MLB Player News

The Orioles optioned Reed to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

With Baltimore needing relievers to cover 12.2 innings over the first two games of its series in Boston, the club will bring aboard a pair of fresh arms for the bullpen in Keegan Akin and Beau Sulser while sending out Reed and Joey Krehbiel. Reed failed to retire a batter in Tuesday's 13-9 loss while getting charged with four runs (two earned) on two hits and a hit batsman.

Oller (ribs) has a chance to return from the injured list by Friday, the Associated Press reports.

The right-hander faced live hitters Monday at the A's complex in Arizona without any apparent setbacks. Oller has been on the injured list since Sept. 6, but with the minor-league season coming to an end as well, the team may opt to simply have Oller return without any rehab outings.

Puk (3-3) took the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, allowing an earned run on one hit and a hit batsman over one inning. He struck out one.

Puk's outing got started off in positive fashion when he struck out Mike Ford with Taylor Ward on second base to finish out the seventh inning, but he worked himself into trouble in the eighth and failed to preserve a 3-3 tie in the process. The left-hander generated a pair of scoreless efforts to open September but has had a tough time since, pitching to an 0-2 record, 9.39 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 3.5 HR/9 across the 7.2 innings covering his subsequent seven appearances.

Castro (shoulder) struck out three and issued a walk in a scoreless inning during his relief appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Castro's outing Tuesday was the sixth of his rehab assignment, which has included stops at both the Triple-A level and Double-A Somerset. While covering 4.2 innings, Castro has struck out seven while allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks. The right-hander, who has been on the shelf since shortly before the All-Star break with a right shoulder strain, looks like he'll have a good chance to return from the 60-day injured list prior to the end of the regular season.

Montes de Oca (hamstring) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Sept. 20 and has struck out five while allowing three hits and two walks across 2.2 scoreless innings between his two appearances.

De Oca hasn't pitched for Syracuse in five days and looks be recovered from his left hamstring injury, but the Mets may not have a spot available in the bullpen for him at the moment. The rookie right-hander was previously lit up for four earned runs on seven hits and two walks over 3.1 innings with the Mets before landing on the IL earlier this month.

Floro struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his eighth save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Mets.

The right-hander did his best Edwin Diaz impression as he converted his third straight save chance and fifth in six September opportunities. Floro has a 0.82 ERA, 0.36 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB through 11 innings on the month, and while he doesn't have premium stuff, when healthy he's been the Marlins' most effective reliever over the last two years.

Trivino gave up a hit and struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The Yankees' closer picture remains a jumbled mess, as no New York reliever has picked up consecutive saves for the team since Clay Holmes did it Sept. 4-5. Trivino's last save came July 26, when he was still with Oakland, and he may not be a significant part of the ninth-inning picture for his new club over the final handful of regular-season games. Since joining the Yankees, Trivino boasts a 1.74 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 20.2 innings with a win and two holds over 24 appearances.

Kimbrel dropped to 6-7 on the season after he walked three of the five batters he faced while allowing an unearned run Tuesday in the Dodgers' 4-3 loss to the Padres in 10 innings.

After manager Dave Roberts officially removed him from the closer's role last weekend, Kimbrel turned in a clean inning in his first appearance following the demotion, but he took a big step backward Tuesday. Upon taking the mound in the top of the 10th with a runner on second base, Kimbrel proceeded to retire Ha-Seong Kim on a sacrifice bunt and struck out Manny Machado, but he loaded the bases with a pair of walks, one of which was intentional. Kimbrel then faced Jorge Alfaro, who was able to lay off a four-seam fastball just outside the zone with a 3-2 count to draw a walkoff free pass. In light of yet another poor showing in a high-leverage spot, Kimbrel looks to be further away from returning to closing duties, and he could even find himself at risk of missing out on a spot on the Dodgers' postseason roster.

Baumann is scheduled to start Thursday's game in Boston.

He'll be getting his second straight turn through the rotation after working four innings and allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks in a no-decision versus Houston last weekend. The 27-year-old righty owns a 4.32 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 25 innings at the big-league level this season.

Bracho's contract was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Bracho was traded from Boston to Atlanta in late June, and he's posted a 2.08 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 26 innings over 20 appearances (four starts) at Gwinnett. He had a brief stint in Atlanta's bullpen in early July and will rejoin the active roster ahead of the final week of the regular season.