MLB Player News

Akin will rejoin the Orioles starting rotation sometime next week, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

He'll take the spot of Alexander Wells, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after starting Tuesday. Baltimore has scheduled off days Thursday and Monday, so Akin's return to the rotation could be pushed until late next week. The left-hander may continue to be available out of the bullpen until the team determines exactly when his next start will be.

The Angels selected Naughton's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The southpaw has appeared in 11 games (eight starts) at Triple-A this season, posting a 5.23 ERA and 49:13 K:BB in 51.2 innings. It's unclear whether Naughton will be used as a starter or reliever, but either way, he will be making his major-league debut when he first takes the mound. Chris Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

The Angels optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After working as a reliever in his first 13 big-league appearances, Rodriguez made his first career start Monday against the Rangers, covering six innings and striking out seven while giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks. Rodriguez's demotion appears to be mostly for roster-management purposes rather than a performance-based decision. As Fletcher notes, the Angels have a doubleheader coming up Aug. 10 in Toronto, and Rodriguez would be eligible to rejoin the big club before the minimum 10 days to start one half of the twin bill.

Diplan's contract was selected by the Orioles on Wednesday.

Diplan began the year at Triple-A Norfolk after he was designated for assignment in January, and he recorded a 4.12 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 19.2 innings across 17 relief appearances. He'll serve as a low-leverage reliever for Baltimore and will be in line to make his major-league debut.

The Red Sox reinstated Barnes (illness) from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

Barnes was placed on the IL on Tuesday while he was recovering from an illness, but the Red Sox's decision to deactivate him looks to have been out of an abundance of precaution. He's tested negative for the coronavirus in the 24 hours since landing on the IL and is apparently feeling healthy again, so Barnes should be ready to pitch Wednesday against the Tigers if a save situation is presented. Infielder Jonathan Arauz was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to clear a spot on the active roster for Barnes.

The Astros optioned Abreu to their taxi squad Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to closer Ryan Pressly (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list in a corresponding move. The Astros will conclude their road trip Wednesday with a game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, so expect Abreu to report to Triple-A Sugar Land once the big club begins its homestand Thursday.

The Astros reinstated Pressly (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston optioned Bryan Abreu to the taxi squad to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Pressly, who left the team Sunday to witness the birth of his child. Though he's been reinstated, Pressly won't be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Dodgers, as the Astros have elected to give him an extra day off to spend with his family. The Astros will play a man short Wednesday before Pressly rejoins the team for Thursday's series opener versus the Twins in Houston.

Jax will make his second turn through the Twins' rotation Thursday in Houston.

After Jose Berrios was traded to the Blue Jays ahead of last week's deadline, Jax was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and made his third start of the season July 30 in St. Louis. The outing was one of the best of Jax's young big-league career, as he limited the Cardinals to one run on two hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision. With Berrios and J.A. Happ now in new locales and few attractive alternatives on hand at Triple-A or in the bullpen, Jax will likely get a long look in the big-league rotation over the final two months of the season.

McHugh (arm) completed a 21-pitch bullpen session Wednesday without issue and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the Rays' weekend series in Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Out since July 21 with right arm fatigue, McHugh appears to have performed well enough in his recent throwing sessions for the Rays to feel comfortable bringing him back from the IL without first sending him on a rehab assignment. Before McHugh was shut down, the Rays' closing picture was already in flux, and things have become even more unsettled with the team dealing away Diego Castillo to Seattle and with Pete Fairbanks (shoulder), J.P. Feyereisen (biceps) and Jeffrey Springs (knee) following McHugh to the IL. With that in mind, McHugh could factor into the mix for saves upon returning to the active roster.

Manaea (8-7) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Padres after allowing five runs on eight hits while fanning four.

Manaea started the game by giving up a solo shot to Tommy Pham, and that would set the tone for the rest of his outing. He was unable to get out of the fifth inning, and the five runs he allowed represented his highest mark since he gave up seven runs across two frames back on May 13 against the Red Sox. Manaea has given up at least three earned runs in four of his last six outings, but he still owns a solid 3.26 ERA on the season.