MLB Player News

Davidson is listed as the Royals' probable starting pitcher Monday in Oakland and is expected to work as an opener in front of bulk reliever Alec Marsh.

The Royals haven't clarified their pitching plans for the series opener, but Monday is Marsh's turn in the rotation and he worked behind an opening pitcher in his last outing Wednesday, so it stands to reason that the club will go that route again. Davidson made 11 starts between stops with Atlanta and Anaheim in 2022, but he's pitched exclusively in relief over 24 appearances with the Angels and Royals in 2023. Davidson hasn't covered more than four innings in any of those appearances and hasn't worked more than two innings since the beginning of June, so he's unlikely to stay in the game for more than once through the Athletics' batting order before giving way to Marsh.

White (elbow) was reinstated from Triple-A Durham's 7-day injured list Aug. 6 and assigned to High-A Bowling Green, with whom he's produced a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 4:2 K:BB across five innings over five appearances.

White, who opened the season on the shelf while recovering from April 2022 Tommy John surgery, was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 6. He was pulled off the assignment less than a week later before returning to FCL action in early July and remaining with the rookie-level affiliate for the month prior to his activation. The right-handed reliever had advanced to Triple-A late in the 2021 season before undergoing elbow surgery, but he looks like he'll need to prove he's regained his command and velocity at High-A before he gets another shot with Durham.

Munoz recorded his 13th hold in a win over the Astros on Sunday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

The right-hander had notched a save while working around two hits in Friday's series opener, an outing that snapped a three-appearance streak with at least one run allowed for Munoz. He followed it up Sunday with his first clean outing since Aug. 3, which netted his first hold of August. Despite the occasional stumble, Munoz remains an elite source of strikeouts (11.8 K/9) and has done an excellent job keeping the ball in the park, having only allowed one home run across 34.1 innings over 35 appearances.

Triple-A Durham placed Faucher on its 7-day injured list Tuesday with an unspecified injury.

Faucher has been a frequent mover between the Rays and Triple-A Durham in 2023, tossing 25.2 innings for the big club and 8.2 innings for the organization's top affiliate. Following his demotion to Durham on July 30, Faucher made just two relief appearances before hitting the shelf. The Rays haven't shed light on whether Faucher's injury is serious enough to end his season.

Brash (9-4) got the win against the Astros on Sunday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts.

The Mariners bullpen as a whole was called on for extended duty Sunday after starter Emerson Hancock was forced from the game following two innings due to a shoulder strain. The urgency was compounded when Tayler Saucedo, who relieved Hancock, failed to retire a batter while giving up five runs, but Brash was one of multiple relievers to pick up the slack. He got his four outs on a relatively efficient 23 pitches while posting his second straight scoreless appearance after allowing runs in back-to-back appearances against the Royals last Monday and on Wednesday. Brash had recorded saves in each of his two most recent outings, so he continues to be one of the more versatile bullpen options for manager Scott Servais and an increasingly valuable fantasy asset as a result.

The Rays optioned Criswell to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

Criswell served as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels, allowing three runs over two innings out of the bullpen in the second game of the twin bill. He holds a 5.40 ERA across 30 frames during his time with the big club this season.

The Astros optioned Mushinski to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

Mushinski had pitched the last two days for the Astros, allowing three runs on five hits over just 1.1 innings. A corresponding move will be announced prior to Houston's series opener Monday versus the Red Sox.

Pivetta allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out eight over five innings in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Yankees.

Pivetta was the bulk pitcher Sunday, entering after Josh Winckowski threw a scoreless inning to open for Boston. Pivetta, a one-time starter, has shined since moving to the bullpen, while pitching in a variety of roles that included being used as a spot starter. He's often worked more innings than a traditional long reliever, as the Red Sox navigated a stretch with fewer than five healthy starters. With Tanner Houck (face) due back Tuesday, Pivetta can return to a more traditional relief role, as Boston sets its sight on a wild card playoff spot.

Jansen allowed one hit, hit a batter and struck out two to record the save in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Yankees.

Jansen allowed a leadoff double then hit a batter to make it interesting. The seasoned right-hander, however, didn't panic. He struck out Aaron Judge on three pitches, Gleyber Torres on four, then induced a flyout to lock down Boston's sweep of New York in Yankee Stadium. Jansen has converted 20 consecutive save opportunities.

Smith allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 6-2 loss to Milwaukee.

The Rangers expended several relievers in Friday's loss, when Andrew Heaney lasted 3.2 innings, then needed the bullpen again Sunday with Max Scherzer chased after 3.2 innings. In between, Dane Dunning went just five innings Saturday. All that bullpen usage added up to manager Bruce Bochy using his closer, Smith, in the eighth inning of 3-1 game. Unfortunately for the Rangers, who were swept by the Brew Crew, he could not survive a couple of infield hits and a throwing error. Smith has been reliable for the Rangers, but he's had a rough stretch of late. The 34-year-old reliever has given up runs in five of the last nine outings, posting a 9.39 ERA during that stretch. It hasn't hurt the Rangers much, as Smith converted five saves in six chances.