MLB Player News

Lange picked up the save Saturday against the Blue Jays, striking out one over one scoreless inning.

Lange entered the game in the ninth inning with a no-hit bid still intact for Detroit and went 1-2-3 through the top of Toronto's lineup. He whiffed the current hits leader in the American League, Bo Bichette, on three straight curveballs before forcing a flyout and a groundout in the next two at-bats and securing perhaps the biggest save of his career. Lange has now converted his last three save attempts, and he didn't issue a walk Saturday for the first time in his last five appearances.

The Royals will reinstate Yarbrough (head) from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game in Cleveland, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Yarbrough will be returning to the Kansas City rotation for his first start since May 7, when he exited an outing against Oakland midway through the sixth inning after being struck on the head by a line drive. The veteran southpaw suffered multiple head fractures and was eventually moved to the 60-day IL, but he'll be cleared to return in close to the minimum amount of time on the heels of a successful rehab assignment. Between stops in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and at Triple-A Omaha, Yarbrough submitted a 2.55 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 20:2 K:BB in 17.2 innings. He built up to six innings and 81 pitches in his most recent outing for Omaha on Tuesday and shouldn't face any major workload restrictions in his return to the big leagues.

King picked up the save Saturday against the Cubs. striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings.

King took over for Gerrit Cole with one out in the top of the eighth and needed just five pitches to retire the next two batters and end the inning. He would later hit Christopher Morel with a pitch in the ninth, but the right-hander was solid outside of that one hiccup en route to earning his sixth save of the season. King has now converted three of his last four save attempts and lowered his season ERA to 2.77 with Saturday's scoreless outing.

Anderson allowed three hits and struck out three over four scoreless relief innings in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Nationals.

Anderson entered after a 77-minute rain delay prior to the fourth inning and gave the Rangers what they needed. Texas was down 8-0 at the time, as starter Andrew Heaney left the team in a hole before the rain fell. Anderson, who threw a season-high four innings and the most since his college days, gave the Rangers a chance to claw their way back. Anderson has a 3.86 ERA over 23.1 innings (16 appearances) this season but had entered the contest with an 8.59 ERA over his previous 7.1 innings.

Pressly walked one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mariners.

Pressly was able to work around the free pass without trouble to log his sixth consecutive appearance with a save. He's allowed just one unearned run on four walks over his last 11 innings while picking up eight saves in that span. The Houston closer is at 20 saves this season with a 2.52 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 42:8 K:BB through 39.1 innings.

Murphy will work as the bulk reliever Sunday against the Athletics, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Murphy worked 3.2 innings in bulk relief Tuesday and allowed only one run against the Rangers. He'll follow Tayler Scott on Sunday and should have the chance to earn the win if he can pitch effectively once again.

Scott will serve as the opener for Sunday's game against the Athletics, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Scott was recalled by the Red Sox on Tuesday and pitched an inning the same day. He hasn't taken the mound since, but he should only be expected to work an inning or two in Sunday's appearance. Chris Murphy will cover the bulk of the innings.

Guerra's contract was selected by the Rays on Saturday.

Guerra pitched his way off the 40-man roster in mid-May but went unclaimed and remained in the Rays' organization. He owns a 6.75 ERA in 13.1 innings of relief at the big-league level this season, striking out nine batters while walking 18. His 5.94 ERA at the Triple-A level doesn't inspire confidence either. Elvin Rodriguez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Blanco was called up for a spot start against the Mariners on Thursday, giving up three runs in six innings. He wasn't going to get into another game before the All-Star break, so he'll return to the minors to await his next chance. Joel Kuhnel was recalled to give the team another option in the bullpen.

Kuhnel was called up by the Astros on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Kuhnel was acquired from the Reds for cash considerations in mid-June. In 74 career major-league innings, he owns a 6.20 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, so he's unlikely to get anywhere near high-leverage work. Ronel Blanco was optioned in a corresponding move.