MLB Player News

Pivetta (9-6) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings to take the loss to the Yankees on Wednesday.

This was Pivetta's shortest outing in a Boston uniform, but he did not get much help from his defense in a four-run second inning. J.D. Martinez, starting in right field, could not up with a fly ball, and Bobby Dalbec had a grounder deflect off his glove at first base. Pivetta had two consecutive strong efforts before his rude introduction to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. The right-hander looks to get back on track in his next start, expected to be Wednesday at home against Minnesota.

King (shoulder) experienced renewed soreness following his second rehab appearance Aug. 13 at Triple-A Round Rock, but he's expected to return from the 10-day injured list before the Rangers' upcoming homestand concludes Sept. 1, MLB.com reports.

Texas had been hopeful that King would be ready to return from the IL on Tuesday, but the setback during the rehab assignment derailed those plans. Ideally, King will make at least one more appearance in the minors with no renewed discomfort before reclaiming a spot in the Texas bullpen.

Scrubb (shoulder) threw 20 pitches off a mound Tuesday.

Scrubb has been on the injured list, first the 10-day then the 60-day, since July 17. After Houston upgraded its bullpen at the trade deadline, the team is not counting on Scrubb to be anything more than a low-leverage option when he returns.

Hendriks struck out three over 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings to pick up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Oakland. The save was his 28th of the season.

After a rough two-game stretch against the Yankees last week, Hendriks closed the door on the Athletics for the second straight appearance. The closer told Scott Merkin of MLB.com that, through the unlikely help of his wife, he noticed he was tipping pitches. Following his wife's suggestion, Hendriks studied video and noticed a tell, which led to an adjustment. He's struck out six without giving up a hit over 2.2 innings since.

Tapia (1-0) retired the only batter he faced to earn the win Wednesday versus Houston.

The right-hander needed only four pitches to induce a fielder's choice off the bat of Jose Altuve to end the seventh inning. Tapia became the pitcher of record when Hunter Dozier restored Kansas City's lead in the home half of the frame. Through 13.1 innings between the Royals and the Mariners, Tapia has a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB. He's become a fairly reliable low-leverage option for manager Mike Matheny.

Barlow allowed three hits in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Houston.

The right-hander gave up three singles, but he can thank Andrew Benintendi for an outfield assist to record the final out of the game. Barlow's save was his first since July 26 -- in the eight outings in between, he logged three wins, two blown saves and a hold. The 28-year-old remains very much in the mix for save chances while Greg Holland (shoulder) is out. Barlow has a 2.64 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 72:22 K:BB with seven saves and 14 holds in 58 innings.

Garza (2-1) allowed an unearned run on one hit and a walk in one-third of an inning, taking the loss versus Minnesota on Wednesday.

Cleveland rallied to tie the game in the ninth inning, but Garza gave up a walkoff single in the 11th to take his first loss of the season. The right-hander has yielded seven runs (six earned) in his last 3.2 innings across four appearances. He owns a 4.76 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB through 17 innings as a low-leverage reliever.

Hicks (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday, his first time doing so since suffering his injury May 1, the team's official site reports.

Hicks has been playing catch regularly in the field for some time, but the return to the mound is naturally a significant step in his recovery. The Cardinals continue to hold out hope they'll be able to get Hicks some game action -- be it at the major- or minor-league level -- before the end of the season, but they will continue to operate with considerable caution given the hard-throwing right-hander's extensive injury history.

Anderson (elbow) has logged three appearances for Triple-A Durham during his rehab assignment, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while recording a strikeout.

The three appearances have come within a six-day period, so the Bulls have put Anderson's elbow to the test with solid results. The right-hander's first two outings were perfect one-inning efforts before Jacksonville broke through against him Tuesday. The team's official site reports manager Kevin Cash noted Monday that he "would not be thinking much earlier than September" for an Anderson activation, considering the veteran reliever did not have a spring training and therefore needs what the Rays skipper describes as a "pretty lengthy build-up."

Fairbanks (shoulder) threw 24 pitches in his second bullpen session Monday and is scheduled to face live hitters Thursday, the team's official site reports.

The 27-year-old appears to be making progress at an optimistic pace after initially being sidelined July 28. Fairbanks may not necessarily need to embark on a rehab assignment if his live batting practice goes well Thursday, considering the relatively brief amount of time he's been on the shelf.