MLB Player News

Howard (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Angels.

Howard had been generally passable over his first three appearances (one start), but he struggled as the starter against a weak offense Friday. The Angels got on the board in the second inning and then poured it on in the third before Howard exited the contest. He's now at a 4.02 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over 15.2 innings this season. The right-hander's time in the rotation was always likely to be temporary, though none of Blake Snell (groin), Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) or Robbie Ray (elbow) are particularly close to returning. If Howard remains in the rotation, he's lined up to make his next appearance on the road against the Cubs.

Vesia allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

Most of the Dodgers' bullpen had pitched twice over the last three days, including regular closer Evan Phillips. The two freshest relievers were Vesia and Daniel Hudson, who earned the win after pitching the eighth inning. Vesia is on an 8.2-inning scoreless streak with a 13:1 K:BB, two saves and two holds in that span. He continues to impress this season with a 1.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 42:15 K:BB over 32 innings. He's up to three saves and four holds, so while he hasn't often been rewarded for his strong pitching, he's still capable of handling high-leverage assignments.

McGough will serve as Arizona's opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Saturday will mark McGough's second time serving as Arizona's opener, and he's once again expected to work in front of Tommy Henry, who is likely to operate as a bulk reliever. McGough owns a 5.85 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 20 innings this season.

Carasiti signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Friday.

Carasiti elected to become a free agent Monday after being DFA'd by the Rockies, and he'll now look to carve out a role for himself with Atlanta. The 32-year-old righty has allowed 10 earned runs in only 8.2 major-league innings this season, so it would likely take a major turnaround at Triple-A Gwinnett for him to spend any amount of time in Atlanta's bullpen.

Diaz allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk Friday while earning a save over Milwaukee.

Diaz was tasked with protecting a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning and ran into some trouble. He walked in a run after an error loaded the bases and allowed what would've been the game-tying hit if not for Will Benson throwing out Jake Bauers at home. Diaz has converted eight straight saves and 15 of his 17 chances this season. Despite his relative success in those situations, his ERA is up to 5.47 with a lackluster 27:19 K:BB through 26.1 innings.

Ortiz (3-2) picked up the win Friday against the Rockies, yielding one run on seven hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out three.

After Carmen Mlodzinski tossed a scoreless opening frame, Ortiz entered in the second as the bulk reliever for a scheduled bullpen day. The Pittsburgh righty held his own at Coors Field in his longest outing of the season, firing 69 pitches en route to his first win since May 5, which also came against Colorado. Ortiz has been a dependable option in the Pirates bullpen, throwing 43 innings with a 2.51 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 33:17 K:BB.

Iglesias recorded one out to earn a save over the Rays on Friday.

Iglesias came into the game with two runners on base and two outs. He quickly finished the 7-3 win with just three pitches. He's now converted 10 straight saves and is 18 for 20 in save chances this season. Iglesias is sporting a 2.10 ERA with a 17:5 K:BB.

Anderson (0-1) took the loss Friday against the Nationals, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in two innings. He struck out one.

Anderson held the Nats scoreless through his first two innings before unraveling in the third, where he allowed seven straight hits without recording an out. While it certainly wasn't an inspiring Miami debut for Anderson, the 29-year-old right-hander could get another shot in the rotation with Edward Cabrera (shoulder), Ryan Weathers (finger) and Sixto Sanchez (shoulder) all on the IL.

Castro (shoulder) threw a 26-pitch bullpen session Friday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Castro continued to ramp up after tossing 21 pitches in his previous bullpen session Tuesday. The 29-year-old should begin a rehab assignment soon.

Bird (elbow) will make another rehab appearance at Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

After beginning his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League, Bird pitched a scoreless inning with Albuquerque on Thursday and will come out of the bullpen again Saturday. A return to the big-league roster seems imminent for Bird, who's eligible to return any time.