MLB Player News

Sborz was placed on the 15-day injured list with right biceps tendinitis Saturday.

The transaction has been backdated to Wednesday, meaning Sborz will be eligible to return in less than two weeks, though that will only be in play if his injury is particularly mild. The injury may explain Sborz's difficult stretch immediately prior to the break, when he allowed nine runs in 3.1 innings. Up to that point, he owned a 2.62 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, so his absence will be a significant one for the Rangers. John King was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

Kelly was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Kelly is up to replace Shane Bieber, who hit the injured list with elbow inflammation, though he won't be taking Bieber's place in the rotation. Kelly has worked exclusively as a reliever for Columbus this season, striking out 36 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.73 ERA. He spent two single-day stints on the big-league roster earlier in the season but didn't make an appearance on either occasion.

Harris is expected to serve as the Athletics' primary pitcher out of the bullpen Saturday against the Twins with Austin Pruitt drawing the starting assignment.

Pruitt hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, so Oakland likely won't ask him to work more than once through the batting order before turning the game over to Harris. Though Harris had been one of Oakland's more reliable starters since joining the rotation in late May, he labored in his final three outings before the All-Star break (9.20 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB in 14.2 innings).

Criswell was recalled by the Rays to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Criswell is expected to either start the nightcap or serve as the bulk reliever. All six of Criswell's big-league appearances this season have come in relief, but all have lasted at least 2.1 innings. He owns a 5.14 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, though those numbers are inflated by a .362 BABIP.

Pruitt will serve as Oakland's opening pitcher in Saturday's game agains the Twins.

Pruitt will most likely cover anywhere from 1-to-3 innings prior to turning the game over to Hogan Harris, who had been in line to start Saturday before the Athletics made the late decision to deploy him behind an opener. Over his previous four assignments as an opener this season, Pruitt has allowed six earned runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out two over 6.2 innings.

Jackson (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the team's official site reports.

The right-hander's absence due to a flexor tendon strain is approaching two months, yet Saturday's planned activity is certainly a step in the right direction. Jackson will eventually be ticketed for a lengthy rehab assignment given how long he's been sidelined, but even that step is still likely weeks away.

Staumont (neck) is expected to have thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in the coming days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Staumont's upcoming surgery will almost certainly end his season. The right-hander will close 2023 with a mediocre 5.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB through 20 innings. The Royals have not indicated if he'll be delayed to start spring training in 2024. Staumont was moved to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Hentges (1-1) took the loss Friday versus the Rangers. He failed to record an out while allowing three runs on two hits and a walk.

Hentges was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the seventh inning but instead created a mess that saw the Guardians trailing by four by the end of the frame. The southpaw has yet to have an outing in which he's allowed a single run -- he's given up multiple runs seven times, including in each of his last three appearances, while adding 18 scoreless outings. He's at a 5.40 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB with eight holds through 23.1 innings this season.

Fujinami (5-8) took the loss Friday against the Twins, allowing two earned runs on two hits over 1.2 innings. He struck out three.

Fujinami fired 20 of his 27 pitches for strikes, but the two-run home run he surrendered to Joey Gallo in the ninth inning snapped a 3-3 tie and ultimately saddled the right-hander with the loss. Fujinami saw a six-appearance scoreless streak snapped in the process, but despite the stumble, he's been much more of a fantasy asset since moving to the bullpen in late April following a mostly disastrous stay in the rotation over the first month of the campaign.

Bautista struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 24th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander continues to dominate. Bautista has struck out multiple batters in 13 of 14 appearances since the beginning of June, posting a 0.56 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and incredible 32:2 K:BB through 16 innings over that stretch while converting 10 of 11 save chances. He now sits three saves behind major-league leader Camilo Doval's 27.