Josh Donaldson said Sunday in an interview with The Athletic that he's unsure if he'll play next season.
"I don't know," said Donaldson prior to the Yankees' eventual loss to the Red Sox in both games of a doubleheader at Fenway Park. The 37-year-old third baseman will be a free agent at the conclusion of the season, unless New York decides to pick up his club option for next year, which seems unlikely. He's been limited to just 17 games this season due to injury and holds an underwhelming .724 OPS with six homers and eight RBI.
According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Nick Pivetta is unlikely to be moved back into the Red Sox' starting rotation.
Pivetta has excelled in a relief role for Boston since being jettisoned to the bullpen last mont, allowing just one earned run across 11 innings over his last eight appearances dating back to May 28. It'll most likely be lefty Chris Murphy operating in a bulk relief role to fill the void created by Tanner Houck's recent injury.
Kris Bryant (heel) is expected to ramp up baseball activities this week.
Bryant was able to do some light running in addition to hitting and playing catch over the weekend as he works his way back from a left heel contusion. There isn't an official timetable for his return, but it sounds like he could be back rather quickly.
Athletics acquired RHP Yacksel Ríos from the Braves for cash considerations.
Ríos was preparing to exercise the opt-out in his minor league contract with the Braves, so they ultimately decided to ship him to the Athletics, where he'll presumably get an opportunity to pitch in the majors relatively soon. The 29-year-old righty hasn't pitched in the big leagues since the 2021 campaign and holds a strong 2.49 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 30/8 K/BB ratio across 25 1/3 innings (22 appearances) this season at the Triple-A level.
Andrew Kittredge (elbow) is scheduled to face hitters on Friday in a live batting practice session.
Kittredge underwent Tommy John surgery last June and is poised to take a significant step in his rehabilitation process later this week. The 33-year-old high-leverage reliever is aiming to rejoin Tampa Bay's bullpen sometime after next month's All-Star break.
Calvin Faucher (elbow) is scheduled to face hitters on Friday in a live batting practice session.
Faucher hit the injured list earlier this month with right elbow inflammation, but it sounds like there's a chance he's back before the end of June.
Brandon Lowe (back) is scheduled to resume baseball activities on Friday.
Lowe has dealt with recurring back problems the two seasons and remains without an official timetable to return. He was shut down from baseball activities for 2-3 weeks earlier this month. Barring any setbacks, there's a chance he's back in the Rays' lineup at some point in July.
Ryan Yarbrough (face) will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Monday with the Royals' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.
Yarbrough suffered multiple facial fractures around his left eye when he was struck by a line drive back on May 7. The 31-year-old lefty is facing an extended rehabilitation process to build up his arm strength and pitch count, but he has a chance to return to Kansas City's rotation mix sometime next month.
Amir Garrett (elbow) is scheduled to face hitters on Monday in a live batting practice session.
Garrett landed on the injured list nearly three weeks ago with a left elbow injury and was handed a 3-4 week return timeline. Barring any setbacks, he should return to Kansas City's bullpen mix in early July.
Royals signed SS Jack Reinheimer to a minor league contract.
Reinheimer hasn't appeared in the majors since the 2018 campaign and was playing this season for the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League. The 30-year-old utility infielder provides the Royals with some extra organizational depth in the upper minors.
Alex Young allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning on Sunday against the Astros to record his first career save.
Young got the call in extra innings on Sunday and wound up allowing an unearned run to score courtesy of the Manfred Man, but held on for his first career save. The 29-year-old lefty made Cincinnati's season-opening roster and has pitched to a solid 2.83 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 31/9 K/BB ratio across 28 2/3 innings (30 appearances) this season in his Reds debut.
Carlos Estévez reeled off a perfect ninth inning on Sunday against the Royals to record his 19th save of the season.
Estévez was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the final frame and needed just 20 pitches (14 strikes) to slam the door. It was a much-needed bounce back effort after walking three consecutive batters and being pulled from a save situation on Thursday in his previous appearance. He's converted all 19 of his save opportunities this year to go along with a stellar 1.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 40/16 K/BB ratio across 31 innings (32 appearances).
Yankees optioned OF Oswaldo Cabrera to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Cabrera was sent out after the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader against the Red Sox in anticipation of Harrison Bader's return to the active roster on Tuesday. Cabrera has struggled during his time with the big league club this season -- slashing a cringe-inducing .190/.238/.298 with four homers, 18 RBI and a 37/10 K/BB ratio over 168 at-bats. He'll bide his time at Triple-A until he's needed again in the Bronx.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters after Sunday's victory over the Dodgers that Scott Alexander (hamstring) is likely heading to the 15-day injured list.
The left-hander suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday afternoon, the severity of which is not yet known. It doesn't sound like the Giants are too optimistic though, as they scratched Sean Hjelle from his scheduled start at Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday with the expectation that he'll replace Alexander in the Giants' bullpen.
Kenley Jansen closed out the Yankees on Sunday night, working a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a three-run lead and earn his 15th save of the season.
The 35-year-old hurler needed just 13 pitches (11 strikes) to get the job done in this one. He got Billy McKinney to ground out to first base and Oswaldo Cabrera on strikes before allowing a two-out single to Jose Trevino. No reason to worry though, as Jansen dug in and struck out Anthony Volpe to end the ballgame. He now holds a 3.04 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 28/12 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 innings on the season while making good on 15 of his first 18 save chances.
Alex Verdugo went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs as the Red Sox took the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader from the Yankees.
Verdugo started a rally with a leadoff single in the fourth inning, then ultimately came around to score the go-ahead run on catcher's interference. He also reached on an infield single in the fifth inning and scored on a two-run double by Triston Casas. For the season, the 27-year-old outfielder is now slashing .300/.373/.459 to go along with five homers, 26 RBI and three stolen bases.
Triston Casas went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run double on Sunday night, propelling the Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Yankees and a sweep of their doubleheader and their three-game set.
Casas delivered one of the biggest blows in the game with his two-run double off of Luis Severino in the fifth inning -- extending the Red Sox' lead to 4-1. It has been a rough go overall for Casas at the dish this season -- slashing just .210/.333/.379 with seven homers and 22 RBI in 234 plate appearances.
Jake Bauers went 1-for-3, walked, stole a base and scored the Yankees' lone run as they dropped the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader to the Red Sox.
Bauers led off the game by drawing a walk from Brayan Bello, advanced to third on a double and scampered home on a ground out off the bat of Anthony Rizzo. That's the only run the Yankees would muster in the ballgame. Bauers also reached on an infield single in the third and swiped second base before getting stranded there. On the season, the 27-year-old is now slashing .235/.316/.471 with five homers, 14 RBI and a pair of stolen bases in 113 plate appearances.
Luis Severino wasn't at his best in Sunday night's loss to the Red Sox, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits over his five innings of work.
The right-hander piled up six strikeouts on the evening while issuing three free passes. The biggest blow against him came on a two-run double off the bat of Triston Casas in the fifth inning. Severino got 10 swings and misses on 81 pitches in the ballgame -- nine of them on his fastball -- while registering a CSW of 21 percent. He'll look to get back on track and improve upon his 6.30 ERA and 1.57 WHIP when he does battle against the Rangers on Saturday.
Bryce Miller was terrific in Sunday's victory over the White Sox, allowing just one run on four hits over his seven innings of work.
The rookie right-hander racked up six strikeouts on the afternoon and didn't issue a base on balls. The lone tally against him came on an RBI single by Andrew Benintendi in the sixth inning. He generated eight swings and misses on 85 pitches on the afternoon, registering a CSW of 25 percent. He has now delivered outstanding performances in each of his last two starts and now boasts a 3.68 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 45/8 K/BB ratio over 51 1/3 innings in his first nine big league starts.