MLB Player News

Speier walked one and struck out none in two-thirds of a scoreless inning Friday versus the Athletics.

Speier had been on the COVID-19 injured list before he was activated Friday. The southpaw has now gone 4.1 scoreless innings across his last four appearances. He had started to earn the occasional chance for holds prior to his two-plus-week absence. He's posted a 2.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB in 18.2 innings overall while adding two holds and an 0-1 record in 16 outings.

Winder (shoulder) gave up one run over three innings with a walk and no strikeouts in his second rehab start Thursday for Triple-A St. Paul. It's not clear if he'll make another rehab start before being activated from the injured list, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins had indicated that Winder may need time to build up his arm strength, so another rehab outing seems likely. The right-hander posted a 3.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 29.1 innings for Minnesota prior to suffering a right shoulder impingement, and it's not yet clear whether he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him when he gets activated.

Smeltzer (3-1) allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings, taking the loss versus Arizona on Friday.

Smeltzer kept runs off the board in only the second inning, and Jordan Luplow took him deep twice in the contest. Homers have become an increasing problem for Smeltzer, who has yielded seven long balls in his last three starts after opening the campaign with no homers against in four appearances. The southpaw has a 3.52 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB across 38.1 innings overall. He's projected for a home start versus the Guardians next week.

Lopez allowed one hit over 1.1 scoreless innings Friday, striking out four and securing a save against the Rays.

Lopez coughed up a two-out single to Harold Ramirez in the ninth inning but otherwise had no issue finishing off a 1-0 victory over Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old righty is riding a 7.1-inning scoreless streak, lowering his season ERA to 0.82 through 33 frames. Lopez owns a 34:13 K:BB and he's converted 10 of his 12 save chances.

Gomez (elbow) was reinstated from the 7-day minor-league injured list Friday, Matt Kardos of MLB.com reports.

Gomez underwent elbow surgery last August and spent the first few months of the season in recovery mode. However, he'll join the rotation at High-A Hudson Valley now that he's considered fully healthy.

Abreu was designated for assignment Friday.

He has a 3.46 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and a 12:16 K:BB in 13 innings in the majors this season. Abreu recorded four walks and four outs in a single appearance April 29, and his poor control is what likely led to him losing his 40-man roster spot.

Gage was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Gage joined the major-league bullpen last week and posted a 1.80 ERA and 0.60 WHIP in five innings over four appearances with the Blue Jays. However, he'll head back to the minors after Otto Lopez was called up Friday.

Vizcaino was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Vizcaino joined the big-league roster after the Royals were forced to place several relievers on the COVID-19 injured list in late May. That means he can be sent directly back to the Triple-A level and off the 40-man roster without passing through waivers. He gave up four runs in 5.2 innings while striking out three and walking seven during his stint with the team and will exit with Gabe Speier and Matt Peacock returning from the COVID-19 injured list.

Speier was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

He made one rehab assignment appearance June 15, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Speier should work in lower-leverage situations.

Krehbiel (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Krehbiel was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation June 3. The right-hander made 22 relief appearances prior to sustaining his injury, and he picked up five holds while posting a 2.74 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 23 innings.