MLB Player News

Durbin went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Durbin had gone hitless in his last three games, but he broke through with a pair of base hits in the series finale to lift his average up to .237 on the season. The 26-year-old remained in the starting nine at third base, and interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed prior to the contest that Durbin is expected to remain at the hot corner while the Red Sox break in the newly acquired Curtis Mead primarily at second base when he joins the team Monday, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Durbin is expected to take more reps at second base and shortstop as part of his pregame work, but the Red Sox have been pleased with how he's performed defensively at third base during his first season in Boston.

Mikolas took a no-decision Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out four.

Mikolas rejoined the rotation following a pair of outings as a long reliever, but the shift in role didn't yield better results Sunday. The 37-year-old right-hander has had a hard time putting batters away all year long -- he's yet to exceed four strikeouts in any of his 22 appearances and remains without a single quality start. Mikolas is unlikely to carry much fantasy appeal his next time out in Atlanta, where he'll bring a 5.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 102 innings.

Junk did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Padres, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out six over 4.2 innings.

Junk threw 55 of his 75 pitches for strikes and matched his season high with six strikeouts despite generating only four whiffs. He was one strike away from completing five scoreless innings before Manny Machado ripped an RBI double in the fifth, ending both the shutout and Junk's outing. Through three starts since returning from a right shin injury, the right-hander has allowed nine runs (eight earned) across 13.2 innings. Junk owns a 4.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 57:20 K:BB over 73.2 innings this season and is scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Mets.

Manager Tony Vitello said Sunday that Chapman (abdomen) is still without a target date for his return from the 10-day injured list, which suggests that the veteran third baseman won't be activated before the Giants' homestand ends Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Earlier in the week, Vitello left the door open for Chapman to return at some point during the Giants' six-game homestand that began Friday, but the five-time Gold Glove Award winner looks like he'll require some additional time to fully heal from the abdominal strain that sent him to the shelf July 1. On a positive note, Chapman is said to be making good progress in his recovery, as he took batting practice Friday and also ran the bases over the weekend, per MLB.com. Until Chapman is ready to return, Casey Schmitt will continue to hold down the fort at third base.

Buehler did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Marlins, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings.

After issuing a pair of walks to begin the second inning, Buehler allowed two runs to score, though one came across following a throwing error by catcher Luis Campusano. Kyle Stowers added a solo homer in the third, but Buehler settled in from there, retiring 10 consecutive batters before a sixth-inning single ended his afternoon. The seven strikeouts matched his season high. The veteran right-hander endured a miserable start to July, allowing 20 runs over his first 11 innings, but he has responded with back-to-back strong outings since the break. Buehler is scheduled to make his next start at home against the Giants.

The Athletics acquired Blewett from the Cardinals on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

After being designated for assignment by St. Louis a few days earlier, Blewett will recapture a 40-man roster spot as he moves on to Sacramento. The right-hander has produced a 5.18 ERA and 1.68 WHIP with 63 strikeouts over 48.2 innings in 37 appearances with Triple-A Memphis this season and tossed two scoreless innings in his lone outing at the big-league level. Blewett doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he'll join the Athletics bullpen right away.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said Saturday that Bericoto (oblique) may be ready to return from the 10-day injured list "within a couple of weeks, could be sooner," MLB.com reports.

Bericoto will have to complete a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated, but he has a few more boxes to check in his recovery from a left oblique strain before the Giants send him to one of their affiliates. The 24-year-old outfielder has been cleared to begin baseball activities, with Vitello noting that Bericoto resumed playing catch and hitting off a tee within the past few days.

Cox (oblique) was able to do some baserunning Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cox has been on the injured list since July 8 due to a left oblique strain, but his ability to run the bases suggests that a rehab assignment could soon be on the horizon. The rookie outfielder had produced a .269/.269/.500 batting line with one home run, four stolen bases, three RBI and five runs over 29 plate appearances with the Giants prior to landing on the shelf.

Springs was removed in the second inning of Sunday's 11-8 loss to the Twins due to right hip discomfort, MLB.com reports.

Springs dropped to 3-11 on the season and was charged with five runs allowed (four earned) on four hits and one walk over 1.1 innings in his start before exiting the contest. The Athletics will likely evaluate Springs further over the next day or two before deciding if he's available to make his next turn through the rotation, which would tentatively fall Friday versus the Tigers in Sacramento. Luis Morales tossed 4.2 innings of long relief Sunday and would be a logical choice to enter the rotation if Springs needs to miss a start.

Sheehan did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Mets, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

Sheehan stumbled out of the gate, allowing three straight hits before recording his first out, which resulted in the Mets plating their lone run against him. The right-hander responded impressively, holding New York hitless over the next 18 batters he faced. Sheehan exited in line for the win, but the Dodgers' bullpen quickly surrendered the lead en route to an 8-3 loss. He has now failed to complete six innings in each of his last eight starts while posting a 5.71 ERA during that stretch. His next outing is scheduled for Saturday at home against the Red Sox.