MLB Player News

Littell (2-3) took the loss against St. Louis on Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Littell held the Cardinals scoreless through three frames before serving up a two-run homer to Andrew Knizner in the fourth. St. Louis tacked on another run against the right-hander in the sixth, which was enough to send him to his third loss. Despite the defeat, Littell continues to look good in his new role as a traditional starter, tossing his second straight quality start. In three games since moving into the rotation, he's posted a 2.65 ERA and 10:1 K:BB over 17 innings.

Coleman will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Coleman will be making his first career major-league start Friday, though he will likely only remain in the game for an inning or two before handing things over to Angel Zerpa, who will pitch bulk innings. Coleman hasn't performed very well in the majors this season, accumulating a 10.05 ERA and 2.09 WHIP through 14.1 frames.

The Dodgers optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

With the return of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Gonzalez will be sent back to the minors to free up a roster spot. The 27-year-old lefty has been effective out of the bullpen for Oklahoma City with a 2.60 ERA through 17.1 frames, and he could return to Los Angeles if the Dodgers need a fresh arm down the line.

Brieske fired two perfect innings to pick up the save Thursday against the Twins.

Brieske was called upon in the eighth inning to preserve a 3-0 lead and delivered two perfect innings to secure the save. With two of the team's last three saves, the 25-year-old has added another layer of complexity to Detroit's bullpen hierarchy.

Castillo was outrighted Thursday to Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castillo passed through waivers unclaimed after getting pushed off the Marlins' 40-man roster. Acquired from the Padres last month in exchange for cash considerations, the 27-year-old lefty reliever has made only three appearances in the majors since the end of his promising 2018 season in San Diego.

Rainey (elbow) is set to throw to live hitters Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rainey is in the final stages of returning from Tommy John surgery. He made a rehab appearance in the Florida Complex League on Monday, where he pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Now set to throw to live hitters at Nationals Park, the 30-year-old will throw 35-to-40 pitches. Given that he has only begun facing live hitters, a return to the big-league bullpen is not imminent, but he could be back in a couple weeks if he avoids setbacks.

Harvey (elbow) is set to throw to live hitters Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals have been without their go-to ninth inning reliever for close to a month. Harvey was sent to the 15-day injured list on July 17 with a right elbow strain. When he faces live hitting Friday, he will pitch for three outs or between 20-to-25 pitches as he nears a return.

Alvarado's (elbow/hand) live batting practice got rained out Thursday, so he will face hitters Friday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Alvarado has been dealing the cramping in both of his hands but had already delayed his rehab start earlier in the week. That was for precautionary concerns while Thursday's delay comes due to weather. According to manager Rob Thomson, Alvarado could begin his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Brash (8-3) got the win over the Padres on Wednesday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

Brash wrapped up his one frame on a scant 10 pitches, and he was rewarded for preserving the 1-1 tie when Seattle broke out for a five-run tally in the home half of the eighth. The right-hander has already benefited fantasy managers throughout the season with a robust amount of holds and elite strikeout numbers, but he's now logged three winning decisions and converted one save chance since Paul Sewald was traded to the Diamondbacks on July 31.

Moore earned a hold against the Giants on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out one batter in a hitless and scoreless inning.

Moore worked as the eighth-inning bridge to closer Carlos Estevez, and he navigated around a one-out walk to keep San Francisco off the scoreboard. The lefty reliever missed nearly eight weeks of action between mid-May and mid-July due to an oblique injury, but, remarkably, he still leads the Angels -- and is tied for ninth in the AL -- with 17 holds. Moore's outstanding stat line includes a 1.70 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB over 37 innings.