MLB Player News

Smith was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Smith will return to the big leagues after being sent down in late April, as Richard Lovelady (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday in a corresponding move. Smith has produced a 6.30 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with six strikeouts over 10 innings in eight appearances for Oakland this season.

Cimber was reinstated from the paternity list Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Cimber will rejoin the team after he missed three days while with his expanding family. Right-hander Thomas Hatch was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Hatch was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Hatch has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings with an 8:3 K:BB this season during his brief time in the majors, but he's being jettisoned back to the minors nonetheless. Adam Cimber is back from paternity leave to take his roster spot.

Vest will serve as the Tigers' opener Friday against the Twins, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Vest took his first opener turn of the year last Sunday against the Diamondbacks and worked a scoreless first frame. He'll look to repeat that Friday versus Minnesota, with Tyler Alexander likely slated for bulk relief.

Soriano earned a hold against the Rangers on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Soriano got the call in the eighth frame in a close contest, emphasizing how quickly he's ascended the bullpen pecking order. Part of that rise is due to injuries to Ben Joyce (elbow) and Matt Moore (oblique), but Soriano has certainly earned his manager's trust as well. The rookie right-hander has yet to surrender a run in six big-league appearances, yielding just one hit and posting a 10:2 K:BB over seven innings. He's picked up five holds in those six outings, so he's worth a look in fantasy leagues that count that category, especially while Moore and Joyce remain out.

Estevez allowed one run on three walks without recording an out Thursday against Texas.

Estevez got the call in the ninth inning with the Angels up by three runs, but he could barely get the ball over the plate, tossing just eight of 20 pitches for strikes. The right-hander worked the count full against each of the three batters he faced and ended up walking them all before getting the hook, but Jacob Webb managed to contain the damage and notch the save. Estevez has been exceptional this season with a 1.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 39:16 K:BB and 18 saves in 18 chances, so Thursday's meltdown isn't likely to impact his job security.

The Astros optioned Gage to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He was called up Sunday to take the place of Ryne Stanek as he went on the bereavement list. Gage made two appearances during his brief stint, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking one. His solid, if brief, MLB track record isn't consistent with his performance in the minors this season (6.59 ERA, 2.05 WHIP), but Gage still figures to be on the short list of potential bullpen reinforcements for Houston later this season.

Stanek was activated from the family medical emergency list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Stanek had been away from the Astros since last weekend while tending to family matters. He returns to a 4.57 ERA and 21:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is throwing a simulated game Friday at Fenway Park, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

It'll be a big step forward in Rodriguez's recovery from a bout of left shoulder inflammation, which has kept him sidelined since June 1. He could feasibly return to the Red Sox bullpen by early next week, but he has struggled in limited action this year and figures to be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Stephan (3-2) allowed a walk and struck out one over 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win Thursday over the Padres.

Starter Logan Allen was ineffective, and three relievers prior to Stephan combined to yield one run on five hits and two walks. The official scorer decided Stephan was the most effective reliever of the bunch, giving him his first win since May 6. The right-hander has a 5.2-inning scoreless streak with a 5:1 K:BB in that span. For the season, he's been steady with a 2.40 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB while adding two saves and 11 holds over 30 innings in a setup role.