MLB Player News

Clase allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Rays.

Since the start of June, Clase has allowed one earned run, nine hits and two walks in 24 innings, a dominant stretch even by his lofty standards. He's converted 15 saves in that span and is now 22-for-24 in save chances this year. The Guardians' closer owns a 1.28 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 44:6 K:BB in 42.1 innings overall.

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

The 23-year-old made a pair of starts ahead of the All-Star break but moved to the bullpen over the last week since Yusei Kikuchi is now back to full health. Castillo struck out one in two scoreless innings over his last two relief appearances but will head to the minors after Trent Thornton was recalled Saturday. Castillo will likely be used as a starter in the minors, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Thornton was sent down in early July but posted a 1.08 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 8.1 innings over six minor-league appearances since then. The right-hander should serve as a multi-inning reliever in the Blue Jays' bullpen after Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday.

Kowar was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Kowar was called up Wednesday, and he gave up two runs on two hits and two walks while failing to strike out a batter in one-third of an inning during Friday's game against the Yankees. He'll head back to the minors after Jonathan Heasley (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Heasley (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Saturday's start against the Yankees.

Heasley spent just under three weeks on the injured list due to right shoulder tendinitis, but he tossed 60 pitches during a rehab start at Triple-A Omaha on Sunday. He'll likely have his pitch count monitored during Saturday's matchup and will attempt to improve upon his results since he posted a 9.56 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 16 innings over his four starts leading up to his absence.

Abreu (2-0) was credited with the win against Kansas City on Friday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit.

New York trailed when Abreu entered the contest in the eighth inning, and he kept the deficit to two with a scoreless frame. The right-hander then moved into position for the win as a result of the Yankees exploding for eight runs in the bottom of the frame. Since latching on with the Yankees on June 21, Abreu has allowed only two runs over 15.1 innings while posting a 16:4 K:BB.

Beeks (lower leg) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Beeks landed on the injured list just before the All-Star break due to right lower leg tightness, but he'll rejoin the Rays' bullpen following a minimal IL stint. Over four appearances in July, the southpaw has posted a 1.35 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 6.2 innings.

Barnes (shoulder) might be activated next week, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Barnes is rehabbing with Double-A Portland and appeared for the Sea Dogs on Friday, the second of back-to-back outings for the right-hander. He hit 96 mph during Thursday's appearance and could provide a boost to Boston's bullpen, which ranks 25th in ERA (4.25) and leads the majors in blown saves (21).

Soto pitched a clean ninth inning with one strikeout to record the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Detroit's All-Star closer continued his steady play, as he now has 19 saves in 21 chances this season to go along with a 2.36 ERA. Soto is sporting an even better 0.96 ERA across his past 10 appearances. The lefty has a firm grip on closing duties and should be a solid fantasy asset the rest of the way.

Tate (2-3) allowed two hits in 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Reds.

Tate extended his scoreless streak to 8.1 innings over his last eight appearances, and the Orioles' four-run rally in the ninth inning put him in line for the win -- his first since July 8 and just his second of the year. The right-hander has a 2.22 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB across 48.2 innings overall while adding two saves and 12 holds as a high-leverage option, though he remains a step or two below closer Jorge Lopez in the bullpen hierarchy.