MLB Player News

Taylor (elbow) was cleared to resume his rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday and has given up two earned runs on two hits and two walks over 1.2 innings in his two appearances.

Taylor was pulled off the assignment for approximately two weeks after dealing with posterior elbow discomfort, but the lefty is in the process of ramping up again. Expect Houston to use most of the 30-day rehab window to evaluate Taylor before activating him from the 60-day injured list later this month.

Sands (elbow) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday and made his second appearance for the affiliate Sunday, covering 2.2 innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two.

Sands wasn't quite as sharp Sunday as he was during his first appearance four days earlier, when he gave up one earned run on two hits and no walks over two innings. The right-hander will likely get at least two days to rest up before the Twins decide whether to have him make another rehab outing or make his return from the 15-day injured list. He'll work as a long reliever out of the bullpen whenever he's activated.

Barlow earned the save Sunday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning of a 5-2 win in Detroit.

Barlow had no trouble with the bottom three hitters in Detroit's lineup Sunday and retired the side in order on 11 pitches. It was his 21st save of the season and first since Aug. 22. The 29-year-old has been used sparingly recently as Sunday's outing was his first appearance in the last five days. For the season, he has a 2.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB in 63 innings and will continue to close out games for the Royals.

Schreiber earned the save Sunday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning in a 5-2 win over Texas.

Schreiber ran the count full on two of the three hitters he faced but closed the door on Texas without anyone reaching base. It was his seventh save on the season and third since Aug. 27. Boston may not have a set closer at the moment but Schreiber and his 2.11 ERA and 0.89 WHIP is certainly someone manager Alex Cora trusts in important situations. The 28-year-old will likely continue to get a fair amount of save opportunities over the final month.

Holmes picked up the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over Tampa Bay. He allowed one run to score on three hits and struck out one over one inning.

In his first appearance in three games, Holmes almost blew the game as he allowed a leadoff double and a single to bring the game within one. He then surrendered another double to put the tying run at third and the winning run at second but got the next batter to strike out looking to end the game and earn his 18th save. Holmes has not been at his best recently, as he has now allowed at least one run to score in five of his last eight appearances, including three blown saves.

Armstrong (2-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing a run on one hit and one walk over three innings against the Yankees. He struck out two.

On the second pitch of the game, Armstrong served up a belt-high sinker which Aaron Judge crushed to the third deck of Tropicana Field. Armstrong was otherwise effective through three innings as he only allowed one other batter to reach base, a walk to Josh Donaldson. Despite the effort, Armstrong took the loss as the Yankees held Tampa Bay to one run. The 31-year-old now owns a 4.62 ERA through 50.2 innings this season, mainly as a reliever.

Castillo allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in 4.2 innings of a 3-2 win Sunday in Detroit. He did not factor into the decision.

Castillo was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday to fill in for Zack Greinke (forearm) in the rotation. He cruised through the first three innings, scattering a single and a walk before Harold Castro launched a two-run home run in the fourth. As a starter, he has a 3.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB in 17 innings across four starts for the Royals and Blue Jays. Should he continue in the rotation, his next start will likely be next weekend in a rematch at home against the Tigers.

Winckowski allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings in a 5-2 win Sunday against Texas. He did not factor into the decision.

Winckowski tossed at least 20 pitches in three of his four innings and was removed after throwing 82 pitches (47 strikes), with the Red Sox leading 5-2. Both runs against him came in the first inning, as the Rangers put together a walk, two hits and an RBI groundout. He's struggled to strike out batters at the big-league level and Sunday was just the second time in his last seven starts for Boston that he fanned more than two batters. The 24-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Worcester before the game to fill in for Kutter Crawford (shoulder) and, should he continue in Crawford's spot in the rotation, his next start will likely be next weekend in Baltimore. It's no guarantee Winckowski will get another turn, as the Red Sox could utilize Thursday's off day to deploy a four-man rotation.

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

Pilkinton was demoted to Triple-A after giving up two runs over five frames in a spot start for Cleveland in late July, and he'll rejoin the big club Sunday. The 24-year-old has started in nine of his 12 appearances for the Guardians and has a 4.17 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 40:24 K:BB across 45.1 innings.

Curry was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Curry took the loss Saturday against Seattle after giving up four runs (three earned) over 4.1 innings, and he'll now head back to Triple-A. Konnor Pilkington was recalled from Columbus in a corresponding move.