MLB Player News

Bradford will start Sunday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The left-hander allowed two runs over five frames in bulk relief Tuesday and will work as a traditional starter for Sunday's series finale in San Diego, with Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) missing a second straight turn through the rotation. Even with Eovaldi's availability up in the air for the near future, it'll likely just be a spot start for Bradford since the Rangers acquired Max Scherzer from the Mets on Saturday.

Pivetta could pitch behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Sunday's game against the Giants, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta delivered five scoreless frames of bulk relief Tuesday against Atlanta, lining him up to potentially take the mound for Sunday's series finale in San Francisco. Boston's full pitching plans haven't been confirmed, but the right-hander has been excellent out of the bullpen this season with a 1.98 ERA over 41 innings and is a decent bet to take the mound after Bernardino.

Bernardino will start Sunday's game against the Giants, Ian Browne of MLB.comreports.

Sunday's contest will feature a pair of openers, with Bernardino pitching for the Red Sox and Scott Alexander for the Giants. Bernardino has started four games this season but hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance, so he should cover only an inning or two before giving way to Boston's likely bulk reliever, Nick Pivetta.

Alexander will start Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The left-hander has opened two games for the Giants this season and will do so for the third time Sunday versus the Red Sox. Alexander has given up just two earned runs across his past 18 outings and has a 3.41 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 29 innings this season. Ross Stripling has struggled as a traditional starter and could handle the bulk role behind Alexander to close out the series against Boston.

Littell will start Sunday's game against the Astros, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched since he delivered two scoreless innings last Sunday against Baltimore, and he'll start Tampa Bay's bullpen day in Houston a week later. Littell has covered at least two frames in each of his past four outings, but he shouldn't be expected to last more than once through the order Sunday.

Jansen (2-5) took the loss Saturday against the Giants. He allowed a solo home run and failed to record an out.

After the Red Sox scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game, Jansen took the mound with the opportunity to force extra innings. However, he would only throw one pitch, as J.D. Davis took him yard for a walk-off home run and handed Jansen his fifth loss of 2023. The outing broke a streak of seven consecutive scoreless appearances (5.2 innings) for Jansen and marked just his third home run given up on the season.

Manaea allowed two hits while striking out five over 4.2 scoreless innings in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Boston.

Manaea took over for opener Ryan Walker midway through the third inning and ended up blanking the Red Sox in 4.2 frames. The outing was a much-needed rebound effort for Manaea, who had allowed nine runs over his last three outings (10.2 innings). Through 70.2 innings this season, Manaea owns a 5.48 ERA and an 85:27 K:BB while primarily acting as a reliever.

The Dodgers designated Bickford for assignment Saturday.

The 28-year-old will lose his place on Los Angeles' 26-man and 40-man rosters in order to clear space for trade-acquisition Joe Kelly. Bickford had a 2.81 ERA during the 2021 campaign but has struggled over the past two seasons with a 4.89 ERA in 96 appearances. However, he's given up just two earned runs over his past 13 outings and could generate some interest on the waiver wire.

The Rockies optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

In order to make room for Chris Flexen, who was recalled to start Saturday's game, Hollowell will head back to the minors. The 25-year-old righty holds a 6.46 ERA through 15.1 innings in the majors, but that number comes down to 3.21 in Triple-A.

Loaisiga (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa on Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Loaisiga underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow in May and will likely make several appearances in the minors before returning to the Yankees' bullpen. The 28-year-old made only three appearances before landing on the IL, surrendering one run across 3.1 innings.