MLB Player News

The Mariners optioned Castano to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Castano joined the Mariners' bullpen after being called up May 23 and made his MLB debut May 28. It was the lone appearance he made as he allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks across three innings of relief. As a corresponding move Thursday, Casey Lawrence was selected from Triple-A Tacoma

The Mariners selected Lawrence from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Lawrence was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on May 23 after losing his roster spot two days prior. He did not make any appearances for Tacoma after being sent down as his last appearance was May 20 for the Mariners against the White Sox. In that outing, the 37-year-old tossed five innings in which he allowed an earned run on six hits. In other moves Thursday, Seattle optioned Blas Castano to Triple-A Tacoma and designated Blake Hunt for assignment.

The Guardians claimed Krook off waivers from the Athletics on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Krook was pushed off the Athletics' 40-man roster Tuesday after allowing two runs in 3.1 innings. He owns a 3.21 ERA in 14 Triple-A frames this season, however, and he'll now attempt to work his way back into the big leagues with Cleveland. Ben Lively (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room for Krook on the 40-man.

Anderson re-signed Wednesday with the Angels on a minor-league contract.

After the Angels designated him for assignment last weekend, Anderson elected free agency upon clearing waivers. He quickly linked back up with the Angels on a new minor-league deal and will presumably head back to Triple-A Salt Lake, where he had been working out of the rotation before being promoted to the big leagues May 9. Over his five appearances out of the Angels bullpen, Anderson turned in a 6.30 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB in 10 innings.

The Rays optioned Seabold to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

He'll give up his spot in the Tampa Bay bullpen to right-hander Kevin Kelly (glute), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. After getting a call-up from Durham on May 9, Seabold made just two relief appearances for the Rays and gave up an earned run on six hits and one walk over 3.2 innings.

The Rays reinstated Kelly (glute) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Tampa Bay optioned right-hander Connor Seabold to Triple-A Durham to make room in the bullpen for Kelly, who had been on the shelf since April 11 due to a left gluteal strain. Kelly proved his health during a three-appearance rehab assignment in the minors and should step into a middle-relief role for Tampa Bay.

Schultz gave up one hit and struck out four over 2.2 scoreless innings in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

Making his first career big-league start, Schultz lasted 45 pitches (28 strikes) before turning the ball over to Eric Lauer and the Blue Jays bullpen to complete a combined shutout. Schultz's 2.03 ERA through 13.1 innings with Toronto this season is a bit misleading -- he gave up four unearned runs May 25 against the Rays -- but his 17:3 K:BB and 0.98 WHIP are just as impressive. The 27-year-old rookie might head back to Triple-A Buffalo once the staff gets healthier, but Schultz is making a strong case to stick around in a long-relief or swingman role.

Lopez is slated to start Thursday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas last weekend to fill the opening in the rotation created by J.T. Ginn's (quadriceps) move to the injured list, Lopez stepped in and delivered a gem in his second start of the season for the Athletics. Though he ended up taking a loss, he limited the Phillies to one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven innings. The stellar performance will earn him at least one more start, and if Lopez can deliver another positive outing Thursday, he'll likely have a strong case for sticking around in the rotation over the struggling Gunnar Hoglund (5.13 ERA, 1.41 WHIP through five starts) once Ginn is back from the IL.

Leiter notched a save against the Angels on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless and hitless inning.

Closer Luke Weaver was unavailable for a second straight day, and after Devin Williams nearly coughed up a three-run lead while narrowly notching a save Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone went to Leiter in the ninth inning Wednesday with New York clinging to a one-run advantage. Leiter got the job done, working around a two-out walk to record the save while striking out two of the Angels' best hitters (Taylor Ward and Logan O'Hoppe). It was the second save of the season for the right-hander, with his first taking place April 9 versus Detroit. Weaver remains the clear top closer for New York, and Williams figures to be next in line when Weaver is unavailable, so Leiter probably won't have a lot more save chances this season despite his 2.28 ERA and 35:7 K:BB over 23.2 innings on the campaign.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after allowing no hits and two walks in 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Piggybacking off opener Paxton Schultz, Lauer delivered his second outing of the season with at least three innings while yielding one hit or less. Lauer hasn't worked as a traditional starter for the Blue Jays, as he's made two starts and four relief appearances, but Toronto will likely need the veteran left-hander to help eat innings one way or another until Max Scherzer (thumb) re-enters the rotation. Lauer owns a strong 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 19.2 innings, but he'll have limited fantasy appeal if he's deployed as a bulk reliever his next time out versus a red-hot Phillies offense that's averaging 5.4 runs over their last 28 games.