MLB Player News

Alexander (undisclosed) has struck out eight and allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks over eight innings between two appearances for Triple-A Sugar Land since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list July 30.

The 33-year-old righty was stuck on Sugar Land's IL for about six weeks due to an unspecified injury. Alexander possesses a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster, but he's unlikely to get a look in the big leagues in the near future unless Houston loses multiple starters or long relievers to injury.

Kimbrel agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kimbrel elected to become a free agent Thursday after being designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week, and he has now found a new home in Kansas City. The veteran right-handed reliever has appeared in 33 major-league contests with the Mets and Tampa Bay this season, posting a 4.81 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 32 punchouts over 33.2 innings. He'll likely begin his time with the Royals in a low-leverage role.

Campusano is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

The Padres will go with Freddy Fermin behind the dish Sunday after Campusano picked up starts at catcher in the first two contests of the series. Since the All-Star break, Campusano has gotten on base at an excellent .396 clip over 15 games, but he's provided limited counting statistics (no home runs or stolen bases, five RBI and one run).

Littell agreed to a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The veteran right-hander was let go by the Nationals on Friday after posting a 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 70:35 K:BB across 112.1 innings on the season. Arizona's rotation depth has been thinned out in recent weeks, but with Michael Soroka (glute) poised to come off the injured list Monday, the Diamondbacks may not have a spot available for Littell. With that in mind, Littell could have to settle for a long-relief role to begin his time in Arizona.

Miller (elbow) began a rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Iowa, striking out two batters while allowing one run on two hits and no walks.

Miller has made remarkable progress in his recovery from Oct. 13 surgery to repair a torn right UCL tendon and flexor tendon. Though a complex procedure of that nature would normally keep a pitcher out for a full season, Miller appears to have a strong chance at returning from the 60-day injured list by late August or early September after moving through his throwing progression without any setbacks and advancing to the final stage of his recovery process. Miller will stockpile appearances and will likely need to pitch on consecutive days at Iowa at some point over the next few weeks before the Cubs consider adding him to the big-league bullpen.

Rutschman (wrist) will travel with the Red Sox to Toronto and will go through a series of workouts to gauge the progress of his rehab assignment, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Rutschman reported to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday and went 1-for-5 with two walks, a double, two RBI and two runs in his two rehab games with the Woo Sox. He caught just five frames Saturday and served as the designated hitter Sunday, and it remains to be seen if the Red Sox will reinstate him without Rutschman having caught a full game. He won't be activated from the injured list Monday but could make his debut for Boston later in the week if his workouts go well.

The Cubs reinstated Roberts (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Roberts had been shelved since June 29 due to forearm inflammation but is back to full health after completing a six-appearance rehab assignment at Triple-A. The Cubs don't have a spot available for the right-hander in the big-league bullpen, so he'll stick around at Iowa for now.

The Athletics claimed Rashi off waivers from the Twins on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Twins on Friday and will now take on a 40-man roster spot with a new organization. Rashi started the season with Arizona, surrendering four earned runs in three big-league appearances. He's seen the bulk of his action at the Triple-A level, registering a 2.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB over 43.1 innings.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Garcia (hand) could resume his rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha as soon as Wednesday, Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

Garcia was scheduled to take part in fielding drills Sunday, and if the workout goes well, he'll get the green light to return to action at Triple-A after he was previously pulled off his assignment when he experienced renewed discomfort in his strained left hand following a July 28 appearance. Nick Loftin has been serving as the Royals' primary third baseman in recent weeks, but he'll likely be ticketed for a utility role once Garcia completes his rehab assignment and is ready for activation.

Feduccia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Feduccia will head to the bench after he started behind the plate in each of the Dodgers' previous three contests while going 2-for-8 with a walk and a run scored. Ben Rortvedt will get the nod at catcher Sunday, but Feduccia could end up being the Dodgers' favored option until Will Smith (neck) is ready to come off the 60-day injured list.