MLB Player News

Cano was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cano made six relief appearances for the Twins in May, and he posted a 13.50 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 7.1 innings before being sent down at the end of the month. However, the right-hander will join the active roster after Sonny Gray (pectoral) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Cano has served exclusively as a reliever in St. Paul and with the Twins this year, so it's not yet clear who will take Gray's spot in the rotation.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Alexander (elbow) will serve as a multi-inning bridge reliever once he's deemed ready to return from the 15-day injured list, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Even though Alexander looks on track to beat each of the other five starting pitchers sidelined with injuries back from the IL, the Tigers are apparently content to have younger arms like Alex Faedo, Beau Brieske and Elvin Rodriguez fill out the back end of the rotation. After Alexander gave up five runs over three innings in his first rehab start for Triple-A Toledo last weekend, Hinch said the lefty is scheduled to throw another two innings Saturday for Toledo. The Tigers then plan to have Alexander make another two-inning appearance for Toledo early next week before bringing him back from the IL.

Lambert was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Lambert served as a starter in his first two major-league appearances of the season and has pitched exclusively out of the rotation in Charlotte. However, the White Sox have their starting rotation established through this weekend, so it seems likely that the 27-year-old will operate as a long-relief option out of the bullpen for now. Over his first two big-league starts this year, Lambert posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 6.2 innings.

Poche (1-0) was charged with a blown save but earned the win after allowing an unearned run on a hit and two walks while striking out one Wednesday against the Rangers.

Poche was asked to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning, though that was quickly spoiled after he allowed a one-out single that brought home the designated runner from second base. He walked two of the next three batters he faced but escaped without any further damage. The Rays' closer situation remains ambiguous, but Poche would have three of the team's last four saves if he had converted Wednesday's opportunity successfully.

Jimenez (2-3) recorded a hold but took the loss Wednesday, coughing up four runs on two hits and two walks in only two-thirds of an inning as the A's fell 5-4 to the Astros. He struck out two.

The right-hander got the final out of the eighth inning with Oakland protecting a 3-1 lead, but Jimenez unraveled in the ninth, walking in one run before serving up a bases-loaded double to Yordan Alvarez. Jimenez has been tagged for eight runs over his last three appearances, sending his ERA soaring from 0.49 to 3.92, but the fact that no other Oakland reliever is pitching particularly well at the moment should buy him some extra time to turn things around and hang onto the closer role.

Pressly gave up a run on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his 10th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the A's.

The right-hander made things interesting after serving up an RBI double to Elvis Andrus, but Pressly was able to escape with no further damage. He hadn't been charged with an earned run in eight straight appearances heading into Wednesday, and Pressly will take a 2.77 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through 13 innings into his next outing.

King allowed one run on two hits while striking out one in one inning during Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Rays in extra innings.

King, who's pitched well recently, came on in eighth inning to protect a one-run lead after starter Jon Gray's gem of an outing. Unfortunately, King blew the save -- the second eighth-inning blown save over his last three appearances -- and the Rangers lost in extras.

Perez (4-0) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings, earning the win Wednesday over the Mariners.

Starter Kyle Bradish couldn't complete five innings, so Perez entered the game and got credit for the win. The 26-year-old reliever has earned all four of his wins and two of his four holds in his last 10 outings, and he hasn't allowed any runs in his last seven games. Overall, the southpaw has a 0.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

Pilkington (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in five shutout innings.

Pilkington hadn't shown much through his first two starts with the Guardians, but he turned in a good outing Wednesday. All of the Royals' hits in the contest were singles. Pilkington now has a 2.65 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 17 innings this season. While the walks are a little concerning, he's likely done enough to warrant staying in the rotation for another turn with Aaron Civale (glute) set to undergo a non-surgical procedure. Pilkington lines up for his next start versus the Rangers next week.

Strahm (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

The 30-year-old landed on the shelf Monday, but his placement on the COVID-19 IL was simply a precaution, allowing him to quickly rejoin the active roster. Strahm is coming off his worst outing of the season, and he was charged with a blown save and a loss Friday after giving up four runs (three earned) over one-third of an inning. That performance doubled the number of runs he's allowed this season, as he's otherwise been a reliable bullpen piece with a 1.88 ERA and 0.70 WHIP to go along with four holds and one save. Matt Barnes (shoulder) and Hansel Robles (back) have both landed on the injured list within the last week, which could put Strahm in a position to receive more save opportunities.