MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Bird from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Bird will join the Washington bullpen as a replacement for left-hander Carson Palmquist, who was optioned to Triple-A following Saturday's 8-2 win. The Nationals are treating Sunday's series finale as a bullpen game, so Bird could be called upon to cover an inning or two once opening pitcher Brad Lord exits the contest. Acquired from the Yankees on Monday in a five-player trade, Bird will be making his Nationals debut when he gets into a game.

Kerry allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 relief innings in a no-decision against Miami on Saturday.

Angels starter Walbert Urena last just 2.1 frames, leaving Kerry to inherit a two-on, one-out jam in the third inning. He handled that task well and didn't allow any additional damage in the frame. The right-hander took the reins from there and finished the contest, tossing a starter-like 98 pitches (64 strikes) and generating 14 whiffs and a career-high seven punchouts. Kerry worked mostly as a starter in the minors, so the big workload wasn't new to him, but he's yet to make a start in the majors. He'll presumably be down for several days following his heavy pitch count Saturday, and the imminent return of Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) may present a risk to Kerry's roster spot.

Abreu (calf/shin) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Sunday's game against the Athletics, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Abreu was held out of the lineup Saturday for the first time since June 21, getting scratched shortly before the first pitch due to lower-leg swelling and soreness. He's made enough improvement to return to action for the series finale, but the two-time Gold Glove Award winner will be used strictly as a hitter Sunday. Eli White will draw the start in Abreu's usual spot in right field.

Jansen (forearm) threw to bases for a second time Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The veteran catcher, who is working his way back from a forearm strain, also caught a live batting practice session from Jack Leiter (ankle) on Saturday. Jansen has been catching bullpens during his IL stint and could be close to returning.

Rice went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday in a 5-4 win over Atlanta.

Rice bashed a 431-foot solo shot to center field in the eighth inning, providing what ended up being the decisive run in the narrow victory. The long ball snapped a season-long 11-game homer drought for the slugger -- a stretch during which he batted just .132 (5-for-38) with a 9:15 BB:K and only two RBI. Rice has already established career-best marks with 32 home runs and 75 RBI on the campaign, though he's struggled to a .611 OPS with a 32.6 percent strikeout rate over 21 games since the All-Star break.

Karros went 0-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and two stolen bases Saturday against the Cardinals.

It wasn't a typical performance for Karros, but he was productive nonetheless. He reached base in the first and third innings and stole second base on each occasion, and he later lifted a sacrifice fly to provide an insurance run in the ninth frame. Karros has continued his strong season since the All-Star break, hitting .294 with eight RBI and 10 runs scored across 16 contests.

Seager went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 5-1 win over Baltimore.

Seager gave Texas breathing room in the eighth inning when he clouted a three-run homer. The home run and RBI were his first since being activated off the injured list July 31. The shortstop has gone 8-for-24 with three walks and four runs scored over seven contests since his activation.

Leiter (ankle) threw two innings and 33 pitches of live batting practice Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Leiter, who also got in some pitcher fielding practice following the session, feels he's ready for a rehab assignment, but the Rangers have made no decision about that. The right-hander has thrown two live batting practice sessions as he works his way back from right ankle surgery.

Peters went 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI, a walk and a run scored Saturday against the Guardians.

Peters played a key role in a five-run rally in the sixth inning, delivering a double with the bases loaded and two outs. After a strong first half, Peters has struggled mightily coming out of the All-Star break by hitting just .115 across 61 at-bats. Even with those struggles and the addition of Brenton Doyle, Peters remains the team's primary center fielder against right-handed pitching.

Miller will draw the start for the Red Sox in a bullpen game against the Athletics on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The left-hander will make his first start since 2024, when the Giants used him as an opener 10 times as a rookie that season. Miller was shipped from the Giants to the Red Sox at the trade deadline and has fired 2.1 scoreless frames in the first two appearances for his new team. He'll likely cover the first inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen, with Brayan Bello being a candidate to work in bulk relief behind Miller.