MLB Player News

Bautista (elbow) threw long-toss Friday in Baltimore, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista has been sidelined since late August due to a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow, but he's been making steady progress and is aiming to return at some point before the end of the regular season. He'll probably have to advance to mound work within the next week to achieve that goal. Yennier Cano is currently positioned as the Orioles' primary closer.

Murphy was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox are swapping out Brandon Walter in favor of Murphy heading into Friday's weekend series in Toronto. The southpaw will provide the bullpen with some length after working at least three innings in three of his last four appearances at Triple-A.

Walter was optioned Friday to Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Walter worked three scoreless innings of relief Thursday against the Yankees and wasn't going to be available for the next few days. Chris Murphy will fill the vacant spot in Boston's bullpen ahead of Friday night's series opener in Toronto.

Pearson was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson will give the Blue Jays' bullpen a much-needed fresh arm after its members were overused as the team got swept by the Rangers. The righty holds a 5.18 ERA and 41:16 K:BB over 40 innings during his time in the majors this season.

Francis was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This is all about adding a fresh arm to the Blue Jays bullpen after Francis pitched the last two days. His performance certainly didn't warrant a demotion, as he's posted a 1.73 ERA in 20 appearances this season.

Young (COVID-19) has been sent to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehab assignment, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Young was one of several Reds players to go on the COVID-19 injured list recently, but he has now been cleared for game action. He shouldn't need a lengthy rehab stint considering he's been out just under a week.

Manaea is slated to pitch during Sunday's game against the Rockies in Colorado.

The Giants could end up deploying Manaea behind an opener, but in any case, he'll pitch the majority of the innings Sunday and appears to have settled into a rotation spot at this point. While picking up a start Tuesday for the first time since May 10, Manaea took a loss to the Guardians but struck out five while allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks. Despite delivering solid returns in the strikeouts, ERA and WHIP categories his last time out, Manaea makes for a risky streaming option Sunday at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Headrick was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The lefty reliever is giving up his roster spot to Bailey Ober, who will make a spot start Friday versus the White Sox. Headrick has struck out 30 over 25.2 frames for the Twins this season but has also posted a 6.31 ERA.

Fairbanks picked up the save Thursday against the Orioles. Striking out three in a perfect ninth inning.

Called upon to preserve a 4-3 lead over division-rival Baltimore, Fairbanks induced three swinging strikeouts on just 12 pitches to shut the door. The 6-foot-6 closer has made seven-straight scoreless appearances, earning six saves while allowing only two hits with an incredible 15:1 K:BB across 6.2 innings during that stretch.

Williams picked up the save Thursday against Miami, pitching a perfect inning while not recording any strikeouts.

Williams needed only 11 pitches to get through the middle of the Marlins' lineup and record his 34th save of the season. The right-hander has now converted each of his last three save attempts and has not allowed any hits, walks or runs in three straight appearances. Thursday's save did mark the first time in his last seven outings that he failed to record at least one strikeout, however.