MLB Player News

The Mariners optioned Hoppe to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Hoppe will lose his place in Seattle's bullpen after giving up multiple runs in each of his last two appearances, elevating his ERA to 6.38 through 24 innings. Josh Simpson was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Orioles designated Nicolas for assignment Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Nicolas will lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Dom Keegan, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on Saturday. Nicolas has given up seven earned runs in 7.1 major-league innings this season, and he hasn't been much better since joining Triple-A Norfolk (three earned runs in 4.1 IP).

The Royals recalled Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Cerantola has given up six earned runs in 10.2 innings at Triple-A since making his last appearance in the big leagues, but he'll return to Kansas City to help stabilize a Royals staff that went through eight pitchers while giving up 22 runs Friday. Mitch Spence was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding move.

Rangel will serve as a bulk reliever in Saturday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Rangel allowed just one run in five innings while following Tim Mayza out of the bullpen Monday, so the Phillies will aim to recreate that success by having the two pitchers work together again Saturday.

Mayza will serve as the opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Mayza worked as the opener for Alan Rangel on Monday, and the two pitchers are now set to work in tandem again Saturday. Mayza will presumably remain in the game for an inning or two before Rangel enters to handle the bulk of innings out of the pen.

Munoz struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 15th save of the season in Friday's 3-1 win over Cleveland.

Munoz struck out Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio to lead off the final frame before inducing a groundout from Kahlil Watson to end the game. With a 4.91 ERA through 29.1 innings, the 27-year-old hasn't been as reliable this year compared to past seasons, but he's now thrown five consecutive scoreless innings and earned a save in each of his last five appearances.

Quantrill is slated to start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Quantrill will be making his second start in five days, though he'll likely be limited to around 2-to-3 innings after covering two frames and tossing 34 pitches as an opener in front of Jose Corniell in Tuesday's loss to the Marlins. Corniell has since been demoted to Triple-A Round Rock, but Winston Santos hasn't been used following his call-up from Double-A Frisco on Wednesday and could end up covering multiple innings behind Quantrill on Saturday.

Rangel is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.

Rangel is set to receive another turn through the Philadelphia rotation, this time as a traditional starter after previously pitching in bulk relief Monday after being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 28-year-old righty excelled while working behind opener Tim Mayza in a 4-1 loss to the Nationals, striking out four over five innings while yielding one earned run on five hits and no walks. Over two extended relief appearances with the big club this season, Rangel owns a 9:0 K:BB in eight innings, but his numbers over a much larger sample at Triple-A have been less impressive (3.99 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 15.6 K-BB% in 70 innings).

Latz walked one batter in a scoreless ninth inning to secure the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Latz walked Brandon Valenzuela to lead off the ninth but was able to regain his composure and force the next three batters he faced to fly out, ending the Blue Jays' comeback effort. Latz now owns a sparkling 1.85 ERA and 0.67 WHIP through 39 innings on the year and has converted 16 of his 18 save chances.

Moran (elbow) will make at least one more rehab appearance before being activated, MLB.com reports.

Moran kicked off a rehab assignment Thursday, when he allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning (17 pitches) for Triple-A Worcester. Relievers on rehab assignments usually don't need much more than one or two appearances, so Moran could return early next week.