MLB Player News

The Twins sent Rojas (elbow) to Triple-A St. Paul this week to begin a rehab assignment, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.

Rojas has been shelved since late May with left elbow inflammation, but after completing a 30-pitch live batting practice session over the weekend, he's been cleared to start pitching in rehab games. How long Rojas' rehab assignment lasts could depend on what role the Twins have planned for him when he returns. He's made one start for Minnesota this season and has gone multiple innings in all four of his relief appearances.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Vargas (lat) recently began a throwing program and could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Zac Hereth of 710 AM Seattle Sports reports.

Vargas has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a right lat strain, which he sustained in spring training. Even though Vargas projects to serve as a middle reliever and won't need to get stretched out for more than an inning or two, the Mariners are content to have him move through his throwing program slowly. A more definitive target date for his return should become available once he's ready to head out on a rehab assignment.

Gaddis (1-2) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Brewers after allowing a run and a hit over one inning of work. He didn't record a strikeout.

Gaddis has been a reliable bullpen arm for the Guardians all season long, but he was tagged with the loss in this one after giving up the game-winning homer to Garrett Mitchell in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gaddis has allowed runs in two of hs last four outings, but he should remain a top setup option in Cleveland's bullpen. Over his last 13 appearances and 12.2 innings, Gaddis has a 1.42 ERA and 0.87 WHIP while recording eight holds and a save.

Varland gave up a hit and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 6-1 win over the Red Sox. He struck out three.

The right-hander fanned Mickey Gasper to end the eighth inning with the Blue Jays ahead 4-1 before they tacked on insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Varland has yet to blow a save chance this season, and while he's been showing some signs of fatigue lately after appearing in 35 of Toronto's first 73 games, he still sports a 3.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB over eight innings in June. His brother Gus also notched a save for the Nationals on Tuesday, making them the fourth set of brothers in MLB history to pick up saves on the same day, with Edwin Diaz and Alexis Diaz having most recently accomplished the feat May 17, 2022.

Perkins allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five-plus innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The A's staked Perkins to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, and he limited the Pirates to just one run through five frames. However, the right-hander began the sixth by serving up a solo homer to Bryan Reynolds followed by a Ryan O'Hearn double before being pulled. O'Hearn eventually came around to score, and a late Pittsburgh comeback removed Perkins from factoring into the decision. The plus side is that Perkins completed five frames for the first time this season, and he reached 85 pitches for the second straight start. It hasn't been the smoothest of transitions for Perkins after he worked out of the bullpen until the beginning of June, but Tuesday's outing was at least a step in the right direction.

Yarbrough earned the save Tuesday against the White Sox, allowing one hit while striking out three over three scoreless innings

Yarbrough entered in the seventh inning after Gerrit Cole delivered six innings of two-run ball and handed him a comfortable nine-run lead. The veteran left-hander made quick work of Chicago's lineup, tossing 24 of his 36 pitches for strikes across three scoreless frames. The save was his second of the season, and both have come via three-inning outings. Yarbrough owns a 3.08 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 26.1 innings. Given his role as a middle reliever, he shouldn't see many more save opportunities for New York.

Hader picked up a save against the Tigers on Tuesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.

Hader unsurprisingly got the call for the top of the ninth inning with Houston up by two runs. The left-hander allowed a leadoff single to bring the tying run to the plate, but he retired the next three batters he faced to close things out. Hader is now a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities this season, and he's yet to give up a run while compiling an 8:1 K:BB over six innings spanning six appearances.

Munoz allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Orioles.

Munoz recently battled back tightness following a poor outing Sunday versus the Nationals. He was cleared to pitch earlier Tuesday and converted his 11th save of the season with 17 pitches (13 strikes). The right-hander has had a poor season with a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB through 25.1 innings, which also includes five blown saves. However, his inconsistent performance hasn't cost him the closer job yet, and that's unlikely to change immediately since Matt Brash (lat) landed on the injured list last week. If Munoz hits another rough patch, Jose Ferrer, Gabe Speier or Eduard Bazardo would likely be candidates to challenge for save chances.

Criswell was diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus pectoral strain Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Criswell initially landed on the injured list last Tuesday with a shoulder strain, but further testing determined the issue to be in his pec. He's scheduled to undergo another MRI in 3-to-4 weeks, at which point he may be cleared to begin a throwing program. If all goes according to plan, the Mariners expect to activate the 29-year-old reliever sometime around the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Hiraldo (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Hiraldo has slowly been working his way back from right shoulder inflammation, which has sidelined him since early April. The right-hander resumed throwing off a mound in early June, and Friday's session will be a significant step forward if he's able to complete the session unscathed. Hiraldo will likely require multiple outings during a minor-league rehab assignment in order to get back up to speed, but he could return to the major-league roster before the end of the month.