MLB Player News

Kelly (hamstring) will throw live batting practice Monday, Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Throwing live batting practice should be the final step before Kelly heads out on what figures to be a short rehab assignment in the minors. Kelly should be included as part of the setup group once activated from the disabled list, pitching the seventh and eighth innings.

The Twins acquired Littell and minor-league pitcher Dietrich Enns from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for Jaime Garcia and cash considerations, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Littell is the higher regarded of the two prospects in the deal, with the 21-year-old enjoying a productive campaign split between the High-A and Double-A levels. In a combined 115.1 innings this season, the right-hander has delivered a 1.87 ERA and 8.5 K/9 rate while generating a 52 percent groundball rate. He sports a four-pitch mix and has shown above-average control, but scouts remain divided about whether any of Littell's offerings will grade out as plus pitches in the majors, which may hurt his chances of starting long term. It's expected that Littell will report to Double-A Chattanooga with his new organization.

Rogers was given a chance to record the first save of his career, but gave up two runs on a home run in the ninth inning of Saturday's loss to Oakland. Brandon Kintzler was unavailable after throwing 99 pitches in the prior seven days, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Rogers has struggled the past week by giving up home runs in key spots that led to two blown leads. He's given up seven earned runs in his last 2.1 innings with three walks and two home runs allowed.

Wilson pitched a scoreless inning while allowing one hit to earn his 13th save Saturday against the Astros.

Wilson was protecting a two-run lead, and despite allowing a baserunner, he shut the door on the Astros to pick up the save. He's recorded six saves this month, and he has an outstanding 2.68 ERA and 0.94 WHIP on the season, so he should continue to be a strong fantasy option at closer.

McHugh allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings in a no-decision against the Tigers on Saturday.

McHugh held the Tigers scoreless until the fifth inning and left the game with a 3-1 lead before the bullpen cost him a shot at his first win of the season. This outing was much better than his season debut last week, and fantasy teams in need of pitching should be encouraged by his performance. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Rays.

Diaz allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning to earn his 19th save Saturday against the Mets.

Fortunately, Diaz was protecting a two-run lead, so the run he allowed didn't cost him a blown save. Despite already blowing five saves on the year, his 3.30 ERA and ability to collect saves makes him a valuable fantasy option.

Lawrence struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Mets.

The rookie needed only seven pitches, six of which he threw for strikes, to dispose of Rene Rivera, Michael Conforto and Asdrubal Cabrera. Lawrence has bounced around this season while putting in time with both the Blue Jays and Mariners, but he seemed to be figuring things out in his most recent stint with Triple-A Tacoma. The 29-year-old right-hander has been groomed as a starter with the Rainiers, so he could conceivably take a turn in the rotation as well if necessary.

Devenski has allowed a home run in four of his last seven appearances (7.2 innings).

The 26-year-old had allowed only four home runs all season prior to this stretch and has seen his ERA climb from 2.09 to 2.88. Devenski still has a 6-3 record with 15 holds, a 0.83 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 on the season. The right-hander remains a versatile bullpen option for the Astros and in all fantasy formats.

Diekman (abdomen) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Sam Butler of MLB.com reports.

After completing a 35-pitch session without issue Wednesday, Diekman will take the mound again Saturday before likely facing live hitters in batting practice before the Rangers' homestand concludes next week. Diekman, who has been sidelined all season while recovering from three surgeries to correct ulcerative colitis, said that he'll need at least one rehab appearance before returning from the 60-day disabled list, likely around mid-August.

Scribner was called up by the Angels on Saturday.

The 26-year-old will get his first major-league opportunity, replacing Nick Franklin on both the 40-man and active rosters. He's had some issues with the long ball at Triple-A Salt Lake this year (13 home runs allowed in 97.1 innings), but he's missing bats at a good clip, and most importantly, he can provide length behind Yusmeiro Petit in what will be a bullpen game for the Angels on Saturday.