MLB Player News

Oakland optioned Watkins to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Watkins was lit up for five earned runs over 4.1 innings in a spot start Tuesday versus the Cardinals as the Athletics fell 6-2. Kyle Muller has been called up in a corresponding roster move and could step into the rotation next week.

Oakland recalled Miller from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Muller will presumably be available in long relief Wednesday against the Cardinals as he returns to the Athletics' major-league roster, though the team will have an opening in the rotation for him beginning next week. The 25-year-old left-hander has posted a rough 7.79 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 37:27 K:BB over 52 innings (11 starts) this season in the big leagues.

Dunn (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Dunn is expected to return to the Reds as a reliever, but he's been out all season with a right rotator cuff injury and will need to prove his health and effectiveness with several minor-league rehab appearances. The 27-year-old struggled to a 6.10 ERA across 31 innings (seven starts) for Cincinnati in 2022.

Hendricks did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings against the White Sox. He struck out four.

Hendricks allowed six baserunners and three runs through the first two innings but settled in, retiring 14 of the final 17 batters he faced to notch his ninth quality start of the year. After the soft-tossing hurler was roughed up by Atlanta on Aug. 4, Hendricks has produced more respectable results in his last two outings, allowing five earned runs with a 10:4 K:BB across 11 innings during that stretch. He is currently slated to face the Royals at Wrigley Field over the weekend.

Houck (face) struck out four over four scoreless innings and allowed one hit and no walks in his third rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Houck has been razor sharp over his most recent two outings for Worcester, covering seven scoreless frames while striking out seven and permitting just three baserunners. He was lifted after 59 pitches (36 strikes) Wednesday, and though he isn't yet stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, the Red Sox are likely to bring Houck back from the 15-day injured list and have him make his next appearance in the big leagues. Houck tentatively lines up for a return Monday in Houston, and he could be part of a six-man rotation if the Red Sox elect to keep Nick Pivetta in a starting role.

Watkins (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out four.

The 30-year-old righty put Oakland in an early hole during his season debut, giving up a two-run homer to Nolan Arenado and a solo shot to Jordan Walker in a four-run first inning. Watkins started 30 games for Baltimore over the previous two seasons, posting a record of 7-13 with a 5.85 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 160 innings during that span. If he sticks in the rotation, Watkins tentatively lines up to face the Royals at home early next week.

The Mets optioned Butto to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Butto will presumably transition back into a starting role as heads back to Syracuse after he was called up from Triple-A on Tuesday to provide a fresh arm out of the New York bullpen. He came on in relief of David Peterson and proceeded to pitch 2.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday against the Pirates after giving up three earned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out five. The Mets selected right-hander Dennis Santana from Triple-A Syracuse to fill Butto's spot in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster.

Toussaint allowed three earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four across four innings Tuesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Toussaint was plagued by both home runs -- he surrendered a pair -- and walks en route to his shortest start since July 2. In four starts since becoming a regular in the rotation, he's maintained a 5.12 ERA to go along with a 26:15 K:BB. Toussaint has a 14.3 percent career walk rate across 220.2 frames, so his chances to significantly improve his control in the final several weeks of the current campaign appear slim.

Keuchel's next start for the Twins will come Sunday against the Pirates, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Keuchel will get another start after being roughed up by the Phillies his last time out, but he'll be pitching on eight days' rest as the Twins take advantage of off days to push him back. Joe Ryan (groin) is slated for a rehab start this weekend, so it's possible this will be Keuchel's last chance to show he should stick around.

Greene (hip) allowed one unearned run on one hit and three walks while striking out nine over 5.2 innings for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Greene raised his pitch count to 83 in his fourth rehab start. The Reds targeted Sunday's game against the Blue Jays for the right-hander to make his return from the 60-day injured list, and he appears set to hit that mark on the heels of the strong rehab outing.