The Brewers reinstated Mears (back) from the injured list Wednesday.

Mears will rejoin the Brewers' bullpen following a minimum-length stay on the injured list. The 28-year-old should be a candidate for holds during the final week-plus of the regular season, while most of the save chances will likely go to Abner Uribe until Trevor Megill (elbow) returns. Jose Quintana (calf) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

Akin earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the White Sox, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Akin is up to seven saves on the season, including three in the last seven days, as he continues to work as Baltimore's primary closer. Overall, Akin sports a 3.15 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and 56 strikeouts through 60 innings this year.

Finnegan (groin) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Finnegan has missed most of September with a right adductor strain but has been cleared to test things out in a game setting. Given his brief absence, it could be the only rehab appearance Finnegan needs before returning to the Tigers' active roster. He's made 12 scoreless appearances and recorded four saves since being acquired by Detroit at the trade deadline.

Atlanta claimed Ragsdale off waivers from the Orioles on Wednesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Ragsdale had an inauspicious major-league debut with the Orioles over the weekend, allowing eight runs over three innings. He found himself jettisoned from Baltimore's 40-man roster after that, but the righty has landed on his feet with Atlanta. Ragsdale will report to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Harrison will start Saturday's game against the Rays in Tampa, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Harrison will move into the rotation as a replacement for rookie lefty Payton Tolle, whom Cora said would be used in the bullpen for the remainder of the season. After getting called up from Triple-A Worcester last week, Harrison made his Red Sox debut out of the bullpen Sept. 10 in Sacramento, striking out two over three scoreless innings. Though he had been serving in a starting role for Worcester, Harrison hadn't covered five frames in an outing since Aug. 19, so the Red Sox may not be counting on the lefty working deep into his start Saturday.

The Royals optioned Avila to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

He's being sent down in order to clear a spot on the active roster for the return of Cole Ragans (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list. Avila has allowed just one run with an 11:4 K:BB over 9.1 frames with the big club, but having minor-league options remaining worked against him.

The Nationals recalled Lao from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Lao was claimed off waivers by the Nationals earlier this month and is now poised to make his team debut. The right-handed reliever has permitted four runs (three earned) over 3.1 frames covering two appearances at the big-league level.

The Nationals optioned Ribalta to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Ribalta pitched each of the last two days, allowing a total of four runs over two innings. He's being replaced on the active roster by Sauryn Lao, who was called up from Rochester to give the Nationals a fresh bullpen arm after Tuesday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that he expects Vasil to remain in the bullpen next season, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Vasil was a starter throughout his time in the minors with the Mets before the White Sox plucked him in the Rule 5 Draft last offseason, so he'd be capable of getting stretched out. However, Getz and the White Sox like the versatility Vasil provides in the bullpen, with his ability to eat multiple innings and appear in high-leverage situations, depending on what is needed. Vasil has posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 77:47 K:BB over 95.2 innings, picking up five wins, four saves and two holds along the way.

The Rays optioned Gerber to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Gerber pitched well in two relief outings for the Rays, allowing one run with a 4:0 K:BB across 4.1 frames. He's being replaced by a fresh bullpen arm, as the Rays have summoned Cole Wilcox from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.