MLB Player News

Gray (14-3) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Monday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings.

Gray opened with four scoreless frames before allowing a run in each of the fifth and sixth innings, losing to the Blue Jays for the second time in his past four outings. The veteran hurler still managed to log his 15th quality start of the season, a feat he's accomplished in each of his past two turns after stumbling at the end of July. He'll take a 2.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 110:33 K across 125.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the Pirates this weekend.

Varland earned the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Red Sox, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Varland was called on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff double to close the door. The 28-year-old has posted just one clean outing in five August appearances, but he's still managed a save and two wins during that stretch. On the season, he's 25-for-26 in save opportunities while boasting a 1.31 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 76:17 K:BB across 61.2 innings.

Woodford agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Woodford was cast off the Cubs' 40-man roster Tuesday and elected free agency a few days later. It didn't take long for the right-hander to find work, as he'll be brought in by the Rays on a minor-league deal to serve as pitching depth. Woodford owns a 7.18 ERA and 1.78 WHIP with 23 strikeouts across 26.1 innings in the big leagues this season between stops in Milwaukee and Chicago.

Pasquantino (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Pasquantino, who landed on the 10-day injured list July 29 due to wrist soreness, should only need a handful of at-bats at Triple-A before being activated from the shelf. If all goes according to plan, it seems likely that he'll be back with the big-league club before the end of the week.

Correa (ankle) has been cleared to hit off a tee, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Correa was given the green light to swing a bat nearly one week ago, and he's since been able to progress to tee work. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to return before the end of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in May, but a timeline should come into focus as he continues to ramp up baseball activities.

Taillon left Monday's start against Boston with right forearm discomfort, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Taillon appeared to be in some sort of discomfort after completing his fourth inning of work, and the club revealed shortly after that his departure was related to a forearm issue. He'll presumably be sent for further testing over the next few days to determine next steps.

Taillon exited Monday's start against the Red Sox with an apparent injury, Thomas Hall of MLB.com reports. He allowed one hit and three walks while striking out three over four scoreless innings before departing.

Taillon made it through four innings unscathed, but as Hall notes, he made a motion to the Toronto training staff after wrapping up his fourth inning of work and was promptly removed. It's also worth noting that the right-hander's velocity noticeably dipped in the top of the fourth inning prior to his exit. Taillon can be considered day-to-day until the team has more information to share.

Burrows (elbow) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Burrows tossed 55 pitches over three innings at Houston's complex Saturday, and as previously reported, he'll make his next appearance at Triple-A. He figures to need at least a few rehab starts for Sugar Land, and he may remain in the minors once deemed healthy, as the Astros had optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land on July 7 before later placing him on the injured list, which nullified the demotion.

Bachman (forearm) played catch out to 60 feet Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bachman landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right forearm radial nerve inflammation, though it's a positive sign that he's already been cleared to resume throwing. Assuming he checks out fine after tossing Monday, he'll likely be asked to throw again later in the week and could resume mound work in the near future.

Rivero (hand) was returned from his rehab assignment Monday after suffering a setback, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bollinger notes that Rivero's hand wasn't responding as well as the team had hoped while out on his rehab assignment. He'll likely be shut down for at least the next few days before being re-evaluated. Rivero has been on the shelf since June 10 after suffering a left hamate fracture.