MLB Player News

Patino is expected to start Saturday's game in Kansas City, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

According to Topkin, the Rays prefer to push their top two starters -- All-Star Shane McClanahan and two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber -- to the back of the rotation to begin the second half, so Patino appears primed to take the hill for Tampa Bay's second game out of the All-Star break. In his return from the 60-day injured list July 15 against Baltimore, Patino started but was pulled after 3.1 innings (56 pitches). The light workload was likely the result of Patino being nearly two weeks removed from his last rehab outing, but he should have a longer leash Saturday.

The Royals announced Thursday that Brentz recently underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

The 27-year-old has been sidelined by an elbow strain since late April, and he began a minor-league rehab assignment in mid-June only to be pulled after one appearance. Given the timing of the procedure, Brentz is likely to miss the entirety of the 2023 campaign in addition to the rest of this season.

Criswell was outrighted to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Criswell was claimed off waivers from the Angels on Saturday but was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He cleared waivers this time around and will report to Durham as planned after being cast off the 40-man roster.

The Tigers reinstated Cisnero (personal) from the bereavement list in advance of Thursday's doubleheader with the Athletics.

Cisnero is poised to make his season debut as the Tigers open their second-half schedule. The right-hander was placed on the injured list coming out of spring training with a right shoulder strain, only to be placed on the bereavement list by Detroit when he was officially reinstated to the 40-man roster July 15. Cisnero appears to have taken care of whatever personal matter kept him away from the team last weekend, so he'll rejoin the Detroit bullpen and be part of the bridge to closer Gregory Soto.

The Tigers placed Brieske on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right forearm soreness.

Though forearm soreness can often be a precursor to a more significant injury, the Tigers don't appear to be overly concerned about Brieske's move to the IL, which is retroactive to July 18. According to Matt Shepard of Bally Sports Detroit, manager A.J. Hinch said that the rookie won't be shut down from throwing while he's on the shelf and should only miss a couple of turns through the rotation. The right-hander had been on a roll prior to the injury, producing three consecutive quality starts prior to the All-Star break. Jose Cisnero was reinstated from the bereavement list Thursday and will replace Brieske on the active roster.

Hearn is scheduled to make a start or work as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen in Saturday's game in Oakland, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The southpaw is getting a second straight turn through the rotation after he worked four innings and struck out seven while allowing four runs (two earned) in his return from Triple-A Round Rock on July 15 versus the Mariners. Hearn could be headed back to Round Rock or to the bullpen after Saturday's outing, as the Rangers plan to add Dane Dunning (ankle) back from the 15-day injured list and into the rotation next week in Seattle.

The Athletics recalled Logue from Triple-A Las Vegas to start the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Oakland is designating Logue as its 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll presumably be headed back to Las Vegas immediately after the spot start. Over his previous seven outings (six starts) with the Athletics this season, the rookie left-hander has compiled a 5.16 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB in 29.2 innings.

Mushinski (elbow) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Mushinski began a rehab assignment in early July and allowed seven runs in four innings over five minor-league appearances. However, he's back to full health and will rejoin the Astros' bullpen after Ryan Pressly (personal) was placed on the paternity list Thursday.

The Astros placed Pressly on the paternity list Thursday.

Pressly has struck out 17 in nine scoreless innings over his last eight appearances, but he'll spend some time away from the team following the birth of his daughter. Rafael Montero, Hector Neris and Ryne Stanek are candidates for closing duties over the next few days, while Parker Mushinski (elbow) will be activated to provide an additional arm in the bullpen.

Nittoli agreed with the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Nittoli will continue his career with another American League East organization after opting out of his minor-league deal with the Yankees earlier this week. Though the 31-year-old is expected to report to the Blue Jays' top affiliate in Buffalo, he should have a clearer path to a promotion to the big-league bullpen if he continues to perform as well as he did with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre prior to electing free agency. Over his 22 appearances for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate spanning 36.2 innings, Nittoli turned in a 3.44 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:13 K:BB.