MLB Player News

Bautista (7-2) allowed a hit and struck out four over two scoreless innings to earn the extra-inning win Saturday over the Mariners.

Offense was at a premium Saturday, but Bautista made sure the Mariners saw none of it. He kept the game scoreless in the ninth inning and then protected a 1-0 lead in the 10th to pick up the win. Bautista allowed five runs over 1.2 innings across his previous two appearances, both against Houston, but prior to that shaky stretch, he'd posted a 17-inning scoreless streak. Even with the recent struggles, he has a 1.60 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 108:24 K:BB and 31 saves in 37 chances through 56.1 innings this season as one of the best relievers in baseball.

Howard left his outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a team trainer Saturday and was placed on the seven-day injured list with an undisclosed issue,Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

The nature and severity of Howard's injury are not clear. The 27-year-old righty likely wasn't going to play a major role for the Yankees down the stretch even if healthy, as he was acquired for cash at the deadline and owns a career 7.20 ERA in 115 major-league innings.

Heasley was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Heasley had been in the majors since early July. In his first seven appearances of his latest big-league stint, he allowed just one earned run in seven innings, but he's given up nine earned runs (including five homers) in 5.1 innings across his last four outings. He'll sort things out in the minors, with Max Castillo taking his place in the bullpen.

Castillo was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Castillo has thrown 17 innings as a long reliever for the Royals this season, holding his own with a 4.24 ERA despite a low 13.7 percent strikeout rate. He's likely limited to a low-leverage role unless he can start to miss more bats. Jonathan Heasley was optioned in a corresponding move.

Mushinski was recalled by the Astros on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

This will be Mushinski's fourth separate stint in the big-league bullpen this season. The 27-year-old lefty owns a 2.79 ERA and 11:3 K:BB in 9.2 innings at the highest level. Phil Maton (elbow) landed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

Maton (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Maton was struck on the right elbow by a comebacker during his outing against the Angels on Friday. He's avoided anything worse than a bruise but will nonetheless require at least 15 days to heal. Parker Mushinski was called up to take his place on the roster.

Then cleared waivers Saturday and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma.

Then lost his spot on the Mariners' 40-man roster after struggling to a 4.91 ERA and 10.4 percent strikeout rate in 11 innings of relief. He owns a 12.71 ERA with more walks than strikeouts at the Triple-A level this season, so it's no surprise that he went unclaimed on waivers.

Long was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Long had been in the big leagues since the Athletics acquired him from the Giants in late April. He's struggled to a 5.27 ERA in 42.2 innings, striking out just 17.3 percent of opposing batters. Francisco Perez was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

Perez's contract was selected by Oakland on Saturday.

The left-handed reliever has 15.1 innings of major-league experience, appearing briefly for Cleveland and Washington. He's spent all of this year in the minors, where he owns a 4.86 ERA at the Triple-A level while walking 13.4 percent of opposing batters. Sam Long was optioned in a corresponding move.

Foley was reinstated from the bereavement list Saturday.

Foley had been away from the team since Tuesday. Trey Wingenter was called up to take his spot in the bullpen at that time and will return to the minors now that Foley is ready to go.