MLB Player News

Cortes (elbow) struck out nine and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk in 5.2 innings Thursday in his latest rehab start for Triple-A Nashville.

Cortes built up to 93 pitches (65 strikes) in what was the fourth and likely final start of his rehab assignment. The veteran southpaw has pitched effectively between his three outings with Nashville and one with High-A Wisconsin, logging a 1.00 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB in 18 innings. Though Milwaukee currently has five healthy starters who are all pitching well at the moment, manager Pat Murphy could be compelled to expand the rotation to six to make room for Cortes, who made just two starts for the Brewers before landing on the injured list April 6 due to a left elbow flexor strain. For his part, Murphy told Sophia Minnaert of FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin on Friday that the Brewers were still deciding on the next steps for Cortes, who could work in long relief if Milwaukee is unwilling to run a six-man rotation.

Gordon is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Guardians at Progressive Field.

The right-hander will be rewarded with a second turn through the rotation after he came through with a quality start last Wednesday, when he was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque. He kept the Cardinals off the board over six innings, earning his second career win while striking out three and scattering four hits and three walks. Gordon will get a favorable draw Tuesday, taking on a Guardians offense that has produced a collective 92 wRC+ (24th in MLB) since the beginning of July.

Snelling gave up two runs on four hits over 6.2 innings for Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, striking out 11 without walking a batter.

It was the best performance of the 21-year-old lefty's career, with the 11 Ks representing a new personal best. Snelling has been impressive since getting bumped up to Triple-A, posting a 2.30 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB over 15.2 innings, and if the Marlins find new homes for the likes of Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera at the trade deadline, Snelling could be among the replacements called up to fortify the big-league rotation.

White gave up two hits over five scoreless innings for Double-A Pensacola on Saturday, striking out 14 without walking a batter.

The 20-year-old southpaw set a new career high in Ks, and per Cole Weintraub of MLB.com, 13 of those strikeouts came in a 14-batter span -- something no major-league pitcher has done since 1961. White has a 2.25 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB through 20 innings over five starts since getting promoted for Pensacola, and the Marlins' top pitching prospect may not be long for Double-A if he keeps dominating like this.

The Twins designated Gillispie for assignment Monday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Michael Tonkin, who was called up from Triple-A St. Paul. Gillispie was a waiver claim of the Twins in late June but has been hammered for 22 runs over 13.2 innings during his time with St. Paul.

Yesavage threw four perfect innings for Double-A New Hampshire on Saturday. He struck out five.

The 22-year-old right-hander hadn't pitched since July 6, a planned layoff as the Blue Jays focus on limited Yesavage's workload in his first professional season, but he returned to the mound in impressive fashion and fired 33 of 48 pitches for strikes. Over 71.2 innings across three levels this season, Yesavage sports a 3.01 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 116:30 K:BB.

The Red Sox promoted Early from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Worcester will be breaking two new starters into its rotation this week, as right-hander David Sandlin was promoted along with the 23-year-old lefty. During his four-month stay with Portland to begin the season, Early made 15 appearances (12 starts) and logged a 2.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 96:29 K:BB across 71.2 innings.

Fitts is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Twins at Target Field.

Despite getting roughed up for four earned runs over just 3.1 innings in a loss to the Phillies in his return to the Boston rotation last week, Fitts will get at least one more start for the big club. Though injuries to Tanner Houck (elbow) and Hunter Dobbins (knee) may have extended Fitts' leash in the rotation, the Red Sox could call up Cooper Criswell or Kyle Harrison from Triple-A Worcester to replace him as the team's No. 5 starter if Fitts turns in another subpar performance Monday.

Roby underwent Tommy John surgery Friday, Katie Woo and Keith Law of The Athletic report.

Roby had landed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Memphis two weeks ago with an undisclosed injury, and as it turns out, he needed surgery on his pitching elbow that will likely keep him sidelined until the 2027 season. The righty had pitched well this season between Double-A Springfield and Memphis before getting hurt, collecting a 3.10 ERA and 87:19 K:BB over 78.1 innings covering 16 starts.

Ragans (shoulder) has been playing catch out to 105 feet and is expected to extend his throwing distance during the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.

If Ragans is able to stretch out his distance to around 120 feet and avoids any setbacks with his shoulder, he could be cleared to start throwing off a mound at some point next week. On the mend from a left rotator cuff strain that landed him on the injured list June 11, Ragans is progressing but still has several checkpoints to hit in the recovery process before he returns to the Kansas City rotation. At this point, the southpaw appears unlikely to be activated until the second half of August at the soonest.