MLB Player News

Kolek (oblique) allowed three runs (one earned) on eight hits and no walks across 4.1 innings with Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. He struck out four.

Kolek made his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Omaha as he builds back from a Grade 1 left oblique strain suffered in spring training. The right-hander allowed his highest hit total of the rehab assignment Wednesday, though it also marked his first outing without issuing a walk. Across four starts at Triple-A, the 28-year-old owns a 2.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with a 14:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings. Kolek appears to be nearing the end of his rehab assignment and is on track to be activated soon, though he could remain at Triple-A upon activation with no clear opening in the Royals' rotation.

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

Espada will serve as the 27th man for the Orioles during their doubleheader Thursday versus the Astros. The 29-year-old hasn't been particularly sharp with Norfolk in the early going, allowing seven runs (six earned) with a 7:9 K:BB over 10 frames. Espada will likely be sent back down after Thursday's games.

The Astros activated Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bolton had been on the shelf since mid-April with mid-back inflammation, but he was cleared to join the big club ahead of Thursday's doubleheader with the Orioles after making a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend. Though he had made starts in his last two appearances with Houston prior to landing on the IL, Bolton will likely slot into the bullpen for the time being and operate as a multi-inning option.

Leiter walked one and struck out one without giving up a run over one-third of an inning, earning the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Royals.

Joel Kuhnel entered the game in relief of starter Luis Severino in the eighth inning when the Athletics were up 5-1. In the ninth, Kuhnel created some trouble and allowed a run on two hits and a sacrifice fly. Leiter was brought in and closed the door, earning his first save since April 14. Over his last six outings, Leiter has covered five innings, surrendering one run on four hits and three walks while adding six strikeouts. He's part of the closing committee, and this save has Leiter within one of Kuhnel for the team lead in saves. Leiter is at a 6.23 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 13 innings while adding three saves in five chances and one hold over 15 appearances.

Jansen (0-2) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while not retiring any batters to blow the save and take the loss Wednesday against Atlanta.

Staked to a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jansen came unraveled quickly. He walked Ozzie Albies to start the frame, then served up a walkoff home run to Matt Olson. It was Jansen's second straight blown save opportunity and his third already this year in nine chances to go along with a 6.14 ERA. The veteran's impressive MLB track record suggests he'll be given some leeway in the closer role, though he has not been overly effective so far in his first season with the Tigers.

Orze (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Wednesday as the Twins fell 5-3 to the Mariners, getting charged with three runs on two hits and two walks over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Getting the call to begin the ninth inning and protect a 3-2 lead, Orze walked the first batter he faced to set in motion another rough performance from the Minnesota bullpen. It was the righty's second blown save of the season but first to actually come in the ninth, as manager Derek Shelton continues to search for effective high-leverage options. Through 12 innings this season, Orze carries a 5.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB.

Munoz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Twins.

The Mariners were down 3-2 heading into the ninth, but a three-run rally in the top of the frame set Munoz up with the lead. The right-hander has had a couple stumbles this season, but he's been scored upon in only three of his 13 appearances, posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 12 innings while converting six of seven save chances.

Dominguez (2-3) picked up the win Wednesday, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning during a 3-2 victory over the Angels.

After the White Sox tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, Dominguez was called in for the top of the 10th and never even let the phantom runner advance from second base. The veteran righty then got rewarded when Colson Montgomery walked it off with a bases-loaded single. Dominguez has a 4.15 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB through 13 innings to begin the season and has converted seven of nine save chances.

Latz earned the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees, allowing a hit while striking out one across two scoreless innings.

Latz now has saves in back-to-back appearances, his first two of the season. The southpaw has been excellent of late, holding opponents scoreless in his last six outings (6.1 innings), allowing just two hits and no walks in that span. Latz's ERA sits at 1.08 on the year with a 0.48 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 16.2 innings as he's established himself as one of the Rangers' go-to late-inning arms. Texas' closer situation remains a firm committee, with Latz, Jakob Junis and Tyler Alexander all having recorded multiple saves while Cole Winn is also in the mix.

Brash was taken out of Wednesday's game against the Twins due to side discomfort, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash entered for the eighth inning Wednesday and threw just two pitches before departing with the training staff. The severity of the injury isn't fully clear, but the right-hander will have a team day off Thursday to aid in his recovery before the Mariners begin their next series against the Royals on Friday.