MLB Player News

Morales (4-2) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Morales threw just 56 of 96 pitches for strikes and generated only eight whiffs but still managed his first quality start since Aug. 27. The 22-year-old has now held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in six of his eight major-league starts. He owns a 3.07 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB across 44 innings with the Athletics and will look to finish the year strong in a home matchup with the Royals next weekend.

Springs will not start Sunday's game against the Pirates, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Springs was never confirmed as Sunday's starter, but he did line up to take the mound on regular rest. It's unclear if he's being shut down, or if he's just being pushed back for extra rest. Mitch Spence will instead toe the rubber for the Athletics on Sunday.

Spence will start Sunday's game against the Pirates, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Since being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sept. 10, Spence has made one appearance out of the Athletics bullpen, tossing 3.2 innings scoreless frames Tuesday in a win over the Red Sox. He'll be returning to the mound Sunday on four days' rest and shouldn't be operating with a strict pitch limit. He's worked as a traditional starter for a good chunk of the season, making seven starts with the Athletics and seven with Las Vegas.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that he expects Abreu (calf) to return from the injured list Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Abreu has been sidelined with a strained calf for more than a month, but it appears he is nearing the end of his recovery. The 26-year-old outfielder is slashing .253/.325/.486 on the season and will almost certainly reclaim his role as Boston's primary right fielder once activated.

Imaging revealed minor inflammation in Woo's right pectoral Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

It remains unknown whether Woo will be able to make his next start Thursday versus Colorado, but the M's will keep an eye on him over the next several days before making a decision. The team doesn't anticipate him spending time on the injured list, however, which makes it far more likely that he appears on the mound at some point before the end of the year.

Pereda isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Pereda will stay put in the dugout to begin Saturday's nightcap after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Game 1. Mickey Gasper will replace him as Minnesota's backstop and bat eighth.

Naylor isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Minnesota.

Naylor will catch his breath during the nightcap after going 2-for-3 with a walk and two solo home runs during a win in the early game. Austin Hedges will start behind the dish and bat ninth in Naylor's stead.

The Angels recalled Bachman from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

The 25-year-old righty will rejoin the Angels' bullpen as a replacement for Robert Stephenson, who landed on the injured list Saturday with an elbow injury. Bachman has dominated Triple-A batters to the tune of a 0.71 ERA through 25.1 innings, but he carries a 4.96 ERA through 16.1 frames with the Halos.

The Angels placed Stephenson on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

Stephenson's move to the IL will ensure he remains sidelined for the rest of the year after putting up a 2.70 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 10 innings in the majors. Sam Bachman was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the hole in the Halos' bullpen.

The Twins recalled Abel from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

With Pablo Lopez (forearm) on the injured list and set to miss the rest of the season, Abel will come up from the minors to claim the open roster spot. The 24-year-old right-hander has accumulated a 7.76 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in the big leagues between Philadelphia and Minnesota, though he's been dominant at St. Paul to the tune of a 1.85 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 24.1 frames. It's unclear what role the Twins have planned for Abel now that he's in the bigs, but if he takes Lopez's place in the rotation, he'd be in line to start Thursday against the Rangers.