MLB Player News

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.

Slaten threw a bullpen session prior to Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Slaten began a rehab assignment Friday for Double-A Portland, in which he exhibited shaky command, and Sunday's session was to address those issues. Boston manager Alex Cora told MLB.com that Slaten will most likely be with the Red Sox "in the upcoming days." That could mean at least one more rehab appearance for the right-hander.

Munoz picked up the save Sunday, walking two and striking out two during a scoreless ninth inning against the Giants.

Munoz finished off the Giants for his 19th save of the season, though it was his first save in four weeks. It was not a perfect outing for Munoz, who struggled with his command, tossing just 10 of 21 pitches for strikes while walking two. However, he also struck out two, including Mark Canha with a runner on third to end the game. Munoz has allowed four earned runs and nine total baserunners over his last four appearances but still maintains a dominant 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 63 strikeouts over 50 innings this season.

McArthur has not allowed a run over his last seven appearances, allowing just five hits while striking out eight and walking none across 6.2 innings in that span.

McArthur surrendered 11 runs (nine earned) over 5.2 innings through his first six outings following the All-Star break, converting just one of three save chances in that span. He hasn't had the opportunity to close since, with Lucas Erceg moving into the closer role since he was acquired from the Athletics via trade. McArthur has just one hold since he lost the closer job, and he's more frequently been deployed in the seventh and eighth innings in recent weeks. McArthur has a 4.62 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB over 50.2 innings while going 18-for-24 in save chances this year, and he'll likely be a second or third option for closing duties when Erceg is unavailable.

Miller struck out one while tossing 1.1 perfect innings to pick up the save Sunday against the Brewers.

Miller collected four outs to pick up his fourth multi-inning save of the season. Miller has not been scored upon in 17 of his last 18 outings since June 14, tossing 20 innings with a 0.90 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 27 strikeouts and nine saves over that stretch.

Topa (knee) has resumed playing catch, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Topa missed the first four months of the season due to a tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee. He began a rehab assignment July 23 but was shut down Aug. 10 due to right elbow inflammation. Topa remains optimistic that he can return this season, but he still likely has several weeks of building up his throwing before he could start a rehab assignment.

Funderburk (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Funderburk went on the 15-day injured list July 21. He's still likely a week or two away before he could start a rehab assignment, so it's not clear if he'll be able to return before the end of the regular season.