MLB Player News

The Blue Jays designated Woods Richardson for assignment Friday.

Woods Richardson was acquired from the Twins earlier this month and has appeared in three games out of the bullpen for Toronto. While he hasn't allowed a run, the right-hander has an ugly 5:7 K:BB across 10 innings.

The Astros announced that Teng would start Saturday's game against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cristian Javier (shoulder) appeared to be a candidate to come off the 60-day injured list to start Saturday in Detroit, but the Astros will instead give Teng another turn through the rotation while Javier continues to work his way back. Teng had a nice bounce-back outing against the Guardians in his last start Sunday, allowing just one run on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings to pick up his fourth win.

The Tigers claimed Diaz off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Diaz was designated for assignment last weekend after he was tagged for seven runs on seven hits and one walk across two-thirds of an inning in last Saturday's loss to the Twins. The 25-year-old still sports a high-90s fastball and potentially plus slider despite major control and command issues, and he'll get a fresh start in Detroit's organization.

Cruz is listed as the Royals' opener for Friday's game against the White Sox.

Kansas City has an opening in its rotation Friday with Stephen Kolek (personal) away from the team while he awaits the birth of his child, so Cruz will step in to make his first MLB start since 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance this season and will be pitching on just two days' rest, so he's unlikely to last even once through the batting order. The Royals called up Mitch Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, and he'll presumably be tasked with covering multiple innings in bulk relief.

The White Sox optioned Rock to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Rock has been wild in four outings with the big club this season, walking 11 over 10.1 innings to go along with 12 strikeouts and a 3.48 ERA. He is clearing off the roster to make room for David Sandlin, who will be recalled from Charlotte to start Friday's game versus the Royals.

Chapman earned a save against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing one walk with no strikeouts over one scoreless inning.

Chapman was summoned to close things out with Boston up 6-3 in the ninth inning. The veteran closer had to sweat out the save, as the Yankees loaded the bases with two outs before Chapman retired Ben Rice on a game-ending groundout. Though it wasn't easy, the outing was a bounce-back after Chapman blew his first save his last time out, when he gave up three runs without retiring a batter against the Rockies. The fireballing lefty is up to 15 saves on the campaign, tied for ninth most in the majors, and has a 1.99 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

Latz secured the save Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Latz needed every bit of a 6-3 cushion Thursday, watching his scoreless streak of 12 frames come to an end. The 30-year-old left-hander should still be locked into the Rangers' closer job, as he's successfully nailing down 10 save opportunities in a row. Through 38 innings, Latz has a superb 1.89 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB while converting 15 of his 17 save chances.

De Los Santos secured the save Thursday against the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

De Los Santos served up a solo home run to Dillon Dingler before letting the possible tying run get aboard, but Colt Keith grounded into a double play to end the game. Closer Josh Hader worked each of the past two days, so De Los Santos should revert back to a setup role going forward. The right-hander has a 4.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 35.2 innings while converting five of his seven save chances.

Barnett earned the save in Thursday's 9-6 win over the Giants, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

It's Barnett's second save in his first eight appearances in the majors this season. The 25-year-old right-hander has quickly ingratiated himself in the A's bullpen, allowing just two runs on seven hits and seven walks while striking out 19 in his first 14.2 innings. Barnett made five starts with Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the year, where he posted a 4.64 ERA over 42.2 innings, but he's now pushing for a high-leverage role in the majors.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Garcia (elbow) remains in a holding pattern due to neck and biceps nerve symptoms, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia was initially sidelined following surgery last September to remove scar tissue from his elbow, but it seems his nerve issues are the bigger problem now. The 35-year-old reliever remains shut down for the time being, and it's uncertain when he might be cleared to throw again.