MLB Player News

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

Toronto will swap Francis out of its bullpen for a fresher arm in Trent Thornton, who was called up from Buffalo in a corresponding move. Francis had most recently covered 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rangers, striking out two while allowing four baserunners. As he returns to the minors, Francis will likely get stretched back out for starting duty.

The Blue Jays recalled Thornton from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

He'll join the big club for the first time this season after he had previously been optioned to Triple-A late in spring training. Over 23.2 innings out of the Buffalo bullpen, Thornton pitched to a 3.04 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB. He'll presumably be limited to lower-leverage spots in relief while he's up with the big club.

Banks will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Rangers, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

During stops in the majors and minors this season, Banks has made 11 appearances spanning between two and three innings, and while he shouldn't be expected to work deep enough into Monday's contest to qualify for a win, he'll likely offer more length than the typical opener. Once Banks exits the contest, the White Sox could turn to Jesse Scholtens to cover multiple innings behind him.

Blanco did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against Cincinnati. He struck out five.

Blanco recently shifted back to the bullpen when Houston condensed its rotation from six to five, but he got a spot start Sunday because manager Dusty Baker wanted to give Hunter Brown an extra day of rest. Blanco struggled versus the Reds and surrendered a season-high five runs, and over his last three appearances (all starts), the right-hander has given up five home runs and nine earned runs while posting a questionable 15:9 K:BB through 17 innings.

Barraclough agreed to a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

After electing free agency following the 2022 season, Barraclough had most recently been pitching for the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, but he'll make his return to affiliated ball as a member of the Red Sox organization. Barraclough will most likely settle into the bullpen at Triple-A Worcester, hoping to string together enough quality performances to earn a call-up to Boston. The 33-year-old right-hander made eight appearances at the MLB level for the Angels in 2022, logging a 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB in nine innings.

Sands (shoulder) is set to begin throwing off a mound this week, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sands landed on the injured list on June 4 due to a right shoulder impingement. He'll likely need to go on a rehab assignment before returning. It wouldn't be surprising to see him activated and sent to Triple-A as he's mostly served as a long reliever in the majors.

Mayza gave up a hit but didn't allow a run in two-thirds of an inning during Sunday's loss to the Rangers.

While MLB's rule changes the last few years have effectively eliminated the LOOGY role, apparently nobody told the Blue Jays. Mayza has worked less than one inning in nine of his last 11 appearances, recording four holds over that stretch with a 2.57 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through seven innings. His usage puts a firm limit on his fantasy value, even in deeper formats that score holds, but the 31-year-old remains a key part of the Toronto bullpen.

White (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's game against the Twins to earn the win. He struck out three.

White helped the Tigers cobble through the middle innings of a bullpen game, and his strong performance was enough for his first MLB win in three games. The 24-year-old has now logged a 1.69 ERA and 0.56 WHIP across 5.1 innings for Detroit this year. He could bounce between Triple-A Toledo and the majors moving forward, though he may be able to stick with the Tigers if he continues to pitch well.

Ort allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 2.1 innings as the opener in Boston's 6-2 win over the Yankees in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Ort allowed a couple of hard-hit balls, including a two-run home run, in the first inning then settled down and managed to give the Red Sox seven outs on 32 pitches. The reliever was called up to open Sunday's matinee after Saturday's game was rained out. He took the roster spot of Tanner Houck (face), who was placed on the 15-day injured list, but it's unclear if Ort will remain in Boston.

Murphy allowed one hit and struck out three over 2.2 scoreless relief innings in Boston's 6-2 win over the Yankees In Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Murphy was the 27th man called up for the doubleheader and a key contributor out of the bullpen, which combined to throw 6.2 shutout innings and allowed Boston's bats to overcome and early 2-0 deficit. Murphy has been splendid since moving to the bullpen, a move that began at Triple-A Worcester. The left-hander has fired seven scoreless innings for the WooSox and six scoreless for the Red Sox. He's expected to head back to Worcester following Boston's doubleheader sweep but could return as an impact lefty reliever, considering how much southpaws Richard Bleier and Joely Rodriguez have struggled. Both Bleier and Rodriguez are currently on the injured list.