MLB Player News

The Astros selected Contreras' contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After several years in the Brewers organization, Contreras joined the Astros on a minor-league deal last winter. The right-hander has put up impressive numbers at Triple-A -- he owns a 1.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB in 19.1 innings this season -- and it looks like he will get a chance to make his major-league debut in the coming days. He replaces Nick Hernandez in the Houston bullpen.

The Athletics called up Basso from Triple-A Las Vegas to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Twins, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Basso will provide depth to the Oakland bullpen, but it will likely be only a one-day stint in the big leagues. The lefty has struggled in the harsh pitching environments of the Pacific Coast League, allowing 18 runs in 21.1 innings since advancing from Double-A Midland earlier this season.

Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

No corresponding move was announced, but the Astros are expected to have a fresh arm in the clubhouse soon to replace Hernandez in the bullpen. Hernandez worked 3.2 innings in relief of Spencer Arrighetti on Saturday, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five. He should get another big-league opportunity before long.

Jansen pitched 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Saturday's 8-4 win over the Yankees.

Greg Weissert was shaky in the eighth inning, but Jansen was able to get the last out of the frame with runners on the corners. The Red Sox added some insurance in the bottom of the eighth, and Jansen slammed the door in the ninth. The right-hander is up to 11 saves this season, though he has picked up just two of them over four appearances in June. For the season, he's been reliable with a 2.74 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB over 23 innings.

Stanek allowed a hit but was not charged with a run over one-third of an inning, earning the save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Rangers.

Eduard Bazardo struggled in the ninth inning after being brought in with a six-run lead. He gave up three runs and Stanek allowed one inherited runner to score before getting Corey Seager on a groundout to end the contest. Stanek is gaining an increasingly notable role in the Mariners' bullpen, having earned four saves over his last six appearances, though he likely got this opportunity because Andres Munoz had pitched the last two days. Stanek is up to seven saves with a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB over 27 innings. At this point, the Mariners' closer situation should be considered a committee between Stanek and Munoz, with the latter likely to receive assignments in the highest-leverage spots.

Estevez struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in a 4-3 win over the Giants on Saturday.

Called upon in the ninth inning for the second night in a row, Estevez needed just 12 pitches to secure his 12th save of the season. Estevez has not allowed a baserunner in five June appearances and has now converted six consecutive save opportunities dating back to May 20. On the season, Estevez is 12-for-15 in save chances with a 3.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 22:3 K:BB in 22 innings.

Francis (3-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing four hits over four scoreless relief innings in a 5-0 victory over the Guardians. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander was the fourth Toronto pitcher into the game, but he handled the bulk-relief role with aplomb, firing 44 of 68 pitches for strikes. Francis has tossed eight scoreless innings over his last two appearances, but with Yariel Rodriguez (back) close to coming off the 15-day injured list, Francis likely won't be in line for a full-time appointment to the rotation. Since a tough beginning to the season as a starter, Francis has posted a 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB through 17.2 innings over his last six outings sandwiched around an IL stint of his own due to forearm tendinitis.

Lange was removed from an appearance at Triple-A Toledo on Friday due to an upper-body injury, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Lange made the Tigers' Opening Day roster and owned a 4.34 ERA in 18.2 innings before being sent to Toledo. He signaled to the dugout immediately after throwing a pitch Saturday and was grabbing at his side. Lange underwent an MRI on Saturday, and while the Tigers have yet to reveal the results of the test, early indications are that Lange sustained a severe injury.

Effross (back) has been throwing to live hitters for several weeks and is getting close to kicking off a minor-league rehab assignment, per MLB.com.

Effross underwent Tommy John surgery in October of 2022 and then had back surgery last December. Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently stated that the righty reliever is responding well to his throwing sessions, and it appears that he could begin a rehab stint soon, though Boone didn't indicate an exact date. When Effross is ready to return to the big club, he'll strengthen a bullpen unit that currently ranks third in the majors in team ERA.

Cisnero (shoulder) restarted a throwing program Monday, MLB.com reports.

Cisnero has been out of action since April 27, and he landed on the 10-day injured list due to shoulder discomfort the following day. The right-handed reliever began a throwing program May 17 but was subsequently shut down after experiencing lower-back tightness. Cisnero was eventually transferred to the 60-day injured list, so he's not eligible to return until late June, though there's a good chance he'll remain out longer than that.