MLB Player News

Pop (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pop has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a strained right hamstring but would appear close to heading out on a rehab assignment. The reliever posted a 6.59 ERA over 15 appearances before getting hurt.

Jackson was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Friday with a right flexor tendon strain.

It's an injury which typically results in longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Jackson was part of the closer mix in a messy A's bullpen situation but now figures to be out of commission for at least a month or so. Not a single active member of the bullpen has recorded a save this season.

The Athletics selected Erceg from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The A's acquired Erceg from Milwaukee on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, and now the 28-year-old will get his first chance in the big leagues. Erceg holds a 6.47 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in the minors this season but has shown an ability to strike batters out at an above-average rate. Still, it's unlikely he gets many high-leverage opportunities in an unsettled Oakland bullpen before proving he can succeed in the big leagues.

The Athletics designated Neal for assignment Friday.

After optioning Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Neal will now be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Lucas Erceg, who was acquired in a trade from Milwaukee on Wednesday. Neal has made two major-league appearances this season, allowing three earned runs across 3.1 innings.

Baker (3-1) allowed two runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning versus the Angels on Thursday, taking the loss.

Adley Rutschman's two-run home run in the seventh inning put the Orioles ahead, but Baker put two runners on in the eighth. Austin Voth and Danny Coulombe each allowed an inherited runner to score, both charged to Baker. Prior to Thursday, Baker had allowed just one run over his last 20 appearances combined. He's now at a 2.57 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB through 21 innings this season. The right-hander's earned high-leverage work with the Orioles down a couple of key arms, but it's unclear if Baker will maintain that role once Mychal Givens (knee) and Dillon Tate (forearm) are back from the injured list.

Estevez earned a save against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two batters over one inning.

Estevez didn't have his breeziest outing Thursday, but he benefitted from Adam Frazier getting thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double and fanned Ryan Mountcastle for the final out with a pair of Orioles on base. With that, Estevez remained perfect with a 10-for-10 mark on save opportunities this season, and he has given up a run in only three of 20 outings on the campaign. The right-hander is one of only two pitchers (along with Alexis Diaz) to have racked up double-digit saves without blowing any chances so far this season.

Sandlin (2-1) struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the win Thursday over the White Sox.

Sandlin kept the game tied by getting the last out of the sixth inning, and he stayed in for the seventh after the Guardians took the lead. He's pitched 6.1 scoreless innings over five appearances in May, allowing just one hit while striking out six and walking none. The right-hander had a shaky start to the year, but he's now at a reasonable 3.71 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB with one blown save over 17 innings this season. He's likely to remain in a low-leverage role since the Guardians have one of the strongest bullpens in the league.

Marinaccio picked up the save with a clean inning Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Marinaccio needed just seven pitches to retire the Blue Jays in the ninth inning and pick up his first save of the season. The Yankees' closer role is up for grabs, as six different players have converted a save. Wandy Peralta gave up a walk-off homer Wednesday. Michael King converted a save earlier this week, but he threw 21 pitches Wednesday. Clay Holmes pitched in each of the previous two games. Add it all up and the more rested Marinaccio got the call and delivered. Marinaccio has a 4.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP and will presumably not get regular save opportunities.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Hamilton (groin) will be out for approximately four weeks, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Hamilton was enjoying a breakout season before landing on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right groin strain. He holds a 1.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 22 innings and is now looking at an extended stay on the IL. In Hamilton's absence, the Yankees will likely turn to Ron Marinaccio and Jimmy Cordero more often in high-leverage relief situations.

Clase picked up the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the White Sox. He allowed a hit and picked up a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

Clase had allowed three earned runs across his previous two outings, which was the first time this season the righty had allowed runs in consecutive appearances. He did allow a single Thursday but locked up his league-leading 15th save without allowing a run. Clase has given up seven hits in his last four innings, pushing his WHIP up to 1.16, and his ERA is 2.82 would represent a career high.