MLB Player News

Gowdy spent the last two years in the Dodgers organization, finishing last year with a respectable 4.38 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 45/23 K/BB ratio across 51 1/3 innings (42 appearances) for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 27-year-old righty was a second-round pick of the Phillies in the 2016 MLB Draft and has yet to ascend to the big leagues. He’ll augment Toronto’s organizational relief depth at Triple-A Buffalo.

Barnett had a couple of saves for the A’s last month, but he’d given up nine runs in six innings since July started, taking his ERA from 1.17 to 4.64. He was a starter in Triple-A before being called up, but given that we’re in the second half, it might make sense to keep him in the pen for now and see if he can resume being of use there later.

The A’s demoted Meneses and Brian Serven from the position player side. Donovan Walton, who was just claimed off waivers from the Angels, is taking one spot. The other spot has yet to be filled, but it’ll probably be a callup (Darrell Hernaiz?), since it doesn’t sound like any of the team’s injured position players are ready to be activated. Meneses is 3-for-20 with three walks in his nine games with the A’s this year.

Serven has served two brief stints with the A’s this month, going 1-for-4 in two appearances. He’ll head back to Triple-A and continue to serve as insurance in case Shea Langeliers or Jonah Heim gets hurt.

Tur, a 26-year-old signed out of Cuba in 2023, will be making his major league debut. He had a 4.41 ERA and a 64/26 K/BB over 51 innings in five starts and 22 relief appearances for Las Vegas. He’s been a one- and two-inning guy of late, so expect the A’s to use him in low-leverage relief for now.

The Athletics’ surprising $6 million investment in Civale over the winter worked out well initially — he started off 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA through nine starts — but it always figured to end badly. He loses his spot now after allowing 31 earned runs over 28 innings while going 0-6 in his last seven starts. He’ll become a free agent after clearing waivers and should quickly land a minor league deal, if he wants one. Jacob Lopez is probably the favorite to replace Civale in the rotation next week.

That’s just under the slot value of $6.1335 million for the 11th pick, freeing up a little additional money to get deals done with second-rounder Chase Brunson and third-rounder Luke Williams. Barring something unexpected, Hacopian, one of the draft’s most polished bats, should get a chance to begin his pro career this year,

Parker Messick will get some extra rest after throwing a scoreless second inning in the All-Star Game. He’ll presumably face the Twins or Monday or Tuesday, with Slade Cecconi starting the other game.

Voth was just signed to a minor league deal a couple of weeks ago and apparently requested the move, so we’re going to assume he’s on his way back to Asia. The 34-year-old pitched for Chiba Lotte in Japan last season, posting a 3.96 ERA in 125 innings. He’d given up 11 earned runs in 10 innings for the Blue Jays and Twins this season.

Arnold said the Brewers wouldn’t rush Harrison back. At this point, however, it doesn’t seem like the left-hander is in store for a lengthy absence.

Peralta’s father passed away just prior to the break. The reliever will be eligible to rejoin the Padres this weekend.