MLB Player News

Hoffman (4-4) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 6-5 to the Orioles, coughing up five runs on three hits and two walks in only one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

After Louis Varland got the call in the eighth inning to face Baltimore's 2-3-4 hitters and protect a 4-1 lead, Toronto tacked on another run in the top of the ninth before handing the ball to Hoffman. He struck out Samuel Basallo to begin the frame but then unraveled after plunking Coby Mayo, with the final two runs on his ledger coming after he'd been replaced by Connor Seabold. After six straight scoreless appearances that included two wins, two saves and a hold, Hoffman seems no more trustworthy in high-leverage spots than he did when he was removed from the closer role in late April. Following Saturday's disaster, he sits with a 6.31 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB through 25.2 innings on the season.

Miles will serve as the Blue Jays' starter for Sunday's series finale against the Orioles, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

With the Blue Jays' rotation hit by the injury bug, manager John Schneider has utilized Miles as a bulk reliever after an opener of late. However, Miles will operate as Toronto's starter for Sunday's contest, his first start since May 10 against the Angels and second of the season. He sports a 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB across 33.1 innings this season and has yielded just one earned run over his last four outings (15.1 frames).

The Athletics recalled Kelly from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

With Luis Severino (shoulder) headed for the injured list, Kelly will return to the majors to provide the big club with some additional bullpen depth. Since being demoted to Triple-A in early April, the 33-year-old righty has posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 14.2 innings. He'll likely be limited to low-leverage work as long as he's with the A's.

Dominguez struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Saturday to record his first hold of the season in a 7-1 win over the Tigers.

After being used in the top of the ninth inning of a tie game Friday, Dominguez was brought back Saturday with the White Sox up 4-1 and Detroit's 2-3-4 hitters coming to the plate. The right-hander got the job done on 15 pitches (eight strikes), and the White Sox then added some insurance runs before letting Trevor Richards finish the game with a big lead. Dominguez has produced four straight scoreless appearances, and on the season he sports a 3.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB through 22.2 innings while converting 11 of 14 save opportunities.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Saturday that Avila will start Monday's game against the Reds, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

With Cole Ragans (elbow) set to spend more time on the 15-day injured list than the Royals originally expected following a setback, Kansas City will turn to Avila to temporarily fill the fifth spot in the rotation. The 24-year-old righty struggled to find his footing in the majors early in the season but has settled in as of late, posting a 3.14 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 14.1 frames since the beginning of May. He likely won't be able to handle a full starter's workload Monday after throwing just 67 pitches over three frames during his last appearance Tuesday against the Yankees, and he'll also be tasked with taking on a Reds lineup that's posted a .742 OPS across its last 10 games.

Helsley (elbow) threw 15-to-20 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday and may be nearing a minor-league rehab assignment, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Helsley resumed a throwing program by playing catch in mid-May, and he's now progressed to throwing off a mound. The veteran reliever has been on the shelf for over four weeks due to right elbow inflammation, so he'll presumably need multiple rehab outings before being activated. Helsley went 7-for-7 in save chances before getting hurt, and he's fully expected to retake the Orioles' closer role upon his return.

Toronto designated Voth for assignment Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Voth was brought up to the big-league roster Wednesday and gave up five runs on five hits and four walks over 3.1 innings in bulk relief Friday. He's subsequently lost his place on the the 40-man roster in favor of Hayden Juenger, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday in a corresponding transaction.

The Rays optioned Bigge to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

The 27-year-old will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room in the bullpen for Cole Sulser (back), who returned from the injured list Saturday. Bigge owns a 6.98 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 19.1 innings with the Rays this season and gave up three earned runs without recording an out during his last appearance Friday.

The Rays reinstated Sulser (back) from the injured list Saturday.

Sulser didn't play in any rehab games while recovering from a lower-back strain, but he has been facing live hitters over the past few days and will now rejoin the Rays' bullpen following a minimum-length IL stay. The 36-year-old righty will presumably reclaim a setup role after posting a 3.68 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 22 innings on the year. Hunter Bigge was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The White Sox transferred Leasure (forearm) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Leasure landed on the injured list Friday with a right flexor strain and will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. He isn't expected to be activated until the second half of the season, so the White Sox will stash him away on the 60-day IL and give his 40-man spot to Jacob Gonzalez, who joined the big club Saturday.