MLB Player News

Sterner will see a knee specialist at Stanford this week, per MLB.com.

Sterner, who landed on the injured list July 18 due to right knee chondromalacia, recently felt increased soreness when throwing, prompting a visit with a specialist. A more formal timeline for his return should emerge following the right-hander's appointment. Prior to hitting the shelf, Sterner posted a 6.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB across 42.2 innings of relief work.

Quantrill is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, Matt Postins of SI.com reports.

The Rangers will go with Quantrill over Jordan Montgomery as the replacement in the rotation for Nathan Eovaldi (elbow), who was placed on the injured list Monday. Quantrill most recently made a one-inning relief appearance Saturday against the Orioles, but the right-hander had started or served as a bulk reliever in each of his prior eight appearances, going 1-4 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB in 35.1 innings during that stretch.

The Red Sox recalled Gamboa from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Gamboa has been up and down between Worcester and Boston several times this season and has pitched well with the big club, logging a 2.08 ERA and 12:5 K:BB across 13 frames. He'll join the bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Seth Martinez, who was designated for assignment.

The Red Sox designated Martinez for assignment Wednesday.

Martinez made only one appearance during his brief time with the Red Sox, allowing one run over one inning of relief in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. He's being replaced on the active roster by Alec Gamboa, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester to give the Red Sox a fresh arm in the bullpen.

The Angels signed Fulmer to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Fulmer had been with Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants organization, where he held a 2.98 ERA and 52:21 K:BB over 42.1 innings. The veteran reliever could get an opportunity in the patchwork Angels bullpen down the stretch.

Anderson didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Guardians, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander pitched well and tossed a season-high 70 pitches (44 for strikes), but Anderson continues to face workload restrictions as a member of the rotation. Over two starts since having his role changed last week, he's worked just 7.2 innings but has given up only one run with a 4:3 K:BB. Jack Flaherty (forearm) remains in his throwing progression and has no target date for his return, while Justin Verlander (hamstring) has yet to throw off a mound and River Ryan (hamstring) is still on the IL at Triple-A, so Anderson will continue patching the hole in the Tigers' rotation for the foreseeable future. He's set to make his next start at home this weekend against the White Sox, and he might get enough leeway to qualify for a win.

Texas manager Skip Schumaker mentioned Quantrill as a potential replacement in the rotation for the injured Nathan Eovaldi (elbow), Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Schumaker also noted that Jordan Montgomery is in the mix to take Eovaldi's spot in the rotation, which comes up Wednesday against the Angels. Quantrill has made seven starts for the Rangers this season, most recently throwing six innings against the Giants on Aug. 3. During his time as a starter, Quantrill has posted a 3.34 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 32.1 innings.

Barnett (1-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Rays, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks while failing to record a strikeout over four innings.

Barnett surrendered a two-run homer to Junior Caminero in the first inning before running into more trouble in the fourth, when Taylor Walls and Yandy Diaz launched back-to-back bombs. The right-hander recorded just one whiff on 67 pitches as he failed to punch out a single hitter. He has now allowed three home runs in consecutive outings and has surrendered 14 runs (13 earned) across 13.1 innings while working as a traditional starter over his last three appearances. Barnett owns a 6.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 35:18 K:BB across 36 innings this season. He may need to show out in his next scheduled outing against a weak Kansas City offense if he wants to make a case to remain in the rotation.

King will serve as the Astros' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

King owns a 3.83 ERA through 49.1 innings this season but has given up 12 earned runs in just his last 9.1 frames. Despite his recent poor form, the Astros will give him his first MLB start. Tatsuya Imai or Ronel Blanco is expected to pitch in bulk relief once King exits, likely after covering the first inning or two.

Natera recorded the save Sunday against the Rangers, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Natera was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and struck out each of the first two batters he faced before inducing a lineout from Justin Foscue to secure his third save. The left-hander has been dominant of late, allowing just one run across his last 15.2 innings while posting an outstanding 27:3 K:BB during that stretch. In 23 appearances since his June 5 call-up, Natera owns a 2.00 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB across 27 innings.