MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Murphy to Triple-A Worcester following Monday's 9-4 loss to the Astros, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Murphy allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out four over four innings of long relief Monday. He's now given up 11 runs over his last four appearances (10.1 innings) and will head to the minors. The Red Sox will reinstate Tanner Houck (face) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Tuesday to fill Murphy's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Brieske (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits across an inning of work to take the loss Monday against the Cubs.

Brieske had been fairly sharp before Monday, as he entered the contest with a tidy 2.12 ERA over 17 innings of work. The righty had also only allowed one run this month, but the Cubs got to him in the ninth inning, pushing his ERA to 3.00 for the season. Brieske should stick in a high-leverage relief role for the Tigers despite the hiccup.

Harris could be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas this week to join Oakland's rotation, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Outside of a few brief stretches, Harris has had little success at both the big-league and Triple-A levels this season, but he looks poised to get another look in Oakland with yet another starter in Luis Medina (finger) going on the injured list Monday. The Athletics now have openings in the rotation for games Tuesday and Wednesday against the Royals, and Harris could be a candidate to start either of those days. Harris is well rested after having not pitched at Triple-A since Aug. 15.

Oakland selected Patton's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Patton has been with Las Vegas since being designated for assignment by the Athletics in mid-May, and he ultimately wound up earning another look from the big club. He will provide depth in Oakland's bullpen.

Maton (elbow) could return from the 15-day injured list Sunday when first eligible, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maton threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Monday without issue, and he's set to throw another Wednesday. If all goes well Wednesday, Maton looks like he could return to the Houston bullpen this weekend without going on a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand.

Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Martinez was optioned to the Triple-A level after being tagged for seven earned runs in his last appearance with the Astros, but he earned his way back to the big leagues by blanking the opponent in six the seven minor-league games he appeared in since the start of August.

The White Sox optioned Cronin to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Cronin will head back to the minors to clear room on the 26-man active roster for designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (groin), who was reinstated from the paternity list. After garnering his first big-league call-up July 28, Cronin proceeded to make five appearances out of the White Sox bullpen, logging a 7.71 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over seven innings.

McCaughan was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

McCaughan had a trio of stints with the Mariners earlier in the year, and he will get another one before August comes to a close. He was not up for long in any of the three previous instances, and that could be the case again this time around with fellow pitcher Bryan Woo (forearm) on the verge of a return.

McCaughan is headed to Chicago to join the Mariners and could be recalled prior to the team's series opener Monday versus the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Devin Sweet is also travelling with McCaughan from Tacoma to Chicago and one of them is expected to take the roster spot vacated by Emerson Hancock (shoulder). Seattle might opt to add both pitchers to the bullpen after they needed seven innings of relief Sunday in Houston following Hancock's injury.

Sweet has joined the Mariners in Chicago and could be recalled prior to the start of their series versus the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The Mariners' bullpen is in need of reinforcements after Emerson Hancock lasted just two innings Sunday in Houston before exiting with a shoulder injury. Darren McCaughan has also joined the M's in Chicago and at least one of he or Sweet will be added to the roster as Hancock's replacement.