MLB Player News

Topa (knee) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to throw again Saturday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Topa has been out all season with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee and had a platelet-rich plasma injection in mid-May. He still will likely need to throw several more bullpen sessions before he can go out on a rehab assignment.

Stewart (shoulder) threw 20 pitches to live hitters before Friday night's game, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The right-hander has been on the shelf with shoulder tendinitis since early May. He's had several bullpen sessions in the past few weeks, and the advancement to live hitters could be an indication he's ready for a rehab assignment. However, no schedule for the next step of his comeback has been announced.

Kimbrel picked up the save in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Athletics. He pitched a clean inning with two strikeouts.

The veteran closer extended his scoreless appearances streak to six with this performance, promptly retiring the side on a tidy 10 pitches. Kimbrel stands fourth all-time in career saves with 439, needing 40 more to pass Lee Smith for third. The Baltimore right-hander has been nearly untouchable since May 10, firing a 0.45 ERA, 0.25 WHIP and 29:5 K:BB across 20 innings while securing 14 saves.

Hader picked up a save in Friday's 13-12 win against the Twins. He faced two batters, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one.

Hader likely didn't expect to enter Friday's contest as the Astros held a 13-5 lead entering the ninth. However, Luis Contreras allowed three runs and then loaded the bases, forcing the call to the Houston closer. Hader allowed a grand slam to Carlos Correa to bring the Twins within one before fanning Manuel Margot for his 15th save of the campaign. The Houston southpaw now sports a 3.92 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 61:11 K:BB across 39 total innings while going 15-for-16 in save chances.

Dubin did not factor into the decision in Friday's 13-12 win over Minnesota, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

Dubin made his second consecutive start and failed to escape the third inning as the Twins collected five hits -- including two for extra bases -- off the Houston right-hander. The 28-year-old now owns a 5.40 ERA and 29:15 K:BB across 28.1 total innings on the season. Jake Bloss (shoulder) is scheduled for a rehab appearance at Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend and will likely step into the rotation for Dubin next week.

Yates struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over Tampa Bay on Friday.

Yates tossed 11 of 16 pitches for strikes as he cruised through the Rays' 9-1-2 hitters for the save. He's converted each of his 12 save chances this season, though Friday's was his first since June 19. The veteran righty owns a stifling 0.89 ERA with a 43:14 K:BB through 30.1 innings.

Garcia (elbow) will pitch for Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Garcia isn't expected to require more than two rehab appearances, with Saturday's outing his first with Buffalo. With Jordan Romano (elbow) out for the foreseeable future, Garcia could step into the Blue Jays' closing role once activated from the IL.

The Blue Jays recalled Burr from Triple-A Buffalo ahead of Friday's game against the Mariners.

Burr appeared in three games for the Blue Jays out of the bullpen before being optioned to Buffalo on June 21, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out three across 3.2 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander holds a 2.16 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 16.2 innings in the minors this season. To make room for Burr on the 26-man roster, right-hander Jose Cuas was optioned to Triple-A.

The Blue Jays optioned Cuas to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Cuas was called up Saturday, and he will now return to Buffalo after allowing three runs in two innings. Ryan Burr will take Cuas' place on the active roster.

The Red Sox placed Martin on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Martin had given no indication of injury in his performance, having turned in five straight scoreless appearances. Manager Alex Cora said Friday that he doesn't believe Martin's injury is serious, although there's no timetable for the reliever's return at this juncture. Cam Booser will absorb Martin's spot in Boston's bullpen.