MLB Player News

The Athletics designated Newcomb for assignment Tuesday.

Newcomb made just seven appearances last year for Oakland and it seems that it will be the same this year as well. After posting a 6.30 ERA across 10.0 innings in seven games for Oakland, the 31-year-old will be looking to be claimed elsewhere. In a corresponding move, Tyler Ferguson was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The Athletics recalled Ferguson from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Ferguson was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on the final day of May after posting a 4.50 ERA over 10 innings for Oakland. In Las Vegas, the 30-year-old tallied a 3.49 ERA across 28.1 innings. As part of a corresponding move Tuesday, Sean Newcomb was designated for assignment.

Topa (knee) will throw two bullpen sessions this week, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Topa has been out all season with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee, but he seems to be inching closer to a return. The reliever will need to face hitters and make a handful of rehab appearances before a clear return date can come into focus.

Stewart (shoulder) will throw two live batting practice sessions this week, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

If he comes out of them with no concerns, a rehab assignment could be next. Stewart has been out with right shoulder tendinitis since early May but looks to be tracking toward a return around the All-Star break.

Hader picked up the save in Monday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays, pitching one inning with one strikeout and allowing a solo home run.

The Houston southpaw entered the ninth with a three-run lead and fired 13 pitches to lock up his 178th career save. However, Hader also allowed his sixth homer of the year -- a 404-foot solo shot to Ernie Clement -- raising his 2024 home-run rate to 1.4 HR/9. The 30-year-old closer sports a 3.82 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 60:11 K:BB over 37.2 total innings while going 13-for-14 in save chances.

The Orioles optioned Krook to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

He'll head back to Triple-A to reopen a spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Corbin Burnes (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. During his three-day stay with the Orioles, Krook made his lone relief appearance in Sunday's 11-2 loss to the Rangers, giving up three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning.

Speier (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The left-hander was able to throw off a mound Saturday without issue, and he'll continue advancing in his recovery with Tuesday's session. Speier may need to throw only a couple of bullpen sessions before he's deemed ready for a rehab assignment, although further clarity should be gleaned following Tuesday's activity.

Garcia (elbow) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The reliever will throw another bullpen session Wednesday before the next steps in his rehab program are determined. Garcia has missed just two weeks with a nerve issue in his right elbow, so it's possible he'll skip a rehab assignment and return from the 15-day injured list whenever the Blue Jays feel that he's ready. With Jordan Romano (elbow) out indefinitely, Garcia should be back in the mix for saves once he returns, perhaps even as the club's top option. Chad Green has been serving as Toronto's closer since Garcia landed on the IL but hasn't received any save chances during that stretch.

McFarland (1-1) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, allowing three earned runs on a hit, a hit batsman and a walk over one-third of an inning.

McFarland's outing was about as messy as his final line implies, with the left-hander immediately working himself into trouble upon entering in the seventh inning with the game knotted at 1-1. McFarland hit Randal Grichuk to open the frame and subsequently yielded a double to Corbin Carroll and intentionally walked Ketel Marte before exiting. Austin Adams would allow all three inherited runners to score, saddling McFarland with the first runs on his ledger since June 6. Despite the stumble, McFarland was impressive throughout most of June, putting together nine consecutive scoreless appearances (6.1 innings) with three holds prior to Sunday.

Holton struck out the only batter he faced and earned a save over the Angels on Sunday.

Holton entered a 7-6 game after Shelby Miller was hammered for five runs in the ninth inning. Holton halted the comeback attempt and earned his first save since May 25. Jason Foley likely wasn't available after recording four outs Saturday, and the team likely didn't want to rush him out of the bullpen after Miller's ninth-inning collapse. Holton has a 4.04 ERA with a 34:9 K:BB through 42.1 frames.