The Guardians designated Parsons for assignment Friday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Spencer Howard, who was acquired via trade Friday. Parsons has posted a career 6.84 ERA over 38 appearances across parts of four major-league seasons.

The Guardians acquired Howard from the Giants on Friday in exchange for cash considerations.

The right-hander had been designated for assignment by the Giants after holding a 5.63 ERA over seven appearances -- including two starts -- in 2024. Howard doesn't have any minor-league options left, so he will go directly onto the Guardians' 26-man active roster and will presumably work in a long-relief role.

Effross (back) tossed a scoreless inning for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter.

The appearance was Effross's fifth in a rehab stint that began June 19. The righty reliever is working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in October of 2022 as well as back surgery that took place last December. Effross has tallied a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 6.1 frames in his rehab assignment thus far and is expected to be ready to return to the big-league bullpen after the All-Star break.

Wantz (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Friday.

The move will free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Keston Hiura, who'll also join the active roster Friday. Wantz was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with elbow inflammation, and there hasn't been any further updates on the injury. He won't be eligible for reinstatement until the end of August.

The Rays optioned Sterner to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Sterner was up as bullpen protection for a couple days but didn't make an appearance. Shane Baz -- who will start Friday's game against the Rangers -- will fill Sterner's roster spot.

Stanek (6-2) got the win over the Orioles on Thursday, firing a clean seventh inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Stanek entered the game a bit earlier than customary and delivered a crisp 11-pitch effort that saw him locate nine of his offerings for strikes. The hard-throwing right-hander then became the pitcher of record when the Mariners broke open a 2-2 tie with a five-run inning in the home half of the frame. Stanek's six victories are a career high, and the ultra-efficient outing against a dangerous offense was a welcome sight after the Twins had touched him up for two runs over one inning in his most recent appearance Sunday.

The Twins recalled Winder from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Winder has spent all of this season in the minors after recovering from a shoulder issue, having posted a 4.78 ERA and 28:8 K:BB over 26.1 innings with St. Paul. He will give the Twins a bullpen arm capable of going multiple innings.

Slaten allowed two runs on two walks and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's 6-5 extra-innings win over Miami.

Slaten managed to pick up his ninth hold of the season, but he walked the eighth- and ninth-place batters and was replaced by Brennan Bernardino, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Slaten, a Rule 5 selection who has performed well overall, has hit a rough patch of late. In his last eight outings, the right-hander has allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits (including two home runs) and four walks over 11 innings. Prior to that, Slaten owned a 2.73 ERA and walked just four batters in 29.2 innings.

Bernardino allowed two hits over one-third of an inning and was charged with his first blown save in Thursday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Marlins.

Bernardino has been exceptional as a high-leverage reliever but was unable to preserve the lead Thursday. The left-hander, who entered the game having prevented 15 of 17 inherited runners from scoring, permitted both inherited runners to score in the bottom of the eighth inning, allowing Miami to tie the game. Bernardino has a 1.17 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 30.2 innings.

Fairbanks picked up the save over the Royals on Thursday, allowing one run on one hit over one inning while striking out one.

Fairbanks entered the contest with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and retired the first two batters in succession before surrendering a solo homer to Bobby Witt. The right-hander was then able to get Vinnie Pasquantino to ground out for the final out of the game, securing his 14th save of the season. Fairbanks has now converted each of his last four save attempts, though he's also allowed a run in four of his last nine appearances.