MLB Player News

Pop worked a scoreless seventh inning Thursday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Tigers.

Entering the game to protect a two-run lead, Pop needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to set down the middle of Detroit's batting order. The right-hander has been effective since his promotion in late April, posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB in 10 innings, but he could be the pitcher who gets bumped out of the big-league bullpen when Chad Green (shoulder) comes off the IL.

The Twins optioned Boushley to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

The club will announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's game against the Rangers. Boushley has yielded two runs over two relief innings during his brief time in the majors this season.

Saucedo (knee) struck out one over a scoreless inning Thursday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Tacoma.

Saucedo landed on the 15-day injured list a little over two weeks ago with a hyperextended right knee. Because he hasn't missed much time, the left-handed reliever shouldn't need more than a couple rehab appearances, setting himself up for a return within the next few days.

Kimbrel picked up the save Thursday, getting the final two outs in an 8-6 victory over the White Sox.

Jonathan Heasley stayed in the game to start the ninth inning with the O's ahead 8-2 after getting the last out in the eighth, though he would quickly run into trouble after failing to retire the first four batters he faced in the final frame. He would be relieved by Yennier Cano, but Cano allowed three inherited runners to score while getting only one out, making it an 8-6 ballgame. That's when Kimbrel came in to save the day, needing just two pitches to record a bizarre double play as Andrew Vaughn was called out for runner's interference on an infield fly. The veteran reliever has converted all three of his save attempts this month after blowing back-to-back saves to close out April. Kimbrel also hasn't allowed any hits or walks in those three appearances with five strikeouts.

Faedo allowed three runs on three hits and a walk across 1.2 innings of relief in Thursday's 9-1 loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out one.

After starting the season with a 2.25 ERA across his first 14 appearances, Faedo has allowed runs in his last three outings, and he has a 9.00 ERA during that stretch. The righty was a middling starter the last two years, and while he's looked a little better out of the bullpen, he may be regressing closer to his career 4.67 ERA. Faedo doesn't have a ton of fantasy value in his current middle-relief role, particularly given his recent struggles.

Holmes earned the save in Thursday's 5-0 win over Seattle, allowing two hits while striking out two in 1.1 innings.

He came on in relief in the eighth after Nick Burdi loaded the bases. Holmes induced a grounder off the bat of Luke Raley for the final out before working around a pair of singles in the ninth to earn his 14th save. It's a nice bounce-back effort from Holmes, after he allowed four runs in a blown save against Seattle on Monday, the first four runs he's allowed this season. Overall, the 31-year-old right-hander sports a 1.64 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB across 22 innings this year.

The Mariners claimed Salazar off waivers from the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

After pitching two scoreless innings for the Dodgers on May 15, Salazar was optioned to Triple-A and later designated for assignment. He'll once again hold a 40-man roster spot with his new club, though he will begin his tenure with the Mariners at Triple-A Tacoma. The 26-year-old right-hander has logged a 5.61 ERA and 1.78 WHIP through 33.2 innings across seven starts in the minors.

Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander will likely cover no more than an inning or two before turning the ball over to lefty Tyler Alexander, who is slated to handle the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen. Armstrong will be serving as an opener for the fourth time this season after allowing four runs (three earned) with an 8:2 K:BB over four innings in his first three starts.

The Tigers optioned Lange to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

A day after allowing four earned runs in one inning during Wednesday's loss to the Royals, Lange will be sent to Triple-A in order to get back on track. The 28-year-old owns a 4.34 ERA and 1.77 WHIP alongside a 21:17 K:BB through 18.2 innings this season, and he figures to return to Detroit's bullpen once he starts turning in promising results with Toledo. In the meantime, Mason Englert will come up from Triple-A to take Lange's place.

The Tigers recalled Englert from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Englert has put up a 2.35 ERA and 34:9 K:BB over 23 innings with Toledo this season. The 24-year-old collected a 5.46 ERA across 31 appearances for the Tigers last year. He should operate in low-leverage situations.