MLB Player News

The Red Sox are expected option Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

After being called up from Triple-A on Friday, Burgos will head back to Worcester after two appearances with the big-league club. The 27-year-old pitched a scoreless three innings with two strikeouts in Friday's 13-1 win over the Athletics en route to earning a save, then mopped up for three innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss while giving up a pair of solo home runs. The Red Sox will make the transaction official prior to Sunday's series finale and will presumably call up a fresh bullpen arm in a corresponding move.

Cole (6-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-4 victory over Atlanta, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander recorded his 1,000th strikeout as a member of the Yankees when he caught Matt Olson looking to end the fifth inning. Cole accomplished that feat in just 139 appearances, becoming the fastest pitcher to reach the milestone in franchise history and breaking the mark held by CC Sabathia, who racked up 1,000 Ks in pinstripes in 162 games. Cole has given up three runs or fewer in seven straight outings, posting a 2.72 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 53:7 K:BB in 43 innings during that sizzling stretch. He'll look to win his fourth straight decision in his next start, which is set to come on the road next weekend in Toronto.

Rodon (elbow) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Rodon was cleared to begin his rehab assignment after landing on the injured list July 3 due to left elbow inflammation. The 33-year-old was pulled after throwing 48 pitches, with 29 of them going for strikes. Rodon will likely need to make at least one more start in the minors before rejoining the big-league rotation.

Acuna went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees.

The star outfielder took Brent Headrick deep in the eighth inning as Atlanta tried to mount a late comeback. Acuna has found his power stroke late in the season, and five of his 12 homers on the year have come in the last nine games -- a stretch in which he's batting .270 (10-for-37) with six RBI.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said that Abreu (calf) is doing better after receiving treatment Saturday and he is "hopeful" Abreu will play Sunday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Abreu was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Athletics with some swelling in his shin/calf area, but it sounds like he has a chance to play in Sunday's series finale. Boston is in the middle of a 16-game stretch with no off days. The 27-year-old is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak and five straight games with at least one RBI as well.

Sale (12-7) took the loss Saturday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings as Atlanta fell 5-4 to the Yankees. He struck out eight.

The veteran southpaw dialed up his fourth straight quality start and 14th of the season on 103 pitches (64 strikes), but Sale left the game with his team down 3-2 and Atlanta never found an equalizer. Sale hasn't allowed more than three runs in an outing since April 6, and since the beginning of June he's produced a 2.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 71:11 K:BB through 56 innings over his last 10 starts. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Burrows (elbow) threw 55 pitches over three innings at the Astros' complex Saturday and will next make a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Burrows is progressing toward a return from right elbow inflammation, which has kept him out of game action since July 6. It's unclear how many rehab appearances the right-hander will make, but he had been slated to be optioned prior to landing on the IL, so Burrows may not be added back to the MLB roster once he's ready to be activated.

Diaz isn't in the starting lineup Saturday versus San Diego.

Diaz will get a deserved rest after starting behind the plate in each of Houston's previous four games. Christian Vazquez is getting a turn at catcher in Diaz's stead against the Padres.

Rodriguez was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets due to left hip discomfort.

The Pirates' medical staff is still in the process of evaluating Rodriguez and should provide more details regarding the severity of his injury in the near future. In the meantime, Henry Davis will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Vargas (lat) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vargas has been on the shelf all season due to a right lat strain. The right-hander suffered a setback in late April that caused him to pause his throwing progression, but he's since been able to work his way back to the point of taking part in minor-league games. Given the length of his absence, Vargas will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before he's ready to be activated.