MLB Player News

Magnifico was traded to the Angels and subsequently optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

This is the right-handed reliever's third team in under a month, as he was traded from Milwaukee to Baltimore in mid-April and is now on his way to the Angels. The Orioles received minor-league starting pitcher Jordan Kipper as compensation. Magnifico posted a 4.06 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 62 innings at Triple-A in 2016.

Chavez tossed a quality start Friday, holding the Astros to three runs on four hits over 6.1 innings. He walked two, struck out four and did not factor into the decision in a 7-6 loss.

The veteran starter pitched well against a powerful Astros lineup, notching his third quality start of the season. The overall results have been mediocre (4.46 ERA), but Chavez has provided some value for deep-league owners due to his ability to generate strikeouts (30 in 36.1 innings) and consistently eat up five to six innings per outing. The 33-year-old's next turn in the rotation comes against Oakland next Wednesday.

Pagan (0-1) gave up a two-run homer to Rougned Odor in the 13th inning of Friday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers, the only hit he surrendered over 2.1 innings. He also issued a walk and recorded a pair of strikeouts.

The 25-year-old has had a rough introduction to the big leagues, as he's now yielded five earned runs over 2.2 innings across his first two appearances. However, Pagan was markedly better Friday than in his Wednesday debut versus the Angels, an outing in which he gave up three earned runs and only managed to get one out. The right-hander actually provided some valuable innings for manager Scott Servais after he'd already called on six other relievers in the marathon tilt. Pagan brings some elite strikeout upside, as evidenced by his 57 whiffs over 45.1 innings across 29 appearances over parts of the last two seasons at Triple-A Tacoma.

Fulmer (3-1) went eight innings and picked up the win Friday against Oakland. He struck out nine and allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks.

Fulmer had his Thursday start against the Indians bumped back due to rain, and he took advantage of the easier matchup. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year is showing no signs of a sophomore slump, as he now has a 2.77 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through six starts. His K/9 is also up slightly, from 7.47 as a rookie to 8.08 so far in 2017. He lines up for his next start Thursday on the road against the Angels.

Boxberger (back) played catch Saturday at Tropicana Field, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Boxberger is rehabbing from a right flexor strain in his back and projected to return sometime in June, but appears to be on the right track. He figures to compete for a setup role upon his return to action.

Loup picked up his first win of the season Friday, allowing a hit and striking out one over an inning of work against the Rays.

Toronto's bullpen deployed five relievers Friday after starter Francisco Liriano failed to get out of the fourth inning. Loup was in the right place at the right time, as the Jays put up seven runs while he was the pitcher of record during the 8-4 comeback victory. Despite owning a career-worst 1.63 WHIP, Loup's managed to avoid damage to maintain a career-best 0.77 ERA.

Almonte was optioned back to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

The young prospect was brought up Friday to fill a potential vacancy left by Ian Kennedy (hamstring), but didn't make any appearances in his short stay. Almonte will return to Northwest Arkansas, where he owns a 1.85 ERA and 29:5 K:BB in five appearances (four starts) this season. Jorge Soler was reinstated from the DL in a corresponding move.

Devenski closed out the Angels on Friday, pitching a perfect 10th inning in Houston's 7-6 win to pick up his second save of the season.

Devenski got the nod after closer Ken Giles blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning. With setup man Luke Gregerson presumably available -- he'd thown 20 pitches the previous night -- manager A.J. Hinch chose Devenski to finish off the Angels, likely because Gregerson did not pitch well in his last two appearances.

Giles (1-1) was credited with the win after blowing a save chance Friday night when he allowed one run on three hits in Houston's 7-6 extra-inning victory over the Angels.

Giles entered with the bases loaded and the Astros up by four, but failed to hold the lead for the first time this season. He was able to pick up the win when the Astros posted a run in the 10th inning, so there's some solace to be had, but wins aren't why fantasy owners have Giles. Prior to Friday's blowup, Giles had allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings spanning seven appearances.

McHugh (elbow impingement) played catch Friday out to 45 feet, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports. This was the first time McHugh had played catch since being diagnosed with an elbow injury in early April.

Manager A.J. Hinch described McHugh's throwing session as part of "the infancy stage of a very long process." The plan will have McHugh throw every other day for the next week with future plans determined by how the pitcher's arm and body respond to the activity. Given the right-hander will need what amounts to a spring training-like ramp-up when McHugh eventually pitches off a mound, his return to the Astros' rotation could push out to June.