MLB Player News

The Royals selected Richards' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Richards signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on May 9 after being released by the Cubs three days prior. The 32-year-old right-hander struggled with Triple-A Iowa, but he's been better out of the bullpen for Omaha, where he has a 1.69 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, two saves and an 11:5 K:BB across 10.2 innings. Richards will take the spot on the Royals' 26-man roster vacated by Jonathan Bowlan, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Erceg (back) threw live batting practice Friday and is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Erceg was placed on the injured list May 30, retroactive to May 27, making him eligible to return June 12 against the Yankees. Prior to hitting the shelf, the 30-year-old was in the midst of a strong season, recording a 1.96 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with 13 holds over 23 innings. Barring any setbacks during his rehab assignment, the right-hander should return to his setup role with the Royals in the near future.

Coulombe (forearm) tossed one scoreless inning in his first rehab outing with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Coulombe landed on the 15-day injured list May 18 due to an extensor strain in his left forearm. He was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment Friday, but the veteran southpaw may not need more work in Triple-A and could rejoin the Twins' bullpen in the coming days, per Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Coulombe hasn't given up a run across 16.2 major-league innings this season while posting a 0.60 WHIP, two saves and a 19:2 K:BB.

Little gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the eighth inning Friday to record his 11th hold of the season in a win over the Twins. He struck out one.

The 28-year-old left-hander entered the game to protect a 6-3 lead, and after he put the first two runners aboard, a Royce Lewis single brought home the first earned run off Little since April 25. Little sported a 1.00 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB in 16 innings over that stretch with a 0.00 ERA, and as the top southpaw in the Toronto bullpen, he's become one of the key setup men in front of closer Jeff Hoffman.

Fluharty struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Friday to record his fourth hold of the season in a win over the Twins.

Entering the game with one out in the fifth inning and the Blue Jays ahead 4-3, the rookie southpaw closed out the frame before fanning Matt Wallner and Brooks Lee to begin the sixth. Fluharty isn't seeing consistent high-leverage work as the second lefty in the bullpen behind Brendon Little, but he's pitched well enough to get a more prominent spot in the pecking order. Through 26.2 innings this season, he's delivered a 3.04 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB.

Sabrowski (elbow) walked one and struck out one over a hitless and scoreless inning for Double-A Akron on Friday,

Friday's rehab outing was the third for Sabrowski, who made two previous appearances for the Guardians' affiliate in the Arizona Complex League. The left-hander has walked five and struck out three in two innings while on his rehab assignment. Sabrowski's been dealing with left elbow inflammation since the start of spring training.

Miller walked one and struck out three over 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Orioles.

Miller inherited a bases-loaded, one-out situation from Tyler Ferguson in the eighth inning, but he struck out Heston Kjerstad and Jackson Holliday to escape the jam. Miller issued a walk in the ninth but had no trouble converting the save, his first since May 25. The Athletics' recent struggles have limited Miller's work lately, but he has submitted four straight scoreless outings, striking out five with one hit and two walks allowed over 4.2 innings in that stretch. For the season, the closer has converted 13 of his 15 save chances while pitching to a 4.84 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 40:12 K:BB over 22.1 innings.

Jansen struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Mariners.

Jansen has six saves and a win over his last eight appearances, allowing two runs across 8.1 innings in that span. The veteran closer had his share of shaky moments in May, but he remains a perfect 13-for-13 in save chances this season. He's done that despite a 4.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB across 20.1 innings. While chances to close have been somewhat limited for a mediocre Angels club, Jansen is getting the job done when his number is called.

Fairbanks worked a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 12th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander didn't walk or strike out a batter, instead getting two flyballs before Taylor Walls made a leaping grab on a Javier Sanoja line drive for the final out. Fairbanks has been tagged for earned runs in only one of his last 18 appearances dating back to April 23, posting a 1.04 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB through 17.1 innings over that stretch while converting nine of 10 save chances.

Williams earned the save in Friday's 9-6 win over the Red Sox, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Williams was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and worked around a hit-by-pitch to secure his second straight save since reclaiming the closer role. While his season line remains rough at a 6.08 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 30:12 K:BB across 23.2 innings, the 30-year-old has allowed runs in just three of 15 appearances since the start of May. With Luke Weaver (hamstring) sidelined for several weeks, he has a chance to reclaim the ninth-inning job for good.