MLB Player News

Slaten allowed one hit and zero walks in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season in Sunday's season finale against Tampa Bay.

Slaten allowed a bunt single to Dylan Carlson to lead off the ninth but otherwise had no trouble wrapping things up. With incumbent closer Kenley Jansen on the injured list, Slaten was able to notch his first save since March 31. The 27-year-old Slaten had an encouraging rookie season out of the Red Sox bullpen, pitching to a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB in 55.1 innings with six wins, 13 holds and two saves. The 37-year-old Jansen is set to become a free agent, so Slaten could find himself in the mix for saves next season.

Effross was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Effross logged 1.1 innings Friday and may not have been used Sunday, so he was the roster casualty to make room for Ben Rice.

Banda is opening Sunday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Landon Knack will serve as the primary pitcher after Banda exits, foreshadowing how the Dodgers might use Knack in the postseason. Banda returned from the injured list Thursday to throw 1.1 scoreless innings against the Padres.

Cousins (pectoral) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday and likely face live hitters Thursday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

He still hopes to be ready for the ALDS, and it sounds like he's hitting each necessary checkpoint. Cousins has been out for 10 days with a right pec strain.

Roupp was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

With Roupp unavailable after starting Friday and the Giants' bullpen lacking fresh options, Trevor McDonald was summoned to take the roster spot. Roupp has legitimate starter stuff, led by an elite curveball, but he has never logged 110 innings in a season and is already 26.

Davidson was designated for assignment Sunday.

Davidson's contract was selected Saturday, and he logged 4.2 scoreless innings in Minnesota while giving up four hits and two walks with just one strikeout. The 28-year-old lefty logged a 3.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 115.2 innings at Triple-A this season.

Selby was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Selby has a 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 26 strikeouts and four saves in 17 innings for Norfolk. The 26-year-old righty has good stuff and was acquired by Baltimore from Kansas City in July for cash.

Burr is opening Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Burr has not given up a run while notching eight strikeouts in 4.1 innings while working as an opener this season. Ryan Yarbrough could come in to log some bulk innings after Burr exits.

Gilbert was optioned to the Phillies' spring training complex Sunday.

Gilbert logged a 3.24 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and four strikeouts in 8.1 innings across six appearances for the big club. He was unlikely to be used Sunday, so the Phillies opted to summon a bench bat (Buddy Kennedy) for the final game of the regular season.

Dubin was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Dubin logged a 4.17 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, two saves and one win in 45.1 innings for the big club this year. He pitched a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts and a save Saturday, so Dubin may have been optioned simply because he wasn't going to be used Sunday.