MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Fitts to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Fitts lasted only four innings in Monday's loss to the Twins and has consistently struggled to pitch deep into games for Boston. The Red Sox have not revealed who will take Fitts' spot in the rotation, but it seems likely that it will be someone they acquire before Thursday's trade deadline.

Cobb (hip) will resume a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan on Tuesday, broadcaster Dan Hasty reports.

Cobb made three previous rehab starts from late May to mid-June but had to be pulled off the rehab assignment due to renewed soreness in both hips. The veteran right-hander will attempt to make it back to the Tigers at some point during the final two months of the season, but it's no safe bet that it will happen.

The Astros announced Monday that McCullers (finger) has resumed playing catch, but he has yet to begin throwing off a mound, Matthew Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Though McCullers isn't expected to be in line for an extended absence after landing on the 15-day injured list a week ago due to a blister on his pitching hand, he doesn't appear to be on pace to be activated when first eligible next Monday. McCullers is one of seven Astros starters currently on the IL, but Houston should get some reinforcement for its rotation soon since four of those pitchers are in the midst of rehab assignments.

Single-A Delmarva reinstated Morfe (finger) from its 7-day injured list Sunday.

Morfe is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against Lynchburg in what will be his first appearance for Delmarva since April 18. The 19-year-old was shelved for more than three months due to a right ring finger sprain, but he was cleared to rejoin the Delmarva rotation after turning in a 2.84 ERA and 1.89 WHIP while striking out 12 over 6.1 innings across three rehab outings in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Tuesday that Rodriguez is receiving multiple opinions on his injured right elbow, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Rodriguez was sent for imaging on the elbow more than a week ago, but a decision on his next steps haven't been made because the Orioles are being thorough in his evaluation. The right-hander has been shelved all season with lat and elbow issues and has been shut down since suffering a setback with his elbow earlier this month.

McDermott (elbow) rejoined the Triple-A Norfolk rotation Saturday, striking out one over 1.1 innings while allowing five earned runs on four hits and two walks.

McDermott exited his final start before the All-Star break July 10 due to right elbow discomfort, but Norfolk never placed him on the injured list. Though McDermott ended up missing his first turn through the rotation of the second half, the right-hander made enough progress in his recovery from the injury to take the hill over the weekend. Through 11 appearances (10 starts) with Norfolk this season, McDermott owns a 7.80 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 42:35 K:BB in 42.2 innings.

Povich (hip) is scheduled to make another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Norfolk, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

After building up to 70 pitches and five innings in the fourth appearance of his rehab assignment this past Thursday for Norfolk, Povich looked to be an option to return from the 15-day injured list to start one game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays, but the Orioles have instead called up righty Brandon Young from High-A Aberdeen to cover the bulk of the innings for the second game of the twin bill. Povich, meanwhile, will remain on assignment for Norfolk, and assuming he's able to get further stretched out Tuesday, he could be activated from the IL ahead of his next appearance. The Orioles don't appear to have room in the five-man rotation for Povich at the moment, but a spot could open up for the young lefty if Baltimore moves a starter ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Blackburn (shoulder) threw 87 pitches (56 strikes) for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

The veteran righty has looked good on his rehab stint, and over two appearances for Syracuse he's posted an 11:2 K:BB in 11.1 innings with a 1.59 ERA. While the Mets have Blackburn stretched out for a potential starting role, there doesn't appear to be room for him in the big-league rotation at the moment, and the team won't need a sixth starter until the second half of August due to frequent off days. Frankie Montas could get bumped to a long-relief role, but Blackburn is the more likely candidate to move to the bullpen once he gets activated.

France (shoulder) is scheduled to make the third start of his rehab assignment later this week at Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After covering 1.1 innings in his first rehab start July 21 in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, France moved up to Double-A Corpus Christi for his most recent outing Sunday, when he allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over two innings. The right-hander will likely continue to increase his innings and pitch counts over at least two more rehab outings as he gets stretched back out after undergoing surgery last July to repair a torn right shoulder capsule. France has a minor-league option remaining, so the Astros could keep him at Sugar Land once his rehab assignment ends and he gets activated from the 60-day injured list.

Alexander will start Tuesday's game against the Nationals in Houston.

Alexander is likely to be optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land or moved to the bullpen once the Astros get one or two of their four rehabbing starters (Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia and J.P. France) back from the injured list, but until then, he should maintain a spot in the rotation. The southpaw will pick up his second straight start despite struggling in a loss to the Athletics following his call-up from Triple-A on Thursday, when he was charged with five earned runs on 11 hits and two walks over six innings.