MLB Player News

The Athletics acquired Newcomb from the Giants on Monday in exchange for Trenton Brooks.

Newcomb posted a 3.16 ERA and 40:20 K:BB over 31.1 innings this season at Triple-A Sacramento. Now a full-time reliever, the left-handed Newcomb will report to Triple-A Las Vegas for the time being but could get another shot at the big-league level with the Athletics eventually.

Smith (1-5) blew a save and took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

There may be some noise around the fact that Texas manager Bruce Bochy elected to go to Aroldis Chapman rather than Smith with the Rangers up 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, though Chapman was unable to seal the deal. When the Rangers took a two-run lead in the top of the 11th, Smith got his save opportunity after all, but he also blew it, allowing back-to-back two-out doubles to allow three runs to cross the plate. It's been a rough stretch of late for the veteran reliever, as he's posted a 15.19 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and two blown saves over his past seven outings. Chapman, by contrast, has allowed just one run while registering a 19:3 K:BB over 10 innings through 10 appearances in August, so Monday's developments may be more than just a one-game thing, though there's been no official word of Smith moving out of the closer role.

Chapman blew a save against the Diamondbacks on Monday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters over two innings.

With Texas ahead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth, it was Chapman who got the call from the bullpen to close things out. He couldn't do so, allowing a game-tying solo home run to Ketel Marte with one out. Chapman did settle down from there to finish that frame and the 10th without allowing any more runs, and he looked to be in line for the win when Texas scored twice in the top of the 11th. However, Will Smith -- who has been working as the Rangers' primary closer of late -- coughed up three two-out runs to blow a save opportunity of his own. Smith has blown two of five save chances over his past seven outings while posting a 15.19 ERA and 2.25 WHIP, so Chapman could be in line for more ninth-inning opportunities, though there hasn't yet been any word of a changing of the guard between the duo.

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.