MLB Player News

Mayers struck out four over 3.1 scoreless innings of long relief Saturday in the Angels' 2-1 loss to the Mariners in the first game of a doubleheader. He scattered one hit and two walks in the 69-pitch outing.

Mayers, who had converted to a starting role at Triple-A Salt Lake in late June, was summoned from the minors in advance of the twin bill. He ended up serving as a piggyback starter behind Jaime Barria, who was charged with the loss after surrendering two earned runs on three hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. With the Angels optioning Janson Junk to Triple-A on Saturday, Los Angeles will have a permanent opening in its six-man rotation this week. If neither is needed in long relief during the Angels' upcoming three-game series in Oakland, another Barria/Mayers tandem start could be on tap next weekend versus the Twins.

The Angels returned Ortega to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Ortega's stay with the big club lasted just one day after he was designated as the Angels' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Mariners. He appeared in relief in the Angels' 7-1 win in the second half of the twin bill, striking out two over a scoreless inning.

The Athletics recalled Martinez from Triple-A Las Vegas in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Giants in Oakland.

Oakland sent first baseman/designated hitter Dermis Garcia to Triple-A to clear a spot on the active roster for Martinez, who will temporarily settle in as the Athletics' No. 5 starter in the wake of Frankie Montas being dealt to the Yankees ahead of the trade deadline. Considering Martinez turned in a 6.52 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over four starts with the Athletics earlier this season and because his numbers at Triple-A over a larger sample aren't much better (5.54 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 16 starts), he'll likely need a respectable showing against San Francisco to ensure he sticks in the big-league rotation beyond Sunday. The Athletics have three other starting pitchers (Zach Logue, Jared Koenig and JP Sears) on the 40-man roster waiting in the wings at Triple-A to replace Martinez if he can't get the job done.

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

Thornton will fortify the Toronto bullpen after the Blue Jays placed left-hander Tim Mayza (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over his 27 relief appearances with the big club this season spanning 38 innings, Thornton has compiled a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB.

The Blue Jays placed Mayza (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Toronto replaced Mayza on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen with right-hander Trent Thornton, who was called up from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Mayza was diagnosed with a dislocated right shoulder following his early exit in Saturday's loss to the Twins, and though an official timeline for his return hasn't been provided, the southpaw could be in danger of missing the rest of the season. Mayza's absence now leaves the Blue Jays without a left-handed option in the bullpen.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said "there's a good chance" Strahm (wrist) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday.

Strahm was hit on the left wrist by a line drive July 12 and has slowly come back to the point of throwing. A throwing session Tuesday potentially puts him on schedule to return rejoin the Red Sox by the weekend.

The White Sox optioned Banks to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Banks' demotion comes after he was lit up for four runs (two earned) on three walks and one hit over two innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 8-0 loss to the Rangers. Since Banks wasn't going to be available to pitch in Sunday's series finale, the White Sox opted to move him off the 26-man active roster in favor of infielder Lenyn Sosa, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Oller (1-5) gave up four earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over five-plus innings to take the loss in a 7-3 defeat against the Giants on Saturday.

Oller came into the game on the heels of a six-strikeout performance, but he took a step backward by giving up four runs and striking out only one batter. The rookie right-hander got himself into trouble early by issuing three free passes in the first inning, including one that resulted in a run. He later gave up a two-run blast in the sixth inning before being pulled without recording an out in the frame. Oller's xSLG and xERA/xwOBA are in the lowest percentile of all pitchers according to Baseball Savant, and he wears an ERA of 7.63 in 13 appearances this season.

Hill (2-3) gave up one earned run on six hits and three walks while striking out six to earn the win in a 9-1 victory over the Rays on Saturday.

Hill put together the second-best start of his young career, outdueling Shane McClanahan for his second win in six starts this season. Hill doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he kept hitters off balance with a five-pitch mix that included a highly effective knuckle curve that the Rays never made contact with. However, walks are a concern for the 26-year-old right-hander. His K:BB is now 17:14 over 31.2 innings this season. Hill will look to pick up his third win in his next start, which is expected to be at the White Sox.

White (1-3) took the loss Saturday versus the Twins. He allowed three runs on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

White's Blue Jays debut was not sharp. Jorge Polanco had a couple of run-scoring hits against White, who failed to complete five frames for the first time in his last five appearances. The right-hander has a 3.86 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 49:20 K:BB through 60.2 innings across 16 appearances (11 starts) between the Blue Jays and the Dodgers this year. Assuming he stays in Toronto's rotation, he lines up for a home start versus the Guardians next week.