MLB Player News

The Red Sox recalled Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

He'll slide into the roster spot vacated by the injured Garrett Whitlock (knee). Samaniego has posted a 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB in 17.1 innings this season out of Boston's bullpen.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left knee inflammation, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock had been unavailable to pitch the last few days after hurting his knee on a wet mound during his last appearance Sunday versus the Twins. The Red Sox wanted to give him time to improve in hopes that he could avoid the injured list, but an IL stint was ultimately deemed necessary. Tyler Samaniego is absorbing Whitlock's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

The Nationals activated Henry (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Henry has been out since mid-April with a right rotator cuff strain. He yielded two runs (one earned) with a 4:1 K:BB over five rehab innings with Triple-A Rochester and averaged 94.1 mph with his four-seamer, which is up a bit from his 93.7 mph average before he got hurt. Henry could work his way into high-leverage spots in the Nationals' bullpen, but he will likely pitch in middle relief initially.

The Blue Jays optioned Lee to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, reports Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.

Lee is being sent down to make space for Connor Seabold as the latter joins the big-league club after being acquired via trade from Detroit. Lee made just two appearances after being recalled to Toronto on May 19, giving up four walks and two earned runs over two frames.

Rojas will not start against the White Sox on Thursday due to posterior elbow soreness, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Rojas was slated to start his second game of the season but will instead be scratched due to the injury. Simeon Woods Richardson will take his place as the starter for the series finale against the White Sox. It is unclear yet whether this will lead to an injured-list stint for Rojas.

The Tigers placed Jansen on the 15-day injured list Thursday with pelvic inflammation.

Jansen underwent an MRI after exiting his appearance Wednesday with right groin tightness, and although he hasn't been diagnosed with a strain, the Tigers will send him to the injured list anyway to give him time to recover. Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are the leading candidates to close games for Detroit while Jansen is sidelined, and Drew Sommers will come up from Triple-A Toledo to round out the big-league bullpen.

The Tigers recalled Sommers from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Sommers will be back with the big-league club after a brief three-day stint in Triple-A Toledo. Kenley Jansen (pelvis) was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Thursday, so Sommers will take his place on the active roster. The 25-year-old has struggled in his four appearances with Detroit, allowing six earned runs over three innings.

Strahm (knee) threw live batting practice Wednesday and is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, putting him on track to be activated from the injured list when eligible Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Strahm landed on the injured list May 16 but appears to be recovering well after receiving an injection May 21 to address inflammation in his right knee. Manager Matt Quatraro said the southpaw looked great during a live batting practice session Wednesday, so barring any setbacks during his upcoming bullpen session, Strahm appears likely to be activated from the injured list when first eligible Sunday. Prior to being shelved, he posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

Webb (1-1) earned the win after striking out all three batters he faced in a 10-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Webb entered the game in the sixth inning with the game knotted 4-4 and struck out the side to keep the game tied before the Cubs scored six unanswered runs. The 32-year-old has been near perfect in his last seven appearances, recording 7.1 scoreless frames with 12 strikeouts. Through 24 appearances this season, Webb has a 2.66 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB over 23.2 innings.

Estevez (shoulder) began playing catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

While on a rehab assignment for a left foot contusion, Estevez was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain May 6 and subsequently shut down from throwing. The right-hander met with team doctors Tuesday for a re-evaluation and seemingly received positive news, as he has now resumed throwing. The development marks a step in the right direction, though Kansas City will likely proceed cautiously with the veteran's buildup, and he'll almost certainly require another rehab assignment, leaving his timetable for a return unclear. With Estevez sidelined, Lucas Erceg has stepped in as the Royals' closer and posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB while converting 11 of 15 save opportunities across 21.1 innings.