MLB Player News

The Rangers designated Curvelo for assignment Friday.

Curvelo was sent down to Triple-A at the start of the month and will now lose his 40-man spot as well to make room for Marco Gonzales, who was selected to the active roster Friday. Curvelo has given up 11 runs in 10.1 innings with the Rangers this year while also accumulating an 8.42 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over 25.2 frames at Round Rock.

The Rangers selected Gonzales' contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Gonzales elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A on Aug. 2 but returned to the Rangers on a minor-league deal shortly afterward and will now reclaim a spot in the big-league bullpen, replacing Ben Peoples. Gonzales has given up just one run in six MLB innings this season, but his 7.57 ERA and 1.87 WHIP at Triple-A suggest that he's best suited for low-leverage situations with the Rangers.

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

Peoples will lose his spot in the Rangers' bullpen after giving up one earned run in two innings across his two appearances since coming up from Triple-A on Monday. The 25-year-old has been effective in the majors, logging a 2.51 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 14.1 innings, so there's a strong chance he'll return to the big club at some point whenever the team needs a fresh arm. Until then, his roster spot will be occupied by Marco Gonzales.

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

Cauley will head back to the minors after slashing just .189/.268/.351 across 42 plate appearances since the start of the second half. Cody Freeman will come up from Triple-A in a corresponding move to give the Rangers another bench player capable of playing in the infield and outfield.

The Rangers recalled Freeman from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Freeman was optioned to Triple-A after returning from the injured list Aug. 4 and has since gone 8-for-29 (.276) with a home run, four RBI and seven runs scored in 33 plate appearances. He'll now rejoin the parent club to provide utility depth, replacing Cam Cauley.

Perez (elbow) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Perez departed Wednesday's game due to an elbow injury and will now officially miss a start as he takes more time off to recover. Carter Jensen will start behind the plate while Perez sits, and Josh Rojas will serve as the Royals' designated hitter.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Fraley (hernia) is scheduled to play a few games at the team's complex in Florida before beginning a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fraley landed on the injured list in May due to a hernia that required surgery, though setbacks have extended his time on the shelf. It's unclear how far away he is from rejoining the active roster, but he's likely to spend a good amount of time in the minors after missing nearly three months.

Jax (elbow) threw from 120 feet out Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash described Jax's throwing session Friday as "very, very good" and noted that the team is planning out the next stages of his build-up program. The 31-year-old will be eligible to return from the injured list next Friday but may need to spend slightly more time on the shelf before returning to Tampa Bay's rotation.

Brash (lat) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Saturday will mark Brash's first time throwing off a mound since he landed on the injured list June 10 with a right lat strain. The Mariners still haven't set a timetable for the right-hander's return, though there is optimism within the organization that he'll rejoin the bullpen sometime in early September. A more definitive timeline will likely emerge after he gets through a few mound sessions.

Ward (quadriceps) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against Houston.

Ward missed Thursday's game against the Yankees due to quad tightness, and his injury will now force him to sit out Friday's series opener as well. Randy Arozarena, Victor Robles and Dominic Canzone will start across the outfield with Ward out, and Julio Rodriguez will work as the DH.