MLB Player News

Pressly (back) threw another bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return from the injured list when first eligible, MLB.com reports.

Saturday's activity marked Pressly's second bullpen session since being placed on the injured list. Manager Joe Espada also noted that Pressly won't need a rehab assignment, putting him in line to return Aug. 29.

The Royals recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

He'll absorb the roster spot vacated by Will Smith (back), who was placed on the injured list. Hernandez has permitted eight runs (six earned) with a 14:9 K:BB over 15.2 frames this season during his time with the big club.

The Royals placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Monday with low-back spasms.

Smith had been bludgeoned for 14 runs over 4.2 innings cover his last five appearances. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined. Carlos Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take Smith's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

The Red Sox selected Keller's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Keller rejected an option to Worcester earlier this month before re-signing with Boston on a minor-league deal. He's now back in the big leagues to provide a fresh arm for Boston's bullpen.

The Red Sox designated Rodriguez for assignment Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Rodriguez pitched in all three games of the team's weekend series against the Diamondbacks, giving up one run over 2.2 frames. The lefty cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Worcester back in April, and that could happen again.

The Guardians re-signed Gose to a minor-league contract Saturday.

As expected, Gose cleared waivers after the Guardians recently designated him for assignment for the second time this month. The 34-year-old lefty elected free agency Friday after being outrighted, only to re-sign with Cleveland a day later. He will stick around in the organization as a bullpen arm for Columbus.

The Royals optioned Zerpa to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Zerpa leads Kansas City with 53 appearances this season and has pitched well for the bulk of the campaign, but in August, he's turned in a 9.82 ERA and 4:8 K:BB in 7.1 frames. Daniel Lynch was called up from Triple-A to take Zerpa's spot in the bullpen.

Lopez came away with a no-decision Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings.

Lopez impressed in a road spot start against one of baseball's best lineups, limiting the Dodgers to a lot of weak contact and generating a fair share of whiffs with his slider. He blanked the home squad through four innings before Enrique Hernandez took him deep in the fifth for the game's first run, but the Rays were able to take Lopez off the hook for the loss. The southpaw presumably will be optioned back to Triple-A Durham with Erasmo Ramirez set to be called up Monday, but Lopez could see another stint in the majors over the final month if an injury opens up a role for him.

Hader walked a batter over a scoreless inning to pick up the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Orioles.

Hader only threw five strikes out of the 12 pitches he needed to get through the frame. He began with a leadoff walk to Gunnar Henderson before getting a lineout and erasing the walk with a game-ending double play. Hader is now working on 11 straight scoreless appearances dating back to July 31. He's allowed just two hits and has posted a 12:4 K:BB while picking up eight saves over that span. He's sitting tied for fifth in baseball with 28 saves to compliment a 3.30 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 84:19 K:BB in 57.1 innings this season.

Hendriks (elbow) allowed one unearned run on one hit and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning for Double-A Portland on Sunday.

Hendriks made the third appearance of his rehab assignment, throwing 19 pitches (13 for strikes). The pitcher is expected to make another three to five appearances in the minors before he's evaluated for activation.