MLB Player News

Stephan (6-7) allowed four runs (three earned) on three walks and a hit-by-pitch over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Royals.

Stephan couldn't find the strike zone, with just 12 of his 31 pitches landing for strikes in the wild outing. His poor showing allowed the Royals to rally in the eighth inning, though Enyel De Los Santos was tagged with the blown save after being unable to get the situation under control. Stephan has taken three losses while adding four holds over seven appearances in September, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) over 6.1 innings. He's at a 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 70:25 K:BB through 64.2 innings with two saves and 28 holds overall.

Abreu wasn't available to pitch during Monday's game against Baltimore after being struck by a line drive in the right forearm during Houston's weekend series with Kansas City, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dusty Baker noted that Abreu was sent for X-rays earlier in the day and the results came back negative. The team is hopeful the right-hander will be ready to pitch Tuesday, per Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston.

Crochet (shoulder) is close to being activated from the injured list, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Per the report Crochet will throw a bullpen session at some point during Chicago's three-game series against Washington that begins Monday, and if all goes well he will likely rejoin the roster shortly after that.

McArthur picked up the save in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Guardians. He pitched a clean inning and struck out one.

After picking up his first career win Saturday, McArthur added a save to his ledger Monday. With both Taylor Clarke and Carlos Hernandez being unavailable due to throwing in two of the three previous days, McArthur was summoned for the save Monday after the Royals mounted a comeback in the eighth inning. McArthur has allowed just one hit with zero walks and eight strikeouts in 9.2 scoreless innings this month.

Cruz will work as the Royals' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Cruz tossed two scoreless innings while opening against White Sox last week, and he'll get another chance to work in that role Tuesday. Since being tagged for four earned runs in his Aug. 29 big-league debut, Cruz hasn't allowed a run and has posted a 0.63 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 6.1 innings. Alec Marsh is the most likely candidate to work in bulk relief behind Cruz on Tuesday.

Stanek (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Stanek landed on the injured list earlier this month with a sprained ankle, but he has made good progress since and is ready to resuming pitching in games. If all goes well Tuesday, he could be activated Wednesday when first eligible, or shortly thereafter.

Sborz (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Sborz faced off against two of the Rangers' rehabbing hitters, Josh Jung (thumb) and Adolis Garcia (knee). The Rangers could look to send out Sborz on a brief minor-league rehab assignment before bringing him back from the 15-day injured list, though the organization has yet to announce its plans for the right-handed reliever. Before hitting the IL on Sept. 5, Sborz had compiled a 5.80 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 49.2 innings out of the bullpen this season.

Ort (elbow) began a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Worcester, striking out one batter over a perfect inning of relief.

Ort has resided on the injured list since July 7 with right elbow inflammation, but he looks like he'll have a chance to rejoin the Boston bullpen before the regular season comes to a close. Prior to being shut down with the injury, Ort posted a 6.26 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 23 innings. If reinstated, Ort will likely be relegated to low-leverage work out of the bullpen.

Beeks was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Beeks was excellent for the Rays in 2022 but has gone back and forth between the majors and minors in 2023 while posting a 6.25 ERA with the big club. The left-hander will give Tampa Bay another bullpen arm who can cover multiple innings, though he's unlikely to see much usage in high-leverage spots.

Devenski was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Devenski holds a 4.15 ERA in six relief appearances since joining the Rays earlier this month. He's being moved off the 28-man active roster in favor of Jalen Beeks, who was called up from Durham to give the Rays another left-handed option out of the bullpen.