MLB Player News

Bazardo was traded from the Orioles to the Mariners on Tuesday for Logan Rinehart, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

This move is far from a blockbuster, as Bazardo was designated for assignment Sunday and Rinehart is a 25-year-old reliever at High-A. Bazardo has a 3.74 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 21.2 MLB innings across the past three seasons. He logged a 3.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 43 strikeouts this year in 38.1 innings at Triple-A.

Devenski (hamstring) began a rehab assignment Monday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, striking out three and allowing one hit over a scoreless inning.

Devenski landed on the 15-day injured list July 17 with a right hamstring strain but shouldn't require too much ramp-up time before making his return to the Angels bullpen. Prior to landing on the IL, Devenski had scooped up three wins and 10 holds while pitching to a 5.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB across 33.2 innings.

Hall, who was building up arm strength at the Orioles' spring training facility in Florida, is back with Triple-A Norfolk and will work out of the bullpen initially, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

There isn't enough time for Hall to get stretched out and become a viable option in the big-league rotation, so it makes sense for Baltimore to get Hall some relief work, as that could be his role for the big club down the stretch and in the postseason. Hall has immense long-term strikeout upside as a starter or as a reliever, as there are few lefties in baseball with his combination of fastball velocity and depth of repertoire -- at times he will show multiple plus offspeed pitches. However, injuries and poor control continue to linger as part of his profile, which is why some evaluators believe he fits best as a reliever long term.

Morgan (4-2) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk over one-third of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Astros.

Noah Syndergaard (leg) exited the game after getting hit by a comebacker, and Morgan proceeded to unravel in the sixth inning. Morgan gave up at least one run in six of his 11 appearances in July, posting an 8.10 ERA and 12:6 K:BB over 10 innings during the month. Overall, he's sporting a 3.32 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 44:16 K:BB with a save, six holds and a blown save through 43.1 innings this season.

The Cubs traded Rodriguez and Adrian Sampson to the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for Josh Roberson, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez looked like a promising young arm in the Cubs' system at one point, but he turns 27 years old this coming Sunday and has registered an underwhelming 4.42 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 38.2 innings of relief this season at Triple-A Iowa. He'll likely report to Triple-A Durham.

The Angels traded Davidson to the Royals on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Davidson was designated for assignment by the Angels last Thursday after struggling to a 6.54 ERA through 31.2 innings of long relief. The 27-year-old left-hander will immediately join the Royals' major-league roster as they play out the string on yet another disappointing campaign.

Criswell has made two starts for Triple-A Durham since being optioned to the affiliate July 16, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over nine innings.

Despite the pair of strong outings, Criswell is still holding down a 4.63 ERA and 1.46 WHIP while striking out 51 over 56.1 innings at Triple-A this season. Though his numbers don't jump off the page, Criswell may still find himself as the next man up to join the big club if the Rays require a starter or bulk reliever at any point in August. The Rays optioned the struggling Taj Bradley to Triple-A on Monday and appear set to give Zack Littell a look as their new No. 5 starter, though Littell likely won't have a long leash.

Littell is listed as the Rays' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Littell has already made four starts this season, but on each of the first three occasions, he covered no more than 3.1 innings while operating as more of an opening pitcher. In his most recent start Sunday in Houston, however, Littell covered a season-high five innings, striking out four while allowing two runs on eight hits. Based on the workload he handled, Littell looks like he could be getting stretched out for a more traditional starting role, especially now that Tampa Bay has a spot in the rotation open after Taj Bradley was optioned to Triple-a Durham on Monday. Erasmo Ramirez worked three innings behind Littell on Sunday, so it's possible the two pitchers work in tandem again Thursday if Ramirez isn't needed out of the bullpen Tuesday or Wednesday.

Kittredge (elbow) has thrown 8.2 innings on his rehab assignment and is hoping to return in mid-to-late August, MLB.com reports.

Kittredge has been with Triple-A Durham for each of his last six appearances. He allowed six earned runs across just one-third of an inning in an outing July 23 but has otherwise been effective. Even so, the Rays will continue to take a patient approach as Kittredge returns from Tommy John surgery.

Pressly earned a save against the Guardians on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Entering the ninth frame, it looked like Pressly's services might not be needed, as Houston held a comfortable 7-2 lead. However, Ryne Stanek allowed Cleveland to load the bases without recording an out, resulting in Pressly's entrance. The veteran closer quelled the threat, allowing an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly but otherwise shutting the Guardians down. Though Pressly's 3.17 ERA and 9.5 K/9 are slightly less impressive than what he's registered over the past several seasons, he continues to be among the game's best closers, recording 25 saves in 29 chances on the campaign. He's also benefiting from playing for a playoff contender, as the save was his ninth of the month of July.