MLB Player News

Hader struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-0 win over the Mariners.

Hader got through the middle of the Mariners' order on a tidy 11 pitches (seven strikes) to earn his 19th save of the campaign. This was his fourth straight scoreless outing, an improvement on a stretch in which he allowed a run in four of six appearances from June 25 to July 7. The closer is at a 3.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 68:12 K:BB through 43 innings this season.

Otanez (forearm) pitched a perfect inning and struck out one in Friday's 13-3 win over the Angels.

Otanez was struck in the right forearm by a line drive during his most recent appearance last Saturday versus Philadelphia, but he ended up missing little action thanks to the All-Star break. He has pitched in five games in the majors this season, allowing three runs and posting a 7:5 K:BB over 4.2 innings in a low-leverage role.

Holton picked up his third save of the year in Friday's 5-4 win against the Blue Jays, pitching a clean inning with no strikeouts.

The 28-year-old southpaw required only 10 pitches to safely lock up his fourth career save while facing the 6-7-8 hitters in the Toronto lineup. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch was playing matchups in this game as the Tigers' usual closer, Jason Foley, pitched against the heart of the Blue Jays' order in the eighth inning. However, Holton may see more save chances in the future, as he's been solid since May 25, going 3-for-3 in save opportunities while pitching to a 2.70 ERA across 26.2 innings.

The Mariners reinstated Speier (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

A left rotator cuff strain sent Speier to the injured list in the beginning of June, and he'll now return to the Mariners' bullpen after throwing two shutout innings during his rehab assignment. The 29-year-old reliever posted a 6.06 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 16.1 frames before getting hurt, and he'll likely be limited to middle relief. Mike Baumann was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

The White Sox recalled Wilson from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Wilson will be back with the White Sox after being optioned July 8, supplying some bullpen depth with Michael Soroka (shoulder) moving to the injured list. Wilson owns a 3.46 ERA across 26.0 innings with the White Sox this season.

The White Sox placed Soroka on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to July 16, due to a right shoulder strain.

The right-hander suffered the injury during the final game before the All-Star break Sunday. Soroka will be eligible for reinstatement July 31, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined.

Mata (lat) was returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Friday after experiencing right elbow inflammation during an appearance Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sunday's rehab outing was expected to be Mata's last before being reinstated from the IL, but his return date is now uncertain. It would be surprising to see Mata back before the end of July.

The Blue Jays optioned Pop to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Pop was knocked around for three runs (two earned) over an inning of work in his final appearance before the All-Star break and holds a 5.90 ERA in 29 relief frames this season. The Blue Jays have recalled Erik Swanson and also reinstated Yimi Garcia from the injured list to supplement their bullpen.

The Blue Jays activated Garcia (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Garcia has been sidelined since mid-June with right elbow ulnar neuritis and dealt with some neck stiffness during a brief rehab assignment. He's feeling good now, however, and should immediately be thrown back into the late-inning mix for the Blue Jays, perhaps even as the team's closer. Garcia boasts a 2.57 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB over 28 innings this season.

The Blue Jays recalled Swanson from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Swanson's first 12 appearances at Buffalo didn't go well, as he was tagged for 22 runs (17 earned) over 10 innings. He had been better lately though, yielding two runs with a 5:1 K:BB over his last 5.1 frames. Swanson likely won't see high-leverage work right away, but he could find himself in a prominent role if the Blue Jays ship out relievers like Yimi Garcia and Trevor Richards before the trade deadline.