The Texas Rangers agreed to a deal with free-agent left-hander Martin Perez on Friday, pending a physical, according to sources familiar with the situation. MLB Network's Jon Heyman is reporting that the deal is worth $4 million for the 2022 season. Perez became a free agent when the Boston Red Sox declined his $6 million option for this year back in November. The 30-year-old mostly struggled in Beantown with a 4.74 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 114 innings over 36 outings (22 starts) for Boston. Perez will be returning to Texas, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career. Depending on what other arms the Rangers add in free agency (Clayton Kershaw perhaps), Perez could have a shot at the back end of Texas' rotation to open the 2022 season, but he won't be a particularly attractive fantasy option.

The Boston Red Sox declined their club options on right-hander Garrett Richards ($10 million) and left-hander Martin Perez ($6 million) on Sunday, making them both free agents. Both pitchers started the year in Boston's rotation but ended the season pitching in relief. Richards will receive a $1.5 million buyout, while Perez receives a $500,000 buyout. Richards, 34, was 7-8 on the season with a 4.87 ERA in 40 outings (22 starts) for Boston in 2021. Perez also went 7-8 with a 4.74 ERA in 36 appearances (22 starts) for the BoSox during the regular season. While one or both of them could get some consideration in starting roles on the free-agent market, neither of them will be very attractive fantasy options in deeper leagues.

The Boston Red Sox activated starting pitcher Martin Perez from the COVID-19 injured list on Tuesday. He will likely be pitching out of the bullpen upon his return. The 30-year-old veteran tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 30 and was forced to be away from the team. He worked out for the Red Sox on Monday afternoon prior to his activation. The lefty began the year in the team's rotation and had some success before faltering in June and July, prompting a move to the 'pen. Over 31 games (22 starts) on the year, Perez is 7-8 with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Martin Perez has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the third player on the team to do so after Kike Hernandez and Christian Arroyo. He is now expected to miss 10 games, and contact tracing is ongoing. After being demoted to the bullpen, Perez is not likely to be on many fantasy rosters, but fantasy managers should be paying close attention to see if any other more relevant players are affected by this developing issue. No corresponding move has been announced as of yet.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Martin Perez managed to record just four outs Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up three runs on five hits, including a home run to Robbie Grossman to start the game. He struck out two and hit a batter. With the loss, his record falls to 7-8, and his ERA and WHIP rise to 4.77 and 1.52. Perez has recorded just four quality starts in his 22 outings this year. He should be long gone from fantasy rosters, as he may soon be from Boston's rotation.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Martin Perez had a disappointing outing against the Tampa Bay Rays Friday, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk in four innings. He struck out three batters and allowed three home runs. He was saddled with the loss, dropping his record on the year to 7-7. Perez has just one quality start in his last ten outings, and has given up at least one home run in four straight. With a 4.56 ERA and 1.49 WHIP on the season, he isn't performing well enough to warrant a roster spot in most formats.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner completed his record-tying third career cycle by hitting a sixth-inning triple for the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, accomplishing the feat on his 28th birthday in a 15-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The speedy shortstop became the fifth player in major league history with three cycles, joining Adrian Beltre, Babe Herman, Bob Meusel and John Reilly, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He also scored four times in the victory, which sealed a two-game sweep as well as Washington’s fourth straight win and 14th in its last 17 games. Turner singled in the first off Tampa Bay opener Drew Rasmussen, doubled in the third against Ryan Sherriff (0-1), then hit his 14th homer in the fourth off Michael Wacha. Two innings later, Turner hit a ball into the right-field corner and beat second baseman Mike Brosseau's throw to third with a headfirst slide. Jon Lester (2-3) allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out three and walking two. ANGELS... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night. Strasburg (1-1) started for the first time since April 13. He had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He picked up his first win in a regular-season game since Sept. 26, 2019. Strasburg allowed only Anthony Santander’s leadoff single in the second. He walked four and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Washington scored two runs against Jorge López (1-5) in the fifth. López allowed four straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Bell (3 hits) and Kyle Schwarber and a run-scoring single by Josh Harrison. Freddy Galvis hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth against Brad Hand. Trey Mancini had two hits for the Orioles, who have lost 11 of 13 since John Means threw a no-hitter on May 5. DODGERS 2, GIANTS 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Trevor Bauer struck... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night. Strasburg (1-1) started for the first time since April 13. He had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He picked up his first win in a regular-season game since Sept. 26, 2019. Strasburg allowed only Anthony Santander’s leadoff single in the second. He walked four and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Washington scored two runs against Jorge López (1-5) in the fifth. López allowed four straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Bell (3 hits) and Kyle Schwarber and a run-scoring single by Josh Harrison. Freddy Galvis hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth against Brad Hand. Trey Mancini had two hits for the Orioles, who have lost 11 of 13 since John Means threw a no-hitter on May 5. DODGERS 2, GIANTS 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Trevor Bauer struck... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night. Strasburg (1-1) started for the first time since April 13. He had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He picked up his first win in a regular-season game since Sept. 26, 2019. Strasburg allowed only Anthony Santander’s leadoff single in the second. He walked four and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Washington scored two runs against Jorge López (1-5) in the fifth. López allowed four straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Bell (3 hits) and Kyle Schwarber and a run-scoring single by Josh Harrison. Freddy Galvis hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth against Brad Hand. Trey Mancini had two hits for the Orioles, who have lost 11 of 13 since John Means threw a no-hitter on May 5. DODGERS 2, GIANTS 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Trevor Bauer struck... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night. Strasburg (1-1) started for the first time since April 13. He had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He picked up his first win in a regular-season game since Sept. 26, 2019. Strasburg allowed only Anthony Santander’s leadoff single in the second. He walked four and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Washington scored two runs against Jorge López (1-5) in the fifth. López allowed four straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Bell (3 hits) and Kyle Schwarber and a run-scoring single by Josh Harrison. Freddy Galvis hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth against Brad Hand. Trey Mancini had two hits for the Orioles, who have lost 11 of 13 since John Means threw a no-hitter on May 5. YANKEES 2, WHITE SOX 1 NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres homered... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night. Strasburg (1-1) started for the first time since April 13. He had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He picked up his first win in a regular-season game since Sept. 26, 2019. Strasburg allowed only Anthony Santander’s leadoff single in the second. He walked four and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Washington scored two runs against Jorge López (1-5) in the fifth. López allowed four straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Bell (3 hits) and Kyle Schwarber and a run-scoring single by Josh Harrison. Freddy Galvis hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth against Brad Hand. Trey Mancini had two hits for the Orioles, who have lost 11 of 13 since John Means threw a no-hitter on May 5. YANKEES 2, WHITE SOX 1 NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres homered... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, allowing just one hit as the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Friday night. Strasburg (1-1) started for the first time since April 13. He had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He picked up his first win in a regular-season game since Sept. 26, 2019. Strasburg allowed only Anthony Santander’s leadoff single in the second. He walked four and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Washington scored two runs against Jorge López (1-5) in the fifth. López allowed four straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Bell (3 hits) and Kyle Schwarber and a run-scoring single by Josh Harrison. Freddy Galvis hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth against Brad Hand. Trey Mancini had two hits for the Orioles, who have lost 11 of 13 since John Means threw a no-hitter on May 5. YANKEES 2, WHITE SOX 1 NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres homered... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The manager won’t be back, and there could be more changes for the Boston Red Sox after their last-place finish in the pandemic-shortened season. J.D. Martinez is eligible to opt out of his contract, Jackie Bradley Jr. is a free agent, and the pitching rotation and bullpen were revealed by the unusual year to be in shambles. The team also needs to replace Ron Roenicke, who was told before the season finale that he's not in their plans. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom will need to deal with these issues; he hopes to have a more normal offseason to do it (Last year, he landed in the middle of a cheating investigation that cost the team manager Alex Cora, and a mandate to cut salary that cost the Red Sox Mookie Betts and David Price -- even before the coronavirus shut down spring training). Here is a look at some of the items on Bloom’s to-do list: MANAGER With Cora tainted by the Astros cheating investigation and spring training less than a month away, Bloom’s options were... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

Twins third. Jonathan Schoop walks. Mitch Garver doubles to deep right center field. Jonathan Schoop scores. Jorge Polanco grounds out to second base, Gordon Beckham to Jordy Mercer. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz grounds out to third base, Dawel Lugo to Jordy Mercer. Mitch Garver scores. Marwin Gonzalez strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Tigers 0.Twins fourth. Miguel Sano doubles to deep left field. Max Kepler hit by pitch. C.J. Cron homers to center field. Max Kepler scores. Miguel Sano scores. Luis Arraez walks. Jonathan Schoop strikes out swinging. Mitch Garver pops out to Dawel Lugo. Jorge Polanco pops out to shallow right field to Gordon Beckham.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 5, Tigers 0.Tigers fifth. Jordy Mercer doubles to left field. John Hicks doubles to deep left field. Jordy Mercer scores. Gordon Beckham grounds out to shallow infield, Martin Perez to C.J. Cron. John Hicks to third. Victor Reyes grounds out to shallow infield to... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Veteran reliever Sergio Romo is right back in a pennant race.The AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins acquired the 36-year-old righty from Miami on Saturday night, hoping to boost their beleaguered bullpen for the stretch."It's kind of hard to explain because I'm super excited," Romo said after the Marlins' 9-2 loss to Arizona. "They're in a really, really good position to make a playoff push. That's exciting. It's super fun baseball to play.""But kind of mixed feelings based on the fact I get to leave a bunch of dudes I've grown to love. Cool dudes who allowed me to be myself," he said.Romo planned to take an early-morning flight from South Florida to Chicago, where the Twins were set to play the series finale Sunday against the White Sox. Minnesota then begins a series at Miami.The Twins got Romo, minor league pitcher Chris Vallimont and a player to be named for minor league first baseman Lewin Diaz.Romo was 2-0 with 17 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 38 games this season. The righty... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:ENCORE! ENCORE!Oakland right-hander Mike Fiers (3-3, 5.48 ERA) pitches in Seattle, starting for the first time since his second career no-hitter Tuesday against Cincinnati. Fiers lost to the Mariners on opening day in Japan.Rookie left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (2-1, 3.54) gets the ball for Seattle after a masterful outing at Yankee Stadium that raised eyebrows last week. A dark substance was spotted under the bill of Kikuchi's cap — possibly illegal pine tar. Major League Baseball issued no penalty afterward or even a statement on the matter. "It'll work itself out," Mariners manager Scott Servais said the next day. Coming off a 2-8 road trip, Seattle (20-23) has lost four in a row and 15 of 19 after opening 13-2.TWINS HURTINGMinnesota slugger Nelson Cruz is scheduled for an MRI after leaving Sunday's game against Detroit with a left wrist injury. Twins pitcher Martin Perez (5-1) exited in the sixth after being hit in the left foot by a line... [More]