MLB Player News

Estevez earned the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Rangers after recording no strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.

For the second night in a row, Estevez was brought in for the ninth to protect a three-run lead, and he needed only 11 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side. He has converted 16 of his last 17 save opportunities, and his 21 saves is tied with Robert Suarez for most in the majors. Estevez sports a 1.93 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 32.2 innings this season.

The Athletics voided Holman's optional assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday and placed him on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder.

The A's originally optioned Holman to Triple-A on Monday after he had posted a 5.09 ERA in 23 innings with the major-league club. However, the team uncovered a shoulder injury Thursday and will keep him around to rehab with the big-league squad. He'll be eligible to return from the IL beginning July 1, though he may still be sent down to the minors whenever he's fully healthy.

The Athletics recalled Maldonado from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Maldonado was relegated to the minors at the end of May after giving up eight earned runs over six innings. Since then, he's allowed just two runs in 6.1 frames with the Aviators -- good enough to earn another chance in the Athletics' bullpen. Osvaldo Bido was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Pirates, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Keider Montero is likely to absorb the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen. It will be the fourth opener assignment this season for Holton, who has allowed two runs with a 5:0 K:BB over four innings in his first three tries.

The Rays optioned Sulser to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Sulser made three appearances after being recalled from Triple-A last week, allowing one earned run while striking out four batters over 2.1 frames. He owns a 3.21 ERA through 14 MLB innings this season but will head back to the minors in favor of Connor Seabold, who will give the team another fresh arm to work with.

The Rays recalled Seabold from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Since being optioned to the minors in late May, Seabold has given up six runs while striking out eight batters and walking nine across nine innings. Despite his recent struggles, he'll return to Tampa to provide the Rays with a fresh bullpen arm, replacing Cole Sulser.

Martin was unavailable to pitch in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Royals due to back stiffness, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's uncertain whether the back issue has cleared up enough for Martin to be available out of the bullpen Thursday. Martin has made three scoreless appearances since returning from a shoulder injury but has not pitched since last Friday.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Weaver (hamstring) could be activated from the 15-day injured list prior to Friday's game versus the Orioles, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Weaver bounced back well from a live batting practice session Tuesday and appears in line to return to action this weekend after missing less than three weeks with a strained left hamstring. The right-hander was originally projected to miss 4-to-6 weeks due to the injury, so he's seemingly recovered more quickly than anticipated. Weaver had been serving as the Yankees' closer when he got hurt, but he could return in a setup role with Devin Williams pitching well of late in the ninth inning.

Horn (elbow) struck out a batter and worked around two walks in a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday for Triple-A Toledo after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list.

Horn missed just under a month of action for the Triple-A club while he recovered from left elbow inflammation. The 27-year-old southpaw holds a spot on the Tigers' 40-man roster and previously made one relief appearance for the big club in April, but he'll likely stick around in Toledo for the foreseeable future.

The Tigers recalled Smith from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Smith will serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Pirates and will be available for both contests of the twin bill. The 25-year-old has made two relief appearances for the Tigers this season, allowing two runs over three innings.