MLB Player News

May struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

May threw 14 pitches (eight strikes) to submit his second straight clean inning against the Royals. He's pitched three of the last four days, so it's possible he may not be available to close if Wednesday's day game presents a save opportunity. May is at a 4.37 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 29:26 K:BB with 13 saves in 16 chances over 35 innings this season. Lucas Erceg would be the most likely candidate to collect a save chance if May is resting Wednesday.

Harris (3-6) earned the win Tuesday in the Athletics' 5-4 victory over the Royals, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings.

Harris wasn't sharp, throwing 54 of 86 pitches for strikes in the bulk-relief outing, but he was able to keep the Athletics ahead after they took the lead in the second inning. It's an improvement on the eight runs in three innings he gave up Aug. 2 versus the Dodgers in his previous major-league outing. Harris has an uninspiring 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 56:28 K:BB over 63 innings through 14 appearances (six starts) in the majors this year. With Luis Medina (finger) on the injured list, Harris could stick as part of the rotation even if he continues to work behind an opener. Harris is tentatively lined up for a favorable road outing versus the White Sox over the weekend.

Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with lower back tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and got two outs while walking three across 25 pitches. He grimaced after throwing a slider in the dirt and then exited the game. While the length of his absence is unclear, it's seemingly a positive that he avoided an arm issue.

Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and was seen grimacing after throwing a slider in the dirt. He left the mound shortly thereafter, but additional details have yet to emerge.

Lange worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Monday's 8-6 win over the Cubs. He struck out one.

After command issues seemingly bumped him from the closer role recently, it appears that Lange may be back in the saddle, as he's now recorded the team's last two saves. That gives the righty 19 saves for the season in 22 chances. Jason Foley worked the eighth inning Monday, but he could still some opportunities. However, Lange has the more overpowering stuff, and it seems like the Tigers want to see him stick in the role as long as he's throwing strikes.

Brentz's (elbow) rehab assignment was transferred to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.

Brentz, who is on the road back from Tommy John surgery, made two appearances in the Arizona Complex League, striking out three while allowing an unearned run in 1.2 innings. The reliever will presumably make several more rehab appearances before potentially returning to the big leagues before the end of the season.

Coleman was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Coleman's season struggles continued Monday when he allowed a walk-off home run after hitting a batter in a 6-4 loss to the Athletics. Zack Greinke (elbow) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Weaver, who signed a major-league deal with the Mariners on Tuesday, will work in a long-relief role out of the bullpen, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

With Emerson Hancock (shoulder) done for the year, Weaver would likely be the next man up if the Mariners need a spot starter, but there aren't any plans to go to a six-man rotation. He had a 5.57 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 21 innings over his last five outings for the Reds before they released him last week.

McCaughan was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

McCaughan made one appearance in his most recent big-league stint, allowing one run on one hit while striking out the side during one inning against the White Sox on Monday. The reliever's return to Tacoma coincides with the Mariners reinstating Bryan Woo (forearm) from the injured list and signing veteran Luke Weaver.

The Athletics optioned Scott to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Scott was sent to the minors to make room on the 26-man active roster for Hogan Harris, who was recalled from Las Vegas and is expected to serve as a bulk reliever for Tuesday's game against the Royals. After getting called up from Las Vegas a week ago, Scott made two appearances out of the Oakland bullpen, tossing 2.2 scoreless frames.