MLB Player News

Muller could follow starter Mitch Spence as a long reliever during Friday's game against the Royals, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

With the A's rotation plagued by injuries, Muller was initially an option to start Friday's series opener. However, Oakland will hand the ball to Mitch Spence -- who's gone three or more innings six times this season -- to start the contest. Still, Muller could follow Spence and see multiple innings of work if needed.

Spence will start Friday in Kansas City, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first major-league start for Spence, who has posted a 4.26 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 25.1 innings covering 11 relief appearances. The Rule 5 pick will be pitching on three days' rest after allowing two runs over two-thirds of an inning Monday in Houston, so he likely won't be able to pitch deep into Friday's contest. Spence has gone three-plus frames in six of his relief appearances, including a season-long 4.2-inning outing May 5 versus the Marlins. He could wind up piggybacking with Kyle Muller, who is also available to work multiple innings.

The Astros will recall Mushinski from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game versus the Brewers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

There's no word yet on what the corresponding move will be, but Shawn Dubin threw three innings Thursday so he is a candidate to be optioned. Mushinski has been knocked around for seven runs (five earned) over four relief innings during his time in the majors this season.

The Guardians activated Hentges from the paternity leave list Thursday.

Hentges missed a series against the Rangers while spending time with his growing family. He'll be back in the Guardians' bullpen for their weekend set versus the Twins.

Dubin picked up his first save in a win over Oakland on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits over three innings while striking out two.

The right-handed reliever surrendered a leadoff single to kick things off in the seventh and advanced the runner on a wild pitch before they would eventually make their way home. However, Dubin cruised through the next two frames and recorded his longest appearance of the campaign in an 8-1 win. On the downside, he's now allowed at least one run in two of his last three appearances as he continues to work in a low-leverage role.

Jansen (1-1) took the loss Thursday against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts over one inning.

Jansen took over in the top of the ninth with the game tied but fell to his first loss of the campaign. After striking out Josh Lowe to start off the inning, Jansen yielded a walk, two singles and a sacrifice fly to consecutive batters as the Rays took a 7-5 advantage and the eventual win. The outing raised the 36-year-old's ERA from 2.45 to 3.45. In 15.2 innings of work, Jansen owns a 21:10 K:BB and has yet to allow a home run.

Adam allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one across two-thirds of an inning to earn a hold Thursday against the Red Sox.

Adam entered the game in the ninth inning and was in line to earn the save, but he was forced to exit after the Rays' exceeded their limit for mound visits. He was laboring toward the end of the outing, having allowed each of the last two batters he faced to reach base. Though it wasn't his most dominant appearance, Adam has been excellent this season and has turned in six consecutive scoreless outings. He could be a candidate for save chances moving forward on occasions when Pete Fairbanks is unavailable or used in high-leverage situations earlier in a contest.

Ramirez recorded the final out in Thursday's win over Boston to earn the save.

Jason Adam began the ninth inning and was in line to earn the save, but he was forced to leave the game after the Rays exceeded the limit for mound visits. Ramirez then entered the contest to record the final out with runners on first and third. He hasn't worked many high-leverage situations this season and isn't likely to see many moving forward given the depth of Tampa Bay's bullpen.

Burke (hand) will begin a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday.

Burke landed on the injured list April 13 after breaking his right (non-throwing) hand, and he'll now begin working his way back in rookie ball. The 27-year-old southpaw isn't eligible to return from the IL until June 12, so he will have plenty of time to ease his way back before rejoining the Rangers' bullpen.

The Pirates traded Contreras to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Contreras was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Saturday after posting a 4.41 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 16.1 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander will replace Davis Daniel in the Angels' bullpen, though Contreras could also be moved into the starting rotation at some point.