MLB Player News

Stanek is slated to start Saturday's matchup against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Stanek is poised to open his 15th game of the season, and he sports an outstanding 1.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 49 strikeouts over 38.2 innings. Jalen Beeks will take over as the long reliever following Stanek's departure from the ballgame.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Perez will head back to the minor leagues to make room for Ryan Pressly on the 25-man roster. Perez appeared in three games with the big club, allowing two runs on three hits while fanning five across four innings out of the bullpen.

Axford will get the nod for Saturday's matchup against the White Sox, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Don't expect Axford to toss more than two innings, as he figures to serve as Toronto's opener in a bullpen day. He's struggled through 44 appearances this season, accruing a 4.69 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 47 strikeouts over 48 innings in 2018.

Alcala was traded to the Twins from Houston along with Gilberto Celstino in exchange for Ryan Pressly on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Alcala has posted a 3.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with a 37:17 K:BB over 40 innings this season at Double-A Corpus Christi, so there's still some work to be done before he's ready to surface in the big leagues. The Twins will hope to develop this young arm within the next few years, as he was rated Houston's No. 8 prospect.

Pressly was traded to Houston from Minnesota in exchange for Jorge Alcala and Gilberto Celestino on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports

Pressly will head to Houston with the hope of bolstering an already stellar bullpen. The 29-year-old right-hander sports a 3.40 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 69 strikeouts over 47.2 innings this season, as he figures to be deployed in mid-to-high leverage situations with the Astros as they look to make another deep postseason run.

Barnes (knee) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Barnes will take the mound in a live game for the first time in over a month after being placed on the 10-day DL due to left knee tendinitis in late June. The right-hander will likely require multiple appearances with Buffalo before being activated.

Duran was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Twins on Thursday along with Gabriel Maciel and Ernie De La Trinidad in exchange for Eduardo Escobar, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

While Duran is a long way from the majors, he has an electric arm, plus an ideal 6-foot-5, 175-pound frame for a 20-year-old hurler and developing secondary pitches in his slider and changeup. Duran's command needs some work for him to make it as a starter, but he has plenty of time to get that ironed out. He had a 4.73 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 71:28 K:BB in 64.2 innings (15 starts) for Low-A Kane County.

Kittredge was called up from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge will take the roster spot of Jonny Venters, who was traded to Atlanta on Thursday for international bonus pool money. Over 16 appearances with the Rays this year, Kittredge has "opened" three games and logged a 7.77 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with a pedestrian 15:10 K:BB across 22 innings. Look for him to be deployed in low-leverage situations, though he could be called upon to start a game or two should the Rays deem it necessary.

Jurado will be recalled from Double-A Frisco in order to join the Rangers' rotation and start Saturday's game against Houston, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

It appears as though Jurado will temporarily take the place of Cole Hamels in the rotation after he was dealt to the Cubs on Thursday. President of baseball operations and general manager Jon Daniels said the Rangers will "reassess the situation" after the trade deadline, so Jurado may only receive a brief opportunity with the big-league club. Over 16 starts with Frisco this year, he's logged a 3.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 3.9 K/9.

Johnson allowed four hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 scoreless innings Thursday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Johnson recorded his longest start since his season debut April 2. He did not allow the Twins to record an extra-base hit, continuing his season-long ability to limit the long ball. While he has had success in short outings as a starter, it has already been announced that he will be bumped from the starting rotation with the acquisition of Nathan Eovaldi.