MLB Player News

Montas was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The A's won't need Montas to make another start until after the All-Star break, so they will take this opportunity to add Ryan Dull to the bullpen for the final six days of the first half. It is unclear if he will start for Nashville or if the A's will use this as an opportunity to shut him down for a week or 10 days. He could rejoin the rotation against the Giants or against the Rangers in the second half.

Cole was placed on the bereavement list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Players on the bereavement list must miss between three and seven games. Cole isn't scheduled to pitch again until Saturday, so it's likely that he won't end up missing a start, though it's possible he misses one and returns after the All-Star break. Jake Marisnick was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Athletics are hopeful that Blackburn (elbow), who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday, will only be sidelined for a brief period, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blackburn was diagnosed with tennis elbow following his July 6 start against the Indians and is scheduled to meet with team doctors in the Bay Area this week as the Athletics look to determine if there's any additional damage. If the current diagnosis holds, Blackburn could resume throwing at some point during the All-Star break and return from the DL shortly thereafter. The injury may nonetheless hinder Blackburn's chances of regaining his rotation spot, as the Athletics could get starters Trevor Cahill (Achilles) and Daniel Mengden (foot) back from the DL this week. Blackburn may not have much of a case for sticking in the rotation over back-end starters like Frankie Montas, Chris Bassitt, Brett Anderson and Edwin Jackson after struggling to a 7.16 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in six outings prior to landing on the shelf.

Berrios (9-7) held the Royals to just one run on six hits and struck out eight through seven innings to earn the win Monday night.

Berrios has now recorded quality starts in six of his last seven outings. He leaned on his curveball Monday, as he threw it 41 times and induced five swinging strikes and four outs in play with it. Overall, Royals batters whiffed 16 times on 111 Berrios offerings as the young righty showed why he's the ace of present and future in Minnesota. He'll carry a 3.41 ERA into his last start of the first half Saturday against Tampa Bay.

Clevinger (7-4) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks across six innings to take the loss Monday against the Reds. He struck out 11.

Clevinger induced a whopping 20 swinging strikes in this one, but he also allowed a steady procession of baserunners and was scored upon in four different innings. While it's a disappointing start by his recent standards, Clevinger's propensity to miss bats and battle relatively deep into games continues to provide fantasy dividends. He hadn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his previous five starts and will look to get back on track this weekend against the Yankees.

Montas (5-2) tossed six shutout innings and allowed just three hits and two walks with two strikeouts to earn the victory Monday against the Astros.

Montas was efficient, as he needed just 88 pitches to get through six innings. He tossed 14 first-pitch strikes to 21 batters and allowed just one runner to touch second base, who was promptly eliminated via a double play the very next hitter. Montas was scuffling hard with just one quality start in his last four appearances after a strong first three starts to his season. He'll look to carry that momentum into the All-Star break as he'll take a 3.35 ERA into his final start of the first half Saturday against the Giants.

Cole struck out 11 and allowed just three hits and three walks through six shutout innings but was stuck with a no-decision Monday against the Athletics.

Cole was untouchable, as he induced 23 swinging strikes, with hitters mainly falling victim to the four-seam fastball (seven whiffs on 47 pitches) and the slider (eight whiffs in 29 pitches). Unfortunately for Cole, he was matched zero-for-zero by Oakland's Frankie Montas, and Brad Peacock gave up the game after relieving Cole in the seventh. The only downside to Cole's performance was that he needed 108 pitches to get through six frames and couldn't see things through himself, but usually the Astros lineup will get him the win in this situation. Cole will take a 2.57 ERA into his last start before the break Saturday against Detroit.

Rodriguez (11-3) surrendered no runs on three hits and three walks while fanning five across 5.2 innings Monday as he notched the victory over the Rangers.

Rodriguez needed 105 pitches to get through 5.2 innings, as he came within one out of turning in a quality start. Regardless, he hasn't given up a run over his last two outings (11.2 innings) as he sports a 3.62 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with a 105:32 K:BB over 99.1 innings. Rodriguez's next outing is slated for Saturday against Toronto.

Jorge (triceps) inked a minor-league contract with the Twins on Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic Minnesota reports.

Jorge was let go by Minnesota on Wednesday, but he's since been brought back on a minor-league deal. He'll continue his rehab assignment in Florida, as he attempts to return to health from a triceps injury.

Whitley has a mild oblique strain and was placed on the 7-day disabled list at Double-A Corpus Christi, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

There is not a specific timetable for Whitley to return to game action, but McTaggart says the team is hoping he doesn't miss more than a couple weeks. The top pitching prospect in the minors, Whitley has logged a 4.29 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 1.05 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB in 21 innings (six starts) since returning from his 50-game suspension. He was slated to pitch in the Futures Game but that will not happen due to this injury. It's still possible Whitley could still reach the big leagues this year, but it seems unlikely now, given this injury.