WORCESTER — Double-A Portland manager Chad Epperson called top Red Sox pitching prospects Connelly Early and David Sandlin into his office Sunday, telling them “it’s that time of the year.” The MLB trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. and Epperson had the two pitchers thinking they were being dealt.

The righthander is 6-1 with a 2.17 earned run average over nine starts after pitching six strong innings against the Minnesota Twins in an 8-5 victory on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI posted a picture of Chadwick Tromp, a 30-year-old veteran who has played for three major league teams, in the Worcester Red Sox's dugout. At the time, the Red Sox and Minor League Baseball transaction log had yet to reflect anything about a signing.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly clashed while the commissioner met with players at the ballpark, according to multiple reports.