MLB Player News

The Twins reinstated Rojas (triceps) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Even though Rojas was touched up for five earned runs in 1.1 innings during his lone rehab appearance for Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, the Twins came away pleased enough with his velocity and command to bring him back from the IL. The lefty had made one start and covered at least three innings in three of his five appearances for Minnesota prior to landing on the shelf May 29 due to triceps inflammation. He'll likely fill a versatile relief role rather than immediately displacing Mike Paredes at the back end of the rotation.

Minnesota designated Lawrence for assignment Sunday.

The Twins dropped Lawrence from the 40-man roster to make room in the big-league bullpen for left-hander Kendry Rojas (triceps), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. After the Twins acquired him from the Pirates on June 1, Lawrence made seven appearances for Minnesota and surrendered 12 earned runs on 10 hits and nine walks over six innings.

Rojas (triceps) yielded five earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one batter across 1.1 innings of relief in a rehab appearance Thursday with Triple-A St. Paul.

Rojas made his first appearance in just over three weeks, after the Twins placed him on the 15-day injured list May 29 due to left triceps inflammation. Though the 23-year-old made one start and covered three-plus innings in three of his five appearances with the Twins prior to landing on the shelf, his usage Thursday suggests that Minnesota intends to bring him back in a bullpen role.

Holton tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn a hold in Saturday's 4-1 win over the White Sox. He allowed two hits ans struck out two.

The southpaw was an effective bridge between starter Troy Melton, who allowed just one run across six solid innings, and closer Kenley Jansen. Holton lowered his ERA to 3.60 and earned his seventh hold of the season, which is tied for second on the team behind Kyle Finnegan's nine. Like he's done the past three years, Holton has been a trusted reliever for the Tigers who's capable of providing multiple innings.

Cano allowed a hit and struck out one while walking none over two-thirds of a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers.

Baltimore didn't want to go back to Ryan Helsley after the closer took a blown save Friday in just his second appearance returning from elbow inflammation. Andrew Kittredge was initially given the save opportunity, but he allowed a solo home run to Shohei Ohtani and then put Freddie Freeman aboard with a walk. Cano was next in line, and while he allowed a single and an error to let an inherited runner score, he was able to keep the lead for his first save of the season. He has been charged with just one unearned run over 6.1 innings in June, adding a 9:1 K:BB and two holds over nine outings. He's at a 2.08 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB through 26 innings with one save and six holds overall this year. Cano has also allowed only four of 20 inherited runners to score, an improvement on last year when he permitted 10 of 21 inherited runners to score.

Varland struck out two over two scoreless innings of relief to record his 15th save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Cubs. He didn't allow a hit or a walk.

With the Blue Jays ahead 8-5 in the eighth inning, Mason Fluharty loaded the bases with nobody out, forcing manager John Schneider to turn to his closer much earlier than he wanted. Varland did allow an inherited runner to score on a fielder's choice, but he escaped the jam with no further damage before working around his own throwing error in the ninth. Varland hadn't pitched since Wednesday, but his 28 pitches in this one represented his biggest workload since May 22, so Toronto will likely try to steer away from him in Sunday's contest. On the season, the right-hander sports a 0.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 57:11 K:BB through 42 innings, and he has yet to blow a save chance.

Jansen gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the White Sox. He failed to strike out a batter.

The veteran closer made things interesting by allowing the tying run to come to the plate with two outs, but Jansen got Drew Romo to fly out to center field to end the contest. Despite missing a couple weeks due to a pelvic issue, Jansen has been locked in since the beginning of May, getting scored upon in only one of his last 11 appearances while posting a 2.53 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB in 10.2 innings.

Newcomb didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's loss to the Tigers, throwing three perfect innings as the opener. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw ended up staying in the game longer than any other White Sox pitcher in what became a true bullpen day, and Newcomb needed 42 pitches (28 strikes) to retire all nine batters he faced -- his biggest workload since April 22, when he tossed 44 pitches against the Diamondbacks. There's been no indication Chicago intends to stretch Newcomb out to be a regular starter or bulk reliever, as he's been too valuable in the bullpen. Through 45.1 innings over 29 appearances (one start) this season, he's delivered a 2.58 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 44:11 K:BB with five holds and a save.

Seymour (3-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Seymour allowed two runs in the second inning and one in the fifth while logging five frames for the first time this season. He threw 57 strikes on a season-high 81 pitches and generated nine whiffs. The 27-year-old owns a 4.98 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 45:19 K:BB across 43.1 innings this season while making three starts and 26 relief appearances. If he remains in the rotation, he'll line up for a home matchup against the Royals next week.

The Athletics recalled Hartlieb from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

With Mark Leiter (hip) headed for the injured list, the A's will turn to Hartlieb to plug the hole in their bullpen. The 32-year-old righty has spent the entire season at Las Vegas, posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 33.2 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He's likely set for middle-relief work as long as he's in the majors.