MLB Player News

Stewart (elbow) is expected back soon after the All-Star break, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Stewart went on the injured list last week with right elbow tendinitis and it sounds like he could have a minimum 15-day absence, or close to it. He's been a revelation out of the Twins' bullpen this season, posting a 0.70 ERA and 35:11 K:BB over 25.2 innings of work.

Smith cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Smith is no longer on the Athletics' 40-man roster but will remain in their organization. The 28-year-old has struggled in both the majors (6.75 ERA) and minors (9.61 ERA) this season.

Harris (2-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and four walks over 4.2 innings against the Tigers. He struck out six.

After giving up two runs in the first inning, Harris struck out the side in the second and appeared to be finding his groove. However, he continued to get himself into trouble, allowing the leadoff man to reach base in each of the next three innings while surrendering a season-high seven earned runs. The left-hander has now allowed at least four runs in each of his last three starts and has lost his last three decisions.

Pearson earned a save in the nightcap of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox, allowing one hit in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Game 1 of the twin bill went 11 innings, resulting in Toronto using five different pitchers, including closer Jordan Romano. As such, Pearson got the call late in the nightcap, entering with two outs in the bottom of the eighth frame. The right-hander allowed a single to Luis Robert before getting the final out in the inning, then stuck around for the bottom of the ninth, during which he induced three straight flyouts to notch the first save of his big-league career. Pearson isn't a threat to challenge Romano for save opportunities moving forward, but he's recorded five consecutive scoreless appearances, allowing just three hits and no walks over six frames during that span.

Garcia earned a save against the White Sox on Thursday by retiring both batters he faced.

The contest remained scoreless through 10 frames before Toronto put up six runs in the top of the 11th. Chicago came back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning and put two runners on base with one out, at which point Garcia was called upon to extinguish the fire. The right-hander needed just six pitches to do so, retiring both batters he faced for his first save of the campaign. Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano worked a scoreless 10th and picked up the victory, so there's nothing to see here in terms of Garcia's role -- he'll likely get some high-leverage work, but Romano has a near monopoly on save chances.

Bernardino will serve as the opener for Friday's game against the Athletics, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Bernardino filled the same role Tuesday, allowing one earned run across 1.1 innings. He's recorded exactly four outs in each of his last four big-league appearances, so he won't work deep into Friday's contest. Brandon Walter is expected to cover the majority of the innings following Bernardino.

Hatch was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Hatch was recalled Saturday, though his only appearance came Thursday, when he allowed two earned runs and recorded only one out in the opening game of the doubleheader. A former starter, Hatch has proven to be a reliable reliever with Buffalo this season, though he's never had sustained success in the majors.

Lambert was returned to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Lambert served as the 27th man for the White Sox's doubleheader against the Blue Jays. He threw the final two innings of the second game and looked impressive, holding Toronto scoreless while striking out three and allowing two hits. Lambert has had less success overall this season, maintaining a 6.29 ERA with a 28:14K:BB across 24.1 frames.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Garcia was summoned as bullpen depth Thursday, but he was optioned back to the minors the same day. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings against the Orioles, walking three and allowing two hits while striking out one. While he's spent the majority of his season at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Garcia is a long-relief option for the Yankees across the second half of the season.

Blanco (2-1) took the loss Thursday versus the Mariners, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings.

It was a quality start for Blanco, his third such effort in six starts this season. Unfortunately for the right-hander, two of the hits he surrendered were home runs to Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford, and the Astros' offense didn't offer much support. Blanco is now at a 4.70 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB over 46 innings through 15 appearances this season. It's unclear at this time if he'll be in the rotation -- or even on the big-league roster -- following the All-Star break.