MLB Player News

The Astros claimed Cousins (shoulder) off waivers from the Brewers on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Cousins owns a 3.08 ERA and a 31.4 percent strikeout rate over 52.2 innings in parts of three seasons in the big leagues, but he's struggled with reining in free passes throughout his career (16.2 BB%) and hasn't been able to stay healthy in either of the past two seasons. He last pitched for Milwaukee on June 3 before landing on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, but he's already made five rehab appearances in the minors and should be on the cusp of a return. The 29-year-old has two minor-league options remaining, so Houston could elect to send him to Triple-A Sugar Land once he's reinstated from the IL rather than getting an immediate look at him with the big club.

Marinaccio was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Marinaccio came into the year looking to build on a breakout 2022 campaign, but he has given up eight earned runs on eight hits and five walks over his last eight appearances (7.1 innings), so he will get a reset at Triple-A. Jhony Brito was recalled to take Marinaccio's place in the bullpen.

Jimenez (shoulder) fired a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sugar Land on Sunday.

Jimenez was making his fourth rehab appearance overall and was able to bounce back from a rocky outing Thursday where he'd surrendered three earned runs over one-third of an inning. Sunday's appearance was Jimenez's first with the Aviators in which he didn't allow a run, so the Athletics would likely want to see him build up some more momentum before activating him.

Estevez (5-1) earned the win in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over two innings.

Working two full innings for the first time this season, Estevez allowed just the free runner to score in the 10th inning to lock down a 3-2 win. The 30-year-old Estevez now has wins in his last two appearances -- his ERA is down to 1.88 with a 1.33 WHIP and 53:22 K:BB across 43 innings this season while going a perfect 23-for-23 in save chances. The Angels have already brought Reynaldo Lopez in to help bolster their bullpen, and other additions are likely, though Estevez should maintain a firm grasp on the ninth-inning job.

Akin (back) reported to the Orioles' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Monday to begin a rehab assignment.

Akin has been on the IL since June 30 due to lower-back discomfort but has now advanced to the final stage of his rehab program. He'll likely make an appearance in the FCL on Monday before advancing to a higher-level affiliate later in the week. Once the Orioles deem Akin ready to return from the IL, he'll presumably be ticketed for a lower-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Garcia's $6 million option for 2024 vested Sunday during his relief appearance in Toronto's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Angels, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Though Garcia took his fourth loss of the season while allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit in the outing, he was at least able to earn himself a guaranteed contract for 2024 in the process. Per the terms of the two-year deal Garcia signed with Toronto in November 2021, Garcia triggered the $6 million option since the relief appearance was his 110th between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The 32-year-old right-hander will remain locked into a key late-inning role for the Blue Jays for the foreseeable future, though his path to picking up saves in the short-term became more challenging after Toronto acquired hard-throwing righty Jordan Hicks from St. Louis on Sunday to bolster the back end of the bullpen while All-Star closer Jordan Romano (back) is on the injured list.

Anderson will likely be optioned back to the minors when the Rangers' trade acquisitions arrive for Tuesday's homestand opener against the White Sox, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Anderson was called up to the majors Sunday after the Rangers placed starter Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) on the injured list. Once Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton arrive, Anderson could be headed back to Triple-A Round Rock.

Littell (1-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on eight hits over five innings against the Astros. He struck out four.

Though Sunday's game was expected to be a bullpen day for the Rays, Littell managed to last five innings and was stretched out to 82 pitches after having thrown fewer than three innings in all but one of his appearances this season. Despite allowing eight hits, Littell held the Astros scoreless heading into the fifth, where he allowed back-to-back singles and a double during a two-run inning. Considering the Rays are battling a multitude of injuries in their starting rotation, they may continue to stretch Littell out if he proves to be a reliable innings eater.

Hernandez secured his first-career save Sunday in a 2-1 win over the Twins. He did not allow a hit, but did walk a batter and struck out two.

Hernandez was called upon to close out the game in the ninth with Scott Barlow presumably unavailable after throwing 41 pitches over the last two days. Hernandez has now recorded three holds and a save while tossing four shutout innings in his last four appearances. He's a prime candidate to take over the Royals' closing duties if Barlow were to get dealt to a contending team before the deadline. Hernandez is putting up career-best numbers thus far, posting a 3.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 63:15 K:BB in 53 innings.

Yarbrough (4-5) earned the win over the Twins on Sunday after allowing one run on seven hits while striking out five over seven innings.

Yarbrough's five strikeouts tied his season high, and the seven innings was the longest he's gone this year. He generated 12 whiffs and a 32 percent CSW (called strikes plus whiffs) and has continued to be a pleasant surprise for the Royals since returning from the IL on July 9. In four starts since then, Yarbrough's posted a 2.19 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 24.2 innings. The southpaw currently lines up for a tough test against the Phillies on the road next weekend.