MLB Player News

The Astros recalled Sousa from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.

Sousa won't be available for Tuesday's game against Seattle, but he's in line to join Houston's bullpen to replace Rafael Montero, who was traded to Atlanta. Sousa missed all of last season due to thoracic outlet surgery but has looked good in four Triple-A outings this season, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five batters across five shutout frames.

The Astros traded Montero and cash to Atlanta on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later.

Montero has made three appearances out of the bullpen so far this season, giving up two earned runs while striking out five batters across four innings. Now in Atlanta, the 34-year-old reliever will likely remain in the major-league bullpen, but he isn't expected to see many high-leverage opportunities.

Hendriks (elbow) will likely begin a rehab assignment during the weekend, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hendriks began throwing bullpen sessions last weekend and will presumably progress to facing hitters during the week. If he's able to get through that without any issues, the Red Sox will send him out to one of their minor-league affiliates for a few rehab outings and could have him back in their bullpen before the end of the month.

The Astros recalled Contreras from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Just 24 hours after being optioned to Triple-A, Contreras will return to Houston to act as the roster replacement for Spencer Arrighetti, who was sent to the IL on Tuesday with a broken thumb. Contreras has given up 11 earned runs in just 11.1 career regular-season innings in the majors, so he'll almost certainly be limited to low-leverage situations for now.

The Brewers placed Thomas on 15-day injured list Tuesday due to left elbow arthritis.

The Rule 5 pickup earned a spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster, but he struggled over his two relief appearances so far this season, allowing 12 earned runs over 5.1 innings. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Nick Mears (illness), who was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.

The Brewers reinstated Mears (illness) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Mears missed a significant amount of time during spring training due to an illness, and he began the season on the injured list in order to regain his strength. After throwing 3.2 scoreless innings during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Nashville, the 28-year-old righty is now ready to rejoin the Brewers' bullpen. He'll replace Connor Thomas (elbow), who landed on the injured list Tuesday.

The Rangers optioned Garabito to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Garabito threw a season-high 51 pitches across 3.1 innings of long relief in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Cubs, so the Rangers need a fresh arm and selected the contract of Caleb Boushley. Garabito holds a 9.00 ERA and 8:1 K:BB across eight innings of work across three games for Texas this season.

The Rangers selected Boushley's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Boushley appeared in two regular-season games out of the bullpen for the Twins last season, logging a 4.50 ERA and 1:2 K:BB across four innings of work. He's worked almost exclusively as a starter in the minors and figures to be available in long relief for Texas.

The Red Sox recalled Winckowski from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Winckowski will provide the bullpen with some length. The 26-year-old posted a 4.14 ERA and 60:26 K:BB over 76 innings covering six starts and 34 relief appearances with Boston last season.

Doval (1-1) was charged with the loss Monday, allowing two earned runs on no hits and a walk across one-third of an inning during San Francisco's 2-0 loss to the Reds. He also hit one batter.

Doval walked the first batter he faced before hitting the second. Both runners came around to score after the right-handed reliever was pulled. The 27-year-old faced three hitters Monday, throwing only three strikes across 11 pitches. Doval has given up all three of his earned runs in the Giants' last two games, logging a 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 2:3 K:BB over 5.1 frames in six appearances.