MLB Player News

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Though he's been one of six Twins pitchers to record a save this season and leads the club with six holds, Funderburk will wind up losing his spot in the bullpen as his control continued to slip. He has a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings but a more unsightly 1.38 WHIP and 10:13 K:BB on the season. The Twins recalled left-hander Kendry Rojas from Triple-A to bolster the bullpen.

Bradford (elbow) began throwing from 60 feet during the Rangers' most recent homestand, MLB.com reports

Bradford made one rehab start early in April but was shut down soon after. Now that he's throwing again, the Rangers are estimating he could return by late June.

Baumler (intercostal) has been shut down from his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Baumler made three appearances while on his rehab assignment but experienced a setback and hasn't pitched since April 28. It's unclear when the right-hander will restart a throwing program.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

The 28-year-old fired a scoreless inning while briefly up with the Orioles in April and will now take the roster spot of Lou Trivino, who was designated for assignment Sunday. Espada has struggled at Norfolk early this year with a 5.68 ERA and 9:12 K:BB over 12.2 innings, so he's likely to be limited to low-leverage work for Baltimore.

The Orioles designated Trivino for assignment Sunday.

Baltimore signed Trivino to a one-year deal Monday, but he's now been booted off the 40-man roster less than a week later after yielding six earned runs on six hits and three walks over three innings across two relief appearances. The 34-year-old righty is likely to clear waivers, though he'll have the option of electing free agency if he doesn't intend to stick around in the Orioles organization as bullpen depth at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Yankees optioned Castro to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Castro's stint with the big club lasted just two days, with the reliever making a lone two-inning appearance Friday. His demotion clears a spot on the active roster for Carlos Rodon (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start in Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee.

Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Royals, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The right-hander has some experience as an opener and will start Sunday's bullpen game for Detroit. Since getting called up from Triple-A Toledo in late April, Hanifee has allowed five hits with a 4:1 K:BB across 6.2 scoreless frames in four appearances.

Kay (2-1) earned the win Saturday against the Mariners after allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out five.

Kay struggled in two late-April starts with 12 earned runs allowed, but he seems to have turned things around with a 1.80 ERA in his past two outings. Kay has given up two earned runs or fewer in six of his eight starts this season, though his overall numbers remain a bit shaky with his matchup with the Mariners reducing his ERA to 4.89 and WHIP to 1.57. He is expected to make his next start on the road against the Cubs next weekend.

Beeks (2-1) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Cubs after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out one with no hits or walks allowed.

Jack Leiter tossed 4.2 scoreless innings but finished just one out short of securing the win, and Beeks was credited with it after finishing the fifth frame and pitching the sixth. Beeks, who improved to 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA, was sharp, needing just 13 pitches (nine strikes) to record four outs. This was a bounce-back effort for Beeks, as he allowed two runs in one-third of an inning against the Yankees in his previous outing last Thursday.

Garcia secured the save Saturday against Cleveland, retiring all three batters he faced with no strikeouts during the 11th inning.

The journeyman reliever nabbed his first save of the season in extra innings Saturday, which was highlighted by an impressive play by Kody Clemens at second base for the game's final out. With a 10.64 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB over 11 innings for the Mets and Twins this year, Garcia doesn't appear to be in the mix for steady high-leverage work going forward despite Saturday's showing.