MLB Player News

Fisher will serve as Toronto's opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Fisher has been one of the Blue Jays' most effective high-leverage arms this season, posting a 2.62 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 34.1 innings. The Blue Jays will move him up to the first inning Saturday for what will be his fourth opener assignment of the season. Spencer Miles is likely to take over as a bulk reliever behind Fisher at some point during the first or second inning.

Adams earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Royals, allowing one run on two hits in the ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Adams was called upon with a three-run lead in the ninth inning and closed things out despite allowing a run. The 26-year-old has now converted both of his save chances this season, though he owns an unsightly 8.25 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 12 innings with the Twins.

Chapman earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees, allowing two walks while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a hit.

Chapman walked two of the first three batters he faced in the ninth inning, but he came away with his 13th save of the season after getting Jose Caballero to fly out right field and Trent Grisham to ground out to first base. Chapman has not allowed a run over his last 15.2 innings, striking out 23 batters while logging 11 saves in that span. Chapman has been dealing with a hamstring issue recently, interim manager Chad Tracy told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com after the game, but the veteran closer seems intent on pitching through the injury.

Helsley (elbow) could start a rehab assignment as early as Monday, MLB.com reports.

Helsley threw a bullpen session ahead of Friday's series opener in Toronto. If all continues go well in his recovery from right elbow inflammation, the hard-throwing right-hander appears to be on track for a mid-June return to Baltimore's bullpen. Until Helsley is back in the fold, the Orioles should continue to deploy Rico Garcia as their primary closer.

The Angels designated Anderson for assignment Friday.

It's the second time this season that Anderson has been DFA'd by the Angels, with the first instance taking place in late April. He proceeded to ink a minor-league contract to return to the Angels and his contract was selected by the big club Wednesday, but he is being booted off the big club's 40-man roster again. The move corresponds with Los Angeles selecting Samy Natera's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Whitlock (knee) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock is ready to take the next step in his recovery from left knee inflammation that led to him being placed on the 15-day injured list in late May. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy relayed that how Whitlock's knee reacts following Saturday's Triple-A game will determine whether the right-hander will need just one rehab outing before being activated from the IL.

The Athletics designated Kuhnel for assignment Friday.

The 31-year-old Kuhnel was on the mound for the Athletics' ninth-inning collapse Thursday against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on five hits across two-thirds of an inning, blowing a 6-3 lead. Kuhnel pitched to a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 25.2 innings out of the bullpen this season.

The Athletics recalled Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The team DFA'd Joel Kuhnel in a corresponding move. Alvarado pitched in 10 games out of the Athletics' bullpen earlier this season and posted an 8.38 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB across 9.2 innings. He has a 2.25 ERA and 16:4 K:BB across 12 innings with Las Vegas.

Winn (arm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Winn hasn't pitched since May 23 due to arm fatigue, but he appears ready to see game action. The right-hander has pitched to a 5.59 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 19.1 innings out of the Texas bullpen this season.

The Red Sox transferred Crochet (lat) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Boston needed the 40-man roster spot for Joe La Sorsa, and Crochet is already 40-plus days into his stay on the injured list. The move shouldn't change his outlook after he experienced a setback last week and was diagnosed with a low-grade lat strain. Crochet will be able to resume throwing once he's asymptomatic. He'll then need to build his arm back up, so Crochet could be looking at an absence into July.