MLB Player News

Boxberger (forearm) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Boxberger has been sidelined since mid-May with a right forearm strain but is finally ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after making eight rehab appearances, the last four of which were scoreless. He could be eased back into a high-leverage role but eventually should work as a setup man.

Zerpa struck out three over three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the White Sox. He scattered four hits and didn't walk a batter in the 47-pitch outing.

Zerpa shifted back to the bullpen this week after his previous appearance had come in the rotation Aug. 30 versus the Pirates. The 23-year-old southpaw looks like he'll be the next man up if a starting spot opens back up at any point in September. Zerpa has a 6.23 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 26 big-league innings this season.

Johnson struck out two in a perfect seventh inning Thursday to record his 10th hold of the season in a win over the Cardinals.

The former Rockies closer has been very effective in a setup role for Atlanta, posting a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 17 innings with a win and six holds in 18 appearances. The NL East leaders have a deep bullpen, and Johnson would likely be behind A.J. Minter, Kirby Yates and others in the pecking order for saves should anything happen to Raisel Iglesias, but he's still producing deep-league fantasy value in his current role.

The Royals list Snider as their opening pitcher for Friday's game in Toronto.

Friday's game coincides with Alec Marsh's turn in the rotation, so he'll presumably be called upon to work in bulk relief behind Snider, who isn't expected to work more than once through the order given that he hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his 49 appearances in the majors or at Triple-A Omaha this season. Snider has made 10 of those appearances for Kansas City, compiling a 4.22 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB across 10.2 innings.

Clase (2-8) blew a save and took the loss against the Angels on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

Clase entered in the ninth frame to try to protect a 2-1 lead but couldn't get the job done. Los Angeles racked up three straight hits with one out to score the game-tying run, and the contest ended when Randal Grichuk singled home the game-winning score with two outs. Clase had been pitching very well coming into Thursday, converting each of his previous seven save chances and allowing just one run over 10.2 innings during that stretch. He leads the majors in both saves (38) and blown saves (10) on the campaign.

Daniel pitched three scoreless relief innings Thursday in the Angels' 3-2 win over the Guardians, allowing two hits while issuing three walks and striking out one batter.

Despite having not pitched in the high minors this season after spending most of the campaign on the Angels' 60-day injured list while recovering from a shoulder strain, Daniel got the call to the big club Thursday after he posted a 1.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB across 20.1 innings over his final four rehab starts with Single-A Inland Empire. The right-hander was a bit wild with three walks and a wild pitch in his major-league debut, but he worked out of a few jams to hold the Guardians scoreless while throwing a team-high 66 pitches in a bullpen game for Los Angeles. It's unclear if Daniel will remain in a bulk-relief role moving forward, and it's possible that he heads back to the minors whenever Chase Silseth (concussion) is able to return from the 7-day injured list.

Sewald retired the only batter he faced to register a save against the Cubs on Thursday.

Arizona led 6-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth frame, so it didn't look like Sewald would be needed. However, the Cubs scored a run on three hits to put the potential tying run in the on-deck circle with two outs, resulting in the closer getting the call. Sewald got Seiya Suzuki to ground out to end the contest and walk away with a save without needing to work up much of a sweat. It was Sewald's third save in September and his 31st overall this season.

Pepiot (2-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing one hit over seven scoreless innings against Miami. He struck out three without issuing any walks.

The 26-year-old was perfect through 6.2 innings before Josh Bell grounded a single up the middle. Pepiot tallied only three strikeouts for the second consecutive outing, but he was extremely efficient, needing just 84 pitches (60 strikes) to complete seven frames for the first time in his young career. After posting a 6.7 BB/9 in his first stint in the big-leagues last year, Pepiot has issued just two walks in 21 innings this season with a sterling 0.86 ERA and minuscule 0.52 WHIP. The rookie is currently scheduled for a home matchup against the Padres early next week.

Munoz picked up the save Thursday against Tampa Bay. He hit a batter and issued a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The 24-year-old closer worked around a hit-by-pitch and a walk to shut the door on Seattle's 1-0 victory, getting back on track after allowing a run in each of his previous three appearances. Munoz has now converted 10 of his first 12 save chances since taking over as the primary closer at the trade deadline. The hard-throwing righty owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and an impressive 12.7 K/9 across 41.2 innings on the campaign.

Littell (3-5) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over eight innings against the Mariners. He struck out four.

Littell turned in the longest outing of his career Thursday, holding Seattle to just one run and retiring 19 of the final 20 batters he faced. However, the 27-year-old right-hander was saddled with an unlucky loss on account of Tampa Bay's failure to provide any run support. In eight starts since joining the Rays' rotation as a full starter, Littell has a 3-3 record with 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 30:4 K:BB across 46.2 innings. His next start is tentatively scheduled for early next week against a Minnesota offense that leads MLB in strikeouts versus right-handed pitching.