MLB Player News
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Freddy Tarnok RP | MIA
Athletics' Freddy Tarnok: Gives up four runs in rehab outing
Tarnok (hip) covered 1.2 innings and gave up four earned runs on one hit and two walks in his latest rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.
Tarnok has worked as a starter for most of his minor-league career and in his brief time in the big leagues, but Oakland may be preparing him for a relief role upon his return from the 60-day injured list. The 25-year-old righty -- who has been on the shelf all season while recovering from August surgery on his right hip -- has been deployed out of Las Vegas' bullpen in each of his last four rehab appearances. He hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of those appearances and owns a 13.50 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over his five total rehab outings, so Tarnok looks like he'll need more time to iron out the kinks during his rehab assignment before he becomes a realistic option for the Oakland pitching staff in any capacity.
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Mitch Spence SP | KC
Athletics' Mitch Spence: Getting another turn in rotation
Spence will start Tuesday's game against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Spence will make a third consecutive start for the A's after opening the season as a long reliever. Spence has lasted 4.2 innings and 3.0 innings across his first two starts, yielding three runs and striking out eight over that stretch. He's thrown 77 and 70 pitches during those two outings, respectively, and shouldn't be a viable fantasy option in most formats.
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Kaleb Ort RP | LAA
Astros' Kaleb Ort: Claimed by Houston
Ort was claimed off waivers by the Astros and optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Ort was acquired by the Orioles in February but struggled to a 12.08 ERA in 14 outings at Triple-A Norfolk, which led to him being removed from the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old made 21 appearances for the Red Sox last season and posted a 6.26 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 23 innings, and he should serve as organizational depth for the Astros.
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Justin Topa RP | MIN
Twins' Justin Topa: Shifts to 60-day IL
The Twins transferred Topa from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday with left patellar tendinitis.
The right-hander was diagnosed with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee in mid-May and isn't expected to resume throwing for another month, so a move to the 60-day IL isn't much of a surprise. Topa was a key bullpen piece for Seattle last season with a 2.61 ERA and 24 holds in 75 appearances, but he's been sidelined by knee issues since late in spring training and won't be debuting for Minnesota until midseason, at least.
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Diego Castillo RP | COL
Twins' Diego Castillo: Added to big-league roster
The Twins selected Castillo's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Castillo's arrival with the big club was delayed a day by travel issues, but he'll be in its bullpen for Tuesday's contest against the Royals. The 30-year-old right-hander earned a promotion after posting a 2.50 ERA and 22:6 K:BB over 18 innings with St. Paul.
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Erik Swanson RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Collects fifth hold
Swanson gave up a run on two hits in one-third of an inning Monday to record his fifth hold of the season in a 5-1 win over the White Sox.
The right-hander served up a solo shot to Gavin Sheets, the fifth homer Swanson has given up in only 13.2 innings this season. He still carries a 9.22 ERA, but most of that damage came early in the season -- over his last nine appearances, Swanson has a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB in 7.2 innings. Monday's hold was his first in May, and he appears to be close to regaining a regular spot in the Blue Jays' high-leverage crew.
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Andres Munoz RP | SEA
Mariners' Andres Munoz: Registers 11th save
Munoz earned a save against the Astros on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.
Munoz had just a one-run lead to work with when he came into the game in the ninth inning, but he made things look easy with a perfect frame. The right-hander now was nine straight successful save conversions since blowing his lone save of the season against Colorado on April 21. Munoz has given up just one earned run over his past 14 appearances and has recorded an impressive 21:2 K:BB across 16 innings during that span.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Twins' Jhoan Duran: Secures seventh save
Duran picked up the save Monday against Kansas City. He pitched one-third of an inning with no strikeouts, allowing one unearned run on two hits.
Duran entered to collect the last out with runners on second and third and a four-run lead. The Twins reliever barely survived as a hit-by-pitch, two hits and a fielding error allowed three runs to cross. However, after all that chaos, Duran promptly retired Bobby Witt via a one-pitch groundout with runners on second and third to walk away victorious. The flamethrowing righty has secured the last four Minnesota saves, posting a 2.70 ERA and 3:1 K:BB over 3.1 innings during that span.
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Alex Speas RP | MIN
Astros' Alex Speas: Recalled by Houston
The Astros recalled Speas from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
The move comes with Houston placing right-hander Cristian Javier on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm discomfort. After the Athletics designated Speas for assignment May 8, he was picked up by the Astros two days later. Since then, the right-hander has appeared in four games with Triple-A Sugar Land, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over three innings. Speas will provide the Astros right-handed depth out of the bullpen.