MLB Player News

Stewart (elbow) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The activity marked Stewart's first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a setback with his injured right elbow in late July. Stewart been on the shelf since late June with what was originally diagnosed as elbow tendinitis. He's aiming to return around Sept. 10.

Cleveland optioned Herrin to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Herrin has struggled to a 5.53 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across his first 27.2 major-league innings this season. Cody Morris is up from Columbus to fill the vacant spot in the Guardians' bullpen.

Cleveland recalled Morris from Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Morris will join the Guardians' bullpen ahead of Friday's series opener in Toronto. The 26-year-old right-hander has surrendered four earned runs on seven hits and two walks in just four major-league innings this season.

Kansas City recalled Snider from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Snider has allowed four earned runs over 4.2 major-league innings this season, and his minor-league numbers aren't much better, but the Royals need a fresh bullpen arm after having to place Taylor Clarke on the family medical emergency list.

Kansas City placed Clarke on the family medical emergency list Friday.

Clarke will be away from the Royals for at least part of their three-game weekend series in Seattle. Collin Snider has been recalled in a corresponding move.

Boston claimed Weiss off waivers from the Angels on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester.

Weiss was designated for assignment by the Angels on Tuesday and has found a new home in the Red Sox system. The 31-year-old reliever owns a career 5.79 ERA in only 18.2 total innings of work at the major-league level.

Erceg (3-3) recorded the win against the White Sox on Thursday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he allowed a hit and issued a walk.

Erceg followed starter Ken Waldichuk and navigated around some trouble during his one frame. The right-hander was then rewarded for his work when Zack Gelof put the Athletics up for good in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. Erceg may be starting to hit his stride, as he's now produced scoreless efforts in three of his last four appearances despite issuing one free pass in each of those outings.

Smith allowed one run on one hit over one inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

The Rangers' bullpen blew another lead, although the save was blown by, and the loss credited to, Josh Sborz prior to Smith entering the game with the bases loaded and no outs. Smith's contributions to the loss was to give up a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers. This was the sixth time in the last eight appearances that Smith has allowed a run, and the Rangers' closer has a 14.21 ERA with two losses and two blown saves during that run. Texas manager Bruce Bochy has not indicated a change is brewing at closer, but Aroldis Chapman would be the most likely candidate to take over should Smith be removed from the role.

Leclerc struck out two over a scoreless relief inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

The Rangers' bullpen has been shaky during the team's seven-game losing streak, and it blew another lead Thursday. None of that is on Leclerc, the one-time closer who has a 1.53 ERA over 17.2 innings since coming off the injured list in early July. More importantly, he's limited his bases on balls with just four walks (2.0 BB/9) during that stretch. Before landing on the IL, Leclerc walked 15 batters over 25 innings (5.4 BB/9). If Texas manager Bruce Bochy moves on from Will Smith as the team's closer, Aroldis Chapman could emerge as the primary closer, but Leclerc's sterling work could put him back into high-leverage consideration.

Fairbanks picked up the save Thursday against Colorado, allowing one hit while striking out three over a scoreless inning.

Fairbanks entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and struck out Alan Trejo on eight pitches before allowing an infield single to Elehuris Montero in the following at-bat. The right-hander then secured his 16th save by getting the next two batters to go down swinging as the Rays won their fourth straight. Fairbanks has allowed just one hit over his last five appearances, registering two wins and a save over that stretch.