MLB Player News

Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Kimbrel hasn't allowed a walk or a hit over his last 4.2 innings, and he's pitched 6.2 consecutive scoreless innings. He's earned a save in each of his last four outings, retaking the closer role after a shaky stretch in late April and early May saw him take a short stint in lower-leverage assignments. Kimbrel is 12-for-15 in save chances this season while posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB over 20 innings. He's also collected four holds and a 4-1 record, but it looks like most of his appearances will be in the ninth inning going forward.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Funderburk tossed 1.1 scoreless frames in relief Sunday against the Rangers and will head back to the minors until the Twins have need of a fresh bullpen arm. He has a 5.18 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 24.1 innings.

Fairbanks allowed two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Royals.

Fairbanks allowed back-to-back two-out singles to load the bases, but he got Bobby Witt on a groundout to end the threat. Despite the danger, Fairbanks turned in his seventh straight scoreless outing since returning from a nerve issue in his arm. He's allowed just four baserunners in that span. The 30-year-old has a 4.50 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 18:9 K:BB and five saves over 14 innings this season.

The White Sox claimed Peralta off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

After being designated for assignment by the Mariners on Thursday, Peralta returned to the White Sox organization Sunday, re-joining a team he started the season with. The 26-year-old left-hander will stay in the minors, where he has a 9.24 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 12.2 innings in Triple-A.

Tate (2-0) pitched 2.1 perfect innings and struck out four to earn the win over the White Sox on Saturday.

Tate was locked in for a long-relief appearance, and the Orioles were able to pull ahead while he was in the game. The right-hander had spent nearly a month at Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 3.86 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 5:0 K:BB over seven innings. The Orioles have dealt with a rough stretch of pitching injuries recently, so Tate is up as a reinforcement in the bullpen. He has a 2.40 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB over 15 innings in the majors this season, and it looks like he could provide some length when necessary.

The Mariners optioned Bazardo to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Bazardo will give up his spot in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster to southpaw Tayler Saucedo (knee), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. After getting a call-up from Tacoma on May 8, Bazardo made five relief appearances for Seattle and gave up five earned runs on four hits and four walks over 7.2 innings.

The Mariners reinstated Saucedo (knee) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

He'll take over the 26-man active roster spot of right-hander Eduard Bazardo, who was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move. Saucedo was placed on the IL on May 8 with a hyperextended right knee but looks to be healthy again after he tossed a scoreless inning in his lone rehab appearance for Tacoma on Thursday.

The Red Sox optioned Kelly to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Kelly will head back to Worcester to make room in the bullpen for right-hander Brad Keller, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox. After making his return from Triple-A on April 24, Kelly made 11 relief appearances for Boston and logged a 2.16 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 16.2 innings.

Keller signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox on Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

After clearing waivers upon being designated for assignment by the White Sox last week, Keller elected free agency and quickly caught on with a new club on a big-league deal. Keller is expected to be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game against the Brewers and should serve as a long-relief option for the duration of his stay with Boston. Prior to being cut by the White Sox, Keller made five appearances (two starts) and pitched to a 4.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 16.2 innings.

Alexander was credited with his first hold in Saturday's win over the Astros, firing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

Alexander got the final two outs of the eighth, inheriting a one-on, one-out situation from Lucas Erceg and retiring the dangerous duo of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez on groundouts. The veteran southpaw allowed a solo home run over two-thirds of an inning in his delayed season debut against the Rockies on Tuesday, but he's subsequently fired 1.2 scoreless, hitless frames in his next pair of appearances.