MLB Player News

Butler went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 12-4 loss to the Rays.

Butler crushed an elevated cutter from Nick Martinez over the wall in right-center field for a two-run blast in the fourth inning. It marked the outfielder's second homer of August, and he's gone 8-for-38 (.211) across 10 games to start the month. Overall, it's been a year to forget for Butler, as he's slashing .206/.299/.330 with eight homers, 32 RBI, 44 runs and nine stolen bases over 112 contests.

The Red Sox recalled Gamboa from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Gamboa has been up and down between Worcester and Boston several times this season and has pitched well with the big club, logging a 2.08 ERA and 12:5 K:BB across 13 frames. He'll join the bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Seth Martinez, who was designated for assignment.

The Red Sox designated Martinez for assignment Wednesday.

Martinez made only one appearance during his brief time with the Red Sox, allowing one run over one inning of relief in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. He's being replaced on the active roster by Alec Gamboa, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester to give the Red Sox a fresh arm in the bullpen.

Torres is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Torres finds himself on the bench for a third straight game, with the left-handed-hitting outfielder sitting twice against right-handed pitchers during that span. Jose Fermin will get the nod over Torres in left field, but both players may be merely keeping the seat warm for prospect Joshua Baez, who has submitted an .893 OPS at Triple-A Memphis this season and could be in the mix for a late-season promotion.

Irvin (2-6) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up five runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings as the Nationals were downed 8-6 by the Cubs. He struck out four.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, Chicago tagged Irvin for runs in each of the next three frames before the right-hander got the hook after 88 pitches (56 strikes). Irvin has made three starts since coming off the IL in late July, and he's surrendered five runs in two of them while serving up four homers in 13.2 innings, including a solo shot by Pete Crow-Armstrong on Tuesday. Irvin will try to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Mets.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Orioles.

Jeffers will grab a seat for Wednesday's matinee after starting behind the dish in the first two games of the series. Victor Caratini will do the catching for the Twins.

Culpepper is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Orioles.

It's a routine day off for the rookie after he started the first two games of the series. Ryan Kreidler will step in at shortstop in Culpepper's stead.

Webb recorded his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up one hit and striking out two in 1.1 scoreless innings.

After Ryan Zeferjahn let the Nats creep closer in the eighth inning, Webb was called in to put out the fire and got the final out of the frame before handling the ninth. Webb hasn't been tagged for a run since June 20, with his scoreless streak standing at 20.2 innings with a 0.87 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB, and he's converted all six of his save chances during that span. Daniel Palencia (elbow) isn't looking especially sharp during his rehab assignment, and Webb is making a strong case to hang onto the closer role for the Cubs even after Palencia comes off the IL.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- over 4.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The ball was flying at Nationals Park as the two teams combined for six long balls, and Imanaga served up half of them, though he was able to limit the damage. The veteran southpaw left the mound after 86 pitches (55 strikes) as he got tagged for more than two runs for the first time since June 24. Over seven starts and 40.2 innings between those shaky performances, Imanaga put together a 1.77 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Cardinals.

Criswell (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, pitching around a hit and a walk to log a scoreless frame.

Criswell landed on the 15-day injured list nearly a month ago with a right shoulder strain. He could require another rehab outing or two before rejoining the Rockies' bullpen.