MLB Player News

Jansen struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Mariners.

Jansen had no trouble protecting a two-run lead, bouncing back after giving up a walk-off home run Saturday versus the Giants. The Boston closer has converted his last 15 save chances, and he's up to 24 saves in 27 tries this season. He's maintained a 3.06 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB through 35.1 innings.

Smith picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Smith was called on in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order. Since being named a co-closer with Aroldis Chapman coming out of the All-Star break, Smith has converted each of his three save opportunities, allowing just one run on four hits across 6.2 innings in that span.

The Yankees optioned Howard to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

After being dealt from Texas to the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Howard will head back to Triple-A. The 27-year-old righty holds a 5.40 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 18.1 frames in the minors this season and hasn't been very effective throughout his big-league career.

Vest (leg) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

A strained right leg has kept Vest on the shelf since late June, and he appears to be approaching a return to Detroit's bullpen. The 28-year-old righty holds a 2.73 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through 29.2 innings and figures to return within a week.

The Royals recalled Kowar from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kowar and James McArthur will both come up from the minors to make up for the departures of Scott Barlow and Ryan Yarbrough at Tuesday's trade deadline. With a 9.83 ERA and 2.13 WHIP through 57.2 career MLB innings, Kowar offers very little fantasy value.

The Royals recalled McArthur from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

After the Royals unloaded Scott Barlow and Ryan Yarbrough ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, McArthur and Jackson Kowar will both come up from Omaha to fill in the holes in Kansas City's bullpen. McArthur holds a 5.26 ERA through 49.2 innings in Triple-A this season and surrendered seven runs during his MLB debut in June.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Rodriguez surrendered nine runs in his past three outings and will now head down to the minors. Overall this year he has a 7.90 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 13.2 frames in the big leagues.

Bradford was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Bradford pitched well in spot duty his past two outings with three earned runs allowed across eight innings, and he'll head down to the minors with Texas' trade acquisitions joining the active roster. The 25-year-old has a 4.50 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across 40 innings this season, and it's likely only a matter of time before he rejoins the big-league bullpen.

The Mariners optioned Then to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

The Mariners will swap Then off the 26-man active roster for another reliever in Trent Thornton, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Then went unused out of the bullpen after he was called up from Tacoma ahead of Monday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox.

The Blue Jays optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

With Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Francis will head back to the minors to clear a spot on Toronto's roster. The 27-year-old righty has been impressive this season to the tune of a 2.30 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 15.2 innings out of the bullpen and has a very good chance at returning to the Jays later this summer.