MLB Player News

Long was traded from the Giants to the Athletics on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations.

Long was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Wednesday, but he'll have an opportunity to carve out a role with the Athletics. The southpaw began the season at Triple-A Sacramento and posted a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 10 innings over four relief appearances, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him head to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin his time with his new club.

Clase picked up the save with a clean ninth inning Sunday against the Marlins.

Clase coaxed three straight groundouts on just six pitches to wrap up a 7-4 win over Miami. Clase now has seven saves on the year, tied for second-most in the league, converting all but one opportunity. He's 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB through 12 innings this season.

Abreu picked up the save Sunday during a 5-2 win over Atlanta, recording one walk and one strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning.

Houston took a 5-2 lead in the top of the ninth, and with Ryan Pressly unavailable again, the Astros turned to Abreu for a second straight day. He proceeded to walk the leadoff hitter -- Austin Riley -- and hit the next batter -- Ozzie Albies -- but induced a double play by Eddie Rosario and struck out Sam Hilliard to end the game. It was Abreu's second save in three tries, and he currently has a 0.73 ERA with a 19:6 K:BB through 12.1 innings.

Managar Dusty Baker said after Sunday's 5-2 win over Atlanta that Pressly wasn't available to pitch, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 34-year-old threw 22 pitches and picked up his first save of the season Friday in Atlanta, so it's curious Bryan Abreu was called upon in save situations both Saturday and Sunday. Pressly remains the favorite for saves going forward and is assumed to be healthy since Baker didn't mention an injury, but the right-hander now has just one of Houston's five saves this season.

Brash (2-2) got the win against the Cardinals on Saturday, firing a scoreless seventh inning during which he hit a batter and struck out the side.

Brash's occasional control issues surfaced when he plunked Alec Burleson during what would have otherwise been a perfect inning. Beyond that blip, the right-hander was stellar while picking up his second win, notably erasing the trio of Lars Nootbaar, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado on swinging strikeouts. The clean frame marked Brash's fourth scoreless effort in his last five trips to the mound and came in the wake of an ugly one-inning appearance against the Brewers on Wednesday when he allowed three earned runs.

Vest tossed two scoreless innings of relief with four strikeouts in Saturday's loss to the Orioles.

Vest was recalled from Triple-A Toledo earlier in the day and immediately looked comfortable in the MLB bullpen. The righty posted a 4.00 ERA with a 63:22 K:BB over 63 innings last season for the Tigers, so it was a bit of a surprise that he didn't make the Opening Day roster despite some struggles in spring training. He could stick around now, however, with Detroit lacking in established bullpen options.

Tate (forearm) said Sunday that he'll need to make 5-to-6 minor-league rehab appearances before he's able to return from the 15-day injured list, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Tate is set to begin his rehab assignment Tuesday with Single-A Aberdeen. In addition to making five or six appearances before being activated, Tate added that he'll need to pitch on consecutive days for the Orioles to feel comfortable about his availability out of the big-league bullpen. He should have a chance to return from the IL in early May if he experiences no setbacks in his recovery from a right flexor strain.

Sborz allowed one run on one hit and struck out four over two innings in Saturday's 18-3 win over the Athletics.

He was also part of a rarity, getting an at-bat against a position player -- he struck out looking against Oakland third baseman Jace Peterson. If it's a blowout, Sborz is likely to make an appearance. He entered Saturday with Texas leading by 14. Since coming off the injured list April 14, the right-hander has made four appearances, all in mop-up situations with the Rangers winning or losing by a significant margin.

The Twins optioned Woods Richardson to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

After starter Kenta Maeda lasted just two innings in Friday's 3-2 loss to Washington in the series opener while battling an ankle injury, the Twins summoned Woods Richardson from Triple-A on Saturday to give a fresh arm to an overtaxed bullpen. The 22-year-old right-hander ended up serving as an innings eater in relief in the Twins' 10-4 loss Saturday, covering 4.2 frames and striking out five but giving up five earned runs on seven hits and three walks. Woods Richardson will head back to St. Paul a day later with the Twins needing to open up a roster spot for Sunday's starter, Bailey Ober, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Fujinami (0-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing eight runs on seven hits and three walks over 2.1 innings against Texas. He struck out two.

Fujinami has gotten off to a brutal start this season, posting a 14.40 ERA and 2.07 WHIP over four appearances. The rookie has plenty of time to right the ship, but he cannot be trusted in fantasy until he strings together some quality starts. The right-hander is tentatively slated to face the Angels on the road in his next appearance.