MLB Player News
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Justin Sterner RP | ATH
Athletics' Justin Sterner: Strikes out side
Sterner struck out the side in a perfect inning during Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Tigers.
Sterner retired the side on strikeouts in the eighth inning Wednesday, the first time this season he's done so in order. The right-hander has been sharp in August, posting a 1.98 ERA and 0.59 WHIP across 13.2 innings in 11 appearances.
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Steven Cruz RP | KC
Royals' Steven Cruz: Completes shortened bullpen session
Cruz (shoulder) threw a light bullpen Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Cruz took a step forward in his rehab for right shoulder tendinitis, throwing a short bullpen session of 15 to 20 pitches. The right-hander had previously been limited to flat-ground work from about 75 feet, so this progression is encouraging. While the Royals haven't provided a firm timeline, a late-season return remains on the table.
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Hunter Harvey RP | CHC
Royals' Hunter Harvey: Throws light bullpen
Harvey (groin) completed a light bullpen session Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Harvey took another step forward in his recovery from the Grade 2 right adductor strain that has sidelined him since Aug. 11. He threw a short bullpen session of about 15 to 20 pitches, and while it wasn't a full workload, simply getting back on the mound is an encouraging sign in the right-hander's quest to return before season's end. Harvey's 2025 season has been marred by injuries, but he's delivered when available by tossing 12 scoreless appearances.
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Luis Guerrero RP | BOS
Red Sox's Luis Guerrero: Initiates rehab assignment
Guerrero (elbow) began a rehab assignment with High-A Greenville on Tuesday and worked around three walks and one hit in a scoreless inning in his first appearance.
The one-inning outing marked Guerrero's first appearance at any level since June 27, as he's been on the shelf for two months while recovering from a right elbow strain. Guerrero is expected to eventually shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Worcester, and once he gets a few more minor-league appearances under his belt, he could re-emerge as an option for Boston's bullpen.
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Jovani Moran RP | BOS
Red Sox's Jovani Moran: Sent back to Triple-A
The Red Sox optioned Moran to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Moran will head back to Worcester as the Red Sox open up a spot in the bullpen for Justin Slaten (shoulder), who was reinstated from the injured list. After being recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, Moran didn't make any relief appearances during his two-day stint with the big club.
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Back from 60-day IL
The Red Sox activated Slaten (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Slaten is finally ready to rejoin the Boston bullpen after missing the past three months with right shoulder inflammation. The 27-year-old should eventually return to a setup role for the Red Sox, but he'll likely be eased into such situations following a long layoff.
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Rafael Montero RP | DET
Tigers' Rafael Montero: Effective in longest 2025 outing
Montero tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Athletics. He walked one batter and struck out four.
After starter Casey Mize was tagged for five runs in just 3.1 innings, Montero came on and gave the Tigers some valuable long relief. It was the veteran righty's longest outing of the season, and he's now covered two or more innings four times this year. Montero has been fairly effective in Detroit since coming over before the trade deadline, posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 10.1 innings with his new team.
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Activation expected Thursday
Slaten (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of Thursday's series finale in Baltimore, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Slaten hasn't pitched in the majors since late May, when he was placed on the injured list with what was initially described as right shoulder inflammation. He later learned that his transverse process was pressing against nerves, causing soreness. Slaten looks to be healthy again after tossing three scoreless innings across three rehab appearances at Triple-A Worcester, and he could eventually move back into a setup role for Boston. Slaten posted a 3.47 ERA with four holds, three saves and a .171 batting average against in 24 appearances for Boston prior to landing on the shelf.
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Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Solid as starter
Latz didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Los Angeles, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 4.1 innings.
The Rangers selected Latz to fill Nathan Eovaldi's (shoulder) spot in the rotation, and Latz fared well in the position. He threw just 66 pitches, up from the 43 pitches he threw in his previous appearance, and managed to pitch into the fifth frame. In four starts this season, Latz has a 3.38 ERA and a 19:8 K:BB across 18.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start against the Diamondbacks early next week and could continue building up his workload.
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Jeff Hoffman RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Rebounds for 29th save
Hoffman earned the save in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Twins, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
The Twins threatened in the ninth inning when Luke Keaschall doubled with two outs. However, Hoffman coaxed a groundout off the bat of Brooks Lee to preserve the one-run victory, picking up his 29th save this year. It was a much-needed bounce-back effort from the right-hander -- Hoffman had blown his previous two save opportunities and gave up four runs on a pair of homers in his last appearance Tuesday. Overall, the 32-year-old Hoffman sports a 4.69 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 75:19 K:BB across 55.2 innings this season.