MLB Player News

Bradford (2-1) picked up the win in Sunday's 6-5 victory over the Guardians after covering three innings out of the bullpen and allowing two runs on three hits and no walks. He struck out four.

Bradford made a five-inning start during the Rangers' final series of the first half in Washington, but he looks like he'll work in relief for the foreseeable future after Texas opened its post-All-Star-break schedule with a five-man rotation. The rookie owns a respectable 4.55 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 29.2 innings in the majors this season and should be the Rangers' top option for a spot start should the team lose a rotation option at any point.

Jacques will serve as Boston's opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Oakland, Chris Henrique of the Boston Sports Journal reports.

The Red Sox shut out the Athletics in a bullpen game Monday and will go back to that well again Tuesday. Chris Murphy would seem to be the likeliest candidate to work in bulk relief behind Jacques, who hasn't recorded more than eight outs in any of his 33 appearances in the majors or minors this season.

Morris was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

He's the corresponding move for Logan Allen, Tuesday's starter in Pittsburgh. Morris has yielded four runs in four relief innings during his brief time in the big leagues this season.

Green (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Dunedin on Saturday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

It will be his first official game action since he underwent Tommy John surgery last June. Given the long layoff, Green would figure to need a good number of rehab appearances. That might all just depend on how he looks and feels, though, and if things go well he certainly could be a weapon for the Blue Jays' bullpen down the stretch.

Romano (back) said he'll be available to pitch out of the Toronto bullpen Tuesday versus the Padres, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Romano hasn't made an appearance since he had to leave his All-Star Game outing with lower-back tightness. However, the closer is feeling much better after receiving treatment and is ready to be called upon, if needed.

Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Vespi has pitched well during his time in the majors this season, but he was needed for 2.1 innings of relief Monday so he probably wouldn't have been available for a day or two. Cionel Perez is back from the injured list to take his roster spot.

Perez (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Perez wound up missing just the minimum 15 days with left forearm soreness. Nick Vespi was sent down in a corresponding move.

Clarke (1-4) allowed three runs on a hit, a walk and hit batsman while adding a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Tigers.

Clarke's shaky July continued with the meltdown Monday. He's given up 10 runs over 4.2 innings across six appearances this month. The right-hander is now at a 6.41 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB over 39.1 innings while adding 10 holds. The Royals rank 29th in the majors with a 5.19 bullpen ERA, so Clarke is far from the only reliever struggling to be effective for Kansas City.

Schreiber (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list Sunday versus the Mets or next Tuesday against Atlanta, MLB.com reports.

Schreiber has made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Worcester and is expected to pitch in back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday. That could be his final test before he rejoins the Red Sox bullpen. Schreiber has been sidelined since mid-May with a right shoulder strain.

Yarbrough is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.

As expected, Yarbrough will stick around in the Kansas City rotation after he returned from the 60-day injured list in impressive fashion in the Royals' final game before the All-Star break July 9. He worked six innings against the Guardians that day, striking out five while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk en route to claiming his second win of the season. Before missing two months after suffering multiple fractures to his head when he was struck by a line drive in a May 7 outing, Yarbrough had accrued a 6.15 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 6.2 K-BB% in 26.1 innings, so his overall body of work doesn't inspire much confidence for his fantasy outlook moving forward despite his strong showing versus the Guardians.