MLB Player News

Kansas City claimed Barlow off waivers from the Rangers on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Omaha.

Barlow was designated for assignment last weekend after the Rangers acquired Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton from the Cardinals. The 27-year-old reliever showed a lot of early promise with Texas in 2021-2022, but he has logged just 9.2 major-league innings this season and was sporting an underwhelming 4.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 25.2 innings for Triple-A Round Rock.

Toronto activated Jackson from the family medical emergency list Friday.

Jackson will return to the Blue Jays' bullpen ahead of Friday's series opener in Boston. The 35-year-old right-hander has allowed just one earned run through 17 innings of work this season for Toronto.

Hatch was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday.

Hatch spent only a couple of days in the majors and gave up three runs (two earned) in 2.1 innings of relief Thursday. The 28-year-old right-hander heads into DFA limbo carrying a 5.40 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB in 46.2 career innings at the MLB level.

Duran picked up the save Thursday against St. Louis, allowing a run on two hits while striking out one over one inning.

Duran's now converted his last two saves despite allowing a run in each appearance. He's been struggling of late, allowing six runs (five earned) over his previous 2.1 innings while sporting a 7.59 ERA in his last 11 outings (10.2 innings). Overall, Duran's gone 19-for-23 in save chances this year while maintaining a 2.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB across 42.2 innings.

Holmes picked up the save Thursday against the Astros, working around two hits in a scoreless inning.

The Astros got the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth inning before Holmes got Jose Altuve to ground out to seal the one-run victory. The 30-year-old right-hander has converted his last five save chances, striking out five over five scoreless innings in that span. Overall, he's 15-for-18 in save opportunities this season with an impressive 2.11 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 52:16 K:BB across 42.2 innings.

Smith picked up the save in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the White Sox, allowing one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Smith entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and gave up a one-out single to Oscar Colas. However, the lefty veteran was able to run right through the next two batters, getting both to go down swinging, to secure his 19th save of the season. Smith has now converted his last five save opportunities, allowing just one run and no walks over a stretch spanning six innings.

Estevez (5-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Mariners on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three batters over one inning.

Estevez entered the contest a perfect 23-for-23 in save opportunities, but that fantastic run came to an end Thursday. The right-hander walked the first two batters he faced before a Dominic Canzone single loaded the bases. Estevez bounced back to strike out Teoscar Hernandez but then saw the game turn on its head when Cade Marlowe belted a grand slam on an 0-2 pitch. Estevez probably isn't yet in danger of losing his closing gig given his strong overall results this season, though he's struggled of late, allowing nine runs over four frames across his past three appearances.

Munoz earned a save against the Angels on Thursday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning.

After Seattle rallied to take the lead with a four-run ninth inning, Munoz was summoned to slam the door on the Angels. He did so with aplomb, fanning all three batters he faced on 16 pitches. By doing so, Munoz notched a save for the second straight day. He appears to be the clear closer of choice for Seattle with Paul Sewald now in Arizona.

Ryan was selected to the Mariners' 40-man roster on Thursday and optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Ryan likely had another opt-out in his minor-league contract with Seattle, thus triggering this move. The 28-year-old right-hander will remain stationed at Tacoma, where he has pitched to a 3.72 ERA and 38:15 K:BB through 38.2 innings this season.

Oakland optioned Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Harris was lit up for eight earned runs over three innings in a brutal start Wednesday night against the Dodgers. The 26-year-old left-hander has posted a 6.98 ERA across his first 59.1 major-league innings this season.