MLB Player News

Whalen was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Whalen made one appearance with the Mariners this season, allowing one hit and one walk over four scoreless innings in June. The 24-year-old has a 5.48 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 110 minor-league innings this season.

Chapman (knee) has no official timetable for his return and general manager Brian Cashman indicated the Yankees aren't sure he will be able to return this season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Surgery apparently isn't on the table for Chapman at this point and the Yankees currently expect him to return this season, but the uncertainly of the situation remains worrisome. The veteran left-hander received multiple PRP injections in his left knee over the last week of August, and the knee's response to said injections in the coming days could provide some indication of his progress or lack thereof.

Leiter was claimed off waivers by Toronto on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has a 5.03 ERA in 107.1 career major-league innings, though his underlying numbers are respectable. His 8.1 percent career walk rate is roughly average, while his 20.3 percent strikeout rate is slightly below average and his 49.1 percent groundball rate is above average, suggesting that he could at least be a competent swingman.

The Twins are expected to promote LIttell from Triple-A Rochester to start Sunday against the Rangers, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 St. Paul reports.

Littell wasn't included among the wave of September callups the Twins announced following Friday's game, but it sounds like he'll be officially added to the active roster ahead of the series finale and slot in as Minnesota's sixth starter. The 22-year-old has previously made two appearances (one start) with the Twins, giving up seven runs on seven hits and six walks across 3.1 innings. Littell isn't regarded as a high-end prospect, so he likely won't be worthy of much attention outside of most AL-only formats until his numbers warrant a longer look.

Norris (groin) was activated from the disabled list ahead of his scheduled start Saturday against the Yankees.

As expected, Norris will return to the Tigers' starting rotation after spending the past four months on the shelf with a groin injury. The southpaw made five appearances -- including two starts -- with the big club before the injury, compiling a 5.87 ERA and 18:9 K:BB across 15.1 innings. Norris faces a tough Yankees lineup in his first game back.

Scott was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.

Scott will join the Red Sox for the stretch run after posting an impressive 1.86 ERA and 63:21 K:BB across 48.1 innings with the PawSox. The southpaw has allowed four runs in 2.1 major-league innings this season, but he compiled a solid 3.79 ERA across 35.2 innings with the big club in 2017, so he should see some opportunities in September.

Barria (9-8) picked up the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Astros, allowing three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out four.

Houston only managed to get one runner into scoring position against the right-hander, but after Martin Maldonado and George Springer hit consecutive one-out singles in the third inning, Barria calmly stranded Maldonado at third base by retiring Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve. Barria will carry a 3.46 ERA into his next start Wednesday on the road against the Rangers.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister is anxious to see how Sadzeck's fastball plays in the majors, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Sadzeck, who was an 11th-round draft pick out of Howard College in 2011, brings a fastball that can hit 100 mph. Banister is excited to see how the fastball, coming with angle from the 6-foot-7 right-hander, will play against major-league hitters. "There has been some intrigue on my part since I saw him for the first time in the (2015) Arizona Fall League," Banister said. "Wiped out three hitters and every pitch was 98 or above with angle. So, I know in the past whether it has been some injuries or the walks -- I know this year in spring training didn't go as well as he'd like -- but it's still a big arm. Power plays at this level and he's big and creates angles. Guys like that come in and throw strikes, they can be challenging for hitters." The 26-year-old is past being considered a prospect, but he transitioned from starter to reliever last summer and that big fastball/breaking-ball combo could play more effectively out of the bullpen.

Treinen got the save against the Mariners on Friday, striking out two without allowing a baserunner to lock down Oakland's 7-5 victory.

There aren't many closers who can offer the type of peace of mind Treinen can these days, as you can basically pencil him in for a clean save whenever he's presented with an opportunity to get one. His latest easy effort against Seattle gives him 34 in 38 chances this season, a number that's supported by his ridiculous 0.94 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. To top it all off, he's also struck out 91 batters in 67 innings.

Belisle (knee) was activated from the 10-day DL on Friday.

Belisle has missed the last 22 games due to right knee chondromalacia. He's been terrible since he joined the Twins with a 9.15 ERA in 19.2 IP. The Twins are likely keeping him on the roster to mentor several younger players in the bullpen.