MLB Player News

The Rangers added Burke to their World Series roster Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

With Max Scherzer shut down for the rest of the Fall Classic due to back spasms, Burke will replace Scherzer on Texas' roster and provide additional bullpen depth to close out the series. The 27-year-old southpaw put up a 4.37 ERA and 1.22 WHIP through 59.2 frames during the regular season and will likely be limited to middle relief.

Sborz (hamstring) said he'll be available out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Sborz experienced some hamstring cramps while pitching a scoreless seventh inning in the Rangers' Game 3 win on Monday, but he showed up back at Chase Field in Arizona on Tuesday with no lingering discomfort. The 29-year-old right-hander has allowed just one run through 9.2 innings of work in the 2023 postseason.

Seattle outrighted Oller to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Oller passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from the Mariners' 40-man roster. The 29-year-old right-hander holds a rough 7.09 ERA and 59:51 K:BB in 94 career major-league innings.

Oakland outrighted Snead to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Snead, 29, gave up seven runs -- six earned -- on 14 hits and six walks over 11.2 major-league innings this season and also held an ugly 7.59 ERA in 23 appearances at Triple-A. He is now off the Athletics' 40-man roster.

Nittoli signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Friday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of The Comeback reports.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training, where Nittoli will compete for a spot in Oakland's Opening Day bullpen. Nittoli posted a 4.64 ERA in 42.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season, along with allowing one run over 3.2 frames during a brief stint with the Mets.

Houston claimed Ortega (back) off waivers from the Twins on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Ortega will remain on the 60-day injured list for now as he recovers from the left lumbar strain that he suffered in late August. The 27-year-old reliever owns a career 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 51:27 K:BB in 58 total innings of work at the major-league level.

Davidson was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Wednesday.

It would appear the Royals didn't plan to tender Davidson a contract and instead tried to outright him, but the Orioles have scooped him up. The left-hander made 38 appearances (one start) between the Angels and Royals in 2023, collecting a 5.96 ERA and 46:19 K:BB over 51.1 innings. Davidson has plenty of past starting experience, but it's not clear at this point what role Baltimore has envisioned for him.

Oakland claimed Kay off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday.

Kay was pushed off the Mets' 40-man roster last week after struggling to a 6.14 ERA and 11:9 K:BB over 14.2 major-league innings in 2023. The 28-year-old left-hander will look to earn a spot in the Athletics' bullpen next spring.

MLB announced Monday that Abreu's two-game suspension for throwing at the Rangers' Adolis Garcia in last Friday's Game 5 of the ALCS was upheld following an appeal, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. Abreu will serve the suspension for the first two games of the 2024 regular season.

The ruling comes as good news for the Astros, as Abreu won't have to miss Monday's Game 7 and will remain eligible to pitch should Houston earn its way to the World Series. Abreu has been the top setup option in front of closer Ryan Pressly in 2023, finishing the regular season with 24 holds and five saves to go with a 1.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 100:31 K:BB across 72 innings.

Abreu (suspension) is appealing his two-game suspension, and he's eligible to pitch in Sunday's contest with the Rangers.

Abreu will have his appeal hearing Monday, so he will technically be available to pitch if needed in Game 6 of the ALCS. The right-hander was suspended for two games after he hit Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia in Game 5.