MLB Player News

Texas manager Chris Woodward said Barlow (finger) could be activated in advance of Tuesday's series opener with the Astros, MLB.com reports.

Barlow made a third rehab appearance Saturday, walking one over a scoreless 1.2 innings for Triple-A Round Rock. Two of his three rehab outings lasted 1.2 innings, which could portend his usage when he returns to the majors. Barlow had been the Rangers' closer but was removed from the role early in July. Woodward has been using Jonathan Hernandez in that role for now.

Winder (shoulder) will begin a bullpen progression Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla. in hopes of a September return, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Winder looked as though he might have been a candidate to get shut down for the season after he landed on Triple-A St. Paul's 7-day injured list July 23 with right shoulder impingement syndrome, but he's apparently recovering more quickly than expected. He'll still need about three weeks to get fully ramped back up, so he won't be a realistic candidate to return from the Triple-A IL and rejoin the Twins until the roster expands in September.

Soto (2-6) allowed five runs on two hits and three walks against the Rays on Sunday. He recorded two outs and took the loss.

Soto entered a scoreless contest in the ninth inning and quickly lost control of things. He coughed up two runs and was charged with all three runners he left on base. He had gone eight straight appearances without allowing an earned run, and he saw his ERA jump to 3.26 after his worst outing of the season. Soto is still riding a streak of seven straight converted saves.

Romano (4-3) blew the save but picked up the win in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Twins. He allowed one run on two hits and zero walks while striking out one over two innings.

The Blue Jays' closer entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth inning and allowed a run on a hit-by-pitch, a pair of singles and a fielder's choice. Toronto went on to score a run in the top of the 10th to give Romano the lead, which he sealed for the win with a clean frame. As the Blue Jays are in the heat of the AL playoff race, interim skipper John Schneider opted to let Romano pitch two innings for the first time this season. If that trend continues, Romano could sneak more counting stats and a couple of additional wins this season.

Clase struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save during Sunday's win over the Astros.

Clase's last two appearances came in non-save situations, but he preserved the Guardians' one-run lead during Sunday's low-scoring matchup to pick up his 24th save of the season. The right-hander gave up a run Saturday against Houston but has still been dominant following the All-Star break, posting a 1.13 ERA in eight innings over his last eight outings.

Merryweather (oblique) began a rehab assignment Saturday with the Blue Jays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, striking out two over a scoreless inning in his first appearance.

Merryweather is on the comeback trail after he had been sidelined since June 13 with a left oblique strain. After being moved to the 60-day injured list, Merryweather won't be eligible for activation until the middle of August, so he'll likely make at least a few more appearances in the minors before slotting back into the Toronto bullpen.

Martinez (2-3) took the loss Sunday against San Francisco, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five in 4.1 innings.

Martinez was called up before the game to fill the spot in the rotation left vacant when Frankie Montas was traded. The first run against Martinez came on a solo homer by Mike Yastrzemski in the third, and the second came in the fifth inning after he was removed with two on and one out. It was his fifth start of the season for Oakland and first since July 11. For the season he has a 6.08 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with six homers allowed in 23.2 innings. Should he stay with the big-league club, his next start will likely be next weekend in Houston.

Sewald pitched a perfect inning and struck out one to earn the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Angels.

Sewald took an extra-inning loss to the Angels on Friday, but he was able to help the Mariners salvage a 2-2 split in this weekend series by closing out the finale. He's allowed just one unearned over his last six innings, picking up two saves and a hold in that span. The right-hander is now 14-for-17 in save chances while adding six holds, a 3-3 record, 2.42 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 49:11 K:BB through 44.2 innings this year.

Davidson (1-3) took the loss Sunday versus the Mariners. He allowed six runs on six hits and five walks while striking out one in four innings.

Davidson's biggest mistake was a third-inning grand slam to Jesse Winker. This was Davidson's Angels debut after he was included as part of the return that sent Raisel Iglesias to Atlanta. Through 19.1 innings in five appearances (four starts), Davidson has struggled to a 7.91 ERA, 2.02 WHIP and 11:18 K:BB. He may stick in the Angels' six-man rotation, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him link up with Triple-A Salt Lake if his performance doesn't improve. If he gets another start, it would likely be at home against the Twins next weekend.

Howard (2-4) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking three in 3.1 innings.

Chicago scored a run in the second, two in the third and three in the fourth. Andrew Vaughn hit a two-run blast in the third and, after AJ Pollock and Luis Robert hit consecutive doubles with one out in the fourth, Howard was removed. Howard stepped into Texas' rotation at the beginning of July and has allowed four runs or more in four of his seven starts since then. As a starter, he has a 7.41 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 10 homers allowed in 34 innings. His next start will likely be next weekend against Seattle.