2 across 10 starts with a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 64:17 K:BB across 55.2 innings prior to landing on the injured list.

The White Sox reinstated Smith (ankle) from the injured list to start Friday's game against the Angels.

After spraining his ankle during the All-Star break, Smith will return from the injured list to make his first start of the second half versus the Angels, who have turned in a .738 OPS since the beginning of July. The 25-year-old righty reached 55 pitches during a bullpen session last weekend, so the White Sox may limit the number of pitches he throws during his first start back.

The Pirates recalled Harrington from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Harrington has surrendered nine earned runs in only eight MLB innings this season, and he carries a 5.48 ERA through 90.1 frames in Triple-A. Despite his performance, he'll be awarded a spot on the Pirates' pitching staff after Pittsburgh traded away David Bednar, Bailey Falter and Taylor Rogers on Thursday.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Arrighetti (thumb) "is in a position to make his next start at the major-league level," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Arrighetti has made three rehab appearances, and despite being roughed up in his last outing Thursday with Triple-A Sugar Land, a return to the majors appears to be around the corner for the 25-year-old right-hander. With Arrighetti pitching Thursday and barring any setbacks, he could be back in the Astros' rotation as early as next week on the road against the Marlins. He made two starts for Houston before landing on the injured list in early April due to a right thumb fracture.

The Red Sox list May as their probable starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Astros at Fenway Park.

Acquired from the Dodgers on Thursday, May won't have to wait long to make his Boston debut. Prior to being traded, May was in line to move to the Los Angeles bullpen, but he should have a clearer path to a permanent rotation spot in Boston, as he'll likely take over as the club's new No. 5 starter after Cooper Criswell makes what's expected to be a spot start Friday. Over 19 appearances (18 starts) with the Dodgers this season, May posted a 4.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 97:43 K:BB in 104 innings.

Horton (5-3) picked up the win in Friday's 1-0 victory over the Orioles, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.

A Baltimore lineup that got depleted at the trade deadline was no match for Horton and the Cubs bullpen, with the rookie right-hander generating 24 called or swinging strikes in only 71 pitches (44 total strikes). Horton extended his scoreless streak to 17.2 innings with the performance, and on the season he sports a 3.42 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 53:25 K:BB through 73.2 innings. He'll look to produce more goose eggs in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Reds.

Rogers (4-2) took the loss Friday as the Orioles fell 1-0 to the Cubs, allowing one run on four hits over eight innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The southpaw was brilliant once again, firing 68 of 88 pitches for strikes with 33 called or swinging strikes, but a second-inning sacrifice fly by Ian Happ proved to be all the offense Wrigley Field would see on the afternoon. Rogers has been a revelation for Baltimore since joining the rotation in mid-June, and over his last seven trips to the mound he's delivered six quality starts with a 1.13 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 39:10 K:BB in 47.2 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

The Athletics selected Morales' contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Morales has pitched at both Double- and Triple-A this season, registering a 3.73 ERA, 10.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 across 89.1 innings. He's started 14 games but recently was moved to the bullpen at Las Vegas. Expect Morales to initially work out of the Athletics' bullpen.

Ortiz's locker has been cleared out in the Guardians' clubhouse Friday as he remains under investigation by MLB, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Teammate Emmanuel Clase also had his locker cleared out, as both pitchers are currently on paid non-disciplinary leave as part of the MLB's sports-betting investigation. Ortiz was placed on leave July 18, and Clase joined him this week just ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. It appears the Guardians don't expect to have Ortiz available again this season.