MLB Player News

The Angels recalled Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

It's the second time this season that Saucedo has been called up by the big club, with his lone major-league appearance coming against the Mets on May 3, when he allowed one run while striking out two batters across two-thirds of an inning. In Triple-A this season, Saucedo has a 4.82 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 20:13 K:BB across 18.2 innings. In a corresponding move, right-hander Ryan Johnson was optioned to Double-A Rocket City following the Angels' 14-6 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday.

Strzelecki cleared waivers Wednesday and elected free agency, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Strzelecki was selected to the Brewers' active roster Saturday to provide extra bullpen depth but was DFA'd by the team Sunday without making an appearance. He'll now explore his options in free agency after passing through waivers unclaimed, though he will likely have to settle for another minor-league contract.

The Diamondbacks released Ross on Monday.

Ross was torched for eight runs in 3.2 innings during a stint with the Diamondbacks earlier this season but has spent most of his time at Triple-A Reno, where he held a 4.29 ERA and 12:5 K:BB over 21 frames. The veteran hurler will now be on the lookout for a new contract with an organization seeking swingman depth.

Scholtens (5-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over four innings of relief in a 5-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out four.

Steven Matz was activated from the IL earlier in the day to get the start, but he wound up working in tandem with Scholtens as each pitcher tossed four innings. The right-hander pocketed the decision when the Rays rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth. It's not clear if the duo will continue to piggyback, or if Tampa Bay will now shift to a six-man rotation. Scholtens has been effective however he's been deployed this season, and over eight appearances (two starts) he sports a 3.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 36.1 innings.

The Rockies placed Vodnik on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right ulnar nerve inflammation.

Vodnik still leads the Rockies with four saves this season but has struggled mightily over the last month, allowing 14 runs with an 11:9 K:BB over nine innings. He'll now be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Antonio Senzatela and Juan Mejia are currently the top options for saves in the Colorado bullpen.

Puk (elbow) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Puk faced hitters for the first time since undergoing internal brace surgery on his left elbow last June. Per Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, Puk's fastball sat in the mid-90s during the throwing session, and the left-hander bounced back well following the workout. The successful live BP session should set Puk up to begin a rehab assignment this weekend in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

The Mets optioned Duarte to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

After being called up from Triple-A on Monday, the 29-year-old made his Mets debut a day later against the Nationals, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The Mets sent him back to Syracuse in order to make room on the active roster for Wednesday's starting pitcher, Zach Thornton.

Scott (1-1) earned the win over San Diego on Tuesday, walking one batter and striking out two over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings.

Scott has been Los Angeles' primary closer since Edwin Diaz (elbow) landed on the injured list April 20, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts elected to call on Scott in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday. The lefty's entrance came at a critical moment, as the Padres had put runners on first and second with two outs in a 4-4 game. Scott got Ramon Laureano to fly out to end the threat and then worked around a two-out walk to retire the side in the eighth. He moved in line for the victory when Los Angeles plated a run in the top of the ninth, and Will Klein got the final three outs in the bottom of that inning for his first career save. Scott's usage Tuesday shouldn't be viewed as an indication that he's not the Dodgers' first choice as closer, though it does suggest that Roberts isn't against using him in earlier high-leverage spots if the situation calls for it.

Bird notched a hold against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, striking out one batter and hitting one over a scoreless and hitless two-thirds of an inning.

Bird entered in the seventh inning with New York ahead 5-3. He retired the first two batters he faced before hitting Vladimir Guerrero with a pitch. Bird was pulled after the HBP, and Guerrero was ultimately stranded. Bird has given up just two earned runs while recording an 8:3 K:BB over his past 11 appearances spanning 8.1 innings. He's been in the high-leverage mix with five holds over that span.

The Rangers activated Curvelo (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock.

Curvelo has been shelved since mid-April with a right shoulder impingement, but he recently made a couple scoreless rehab appearances with Round Rock despite three walks. Rather than add him back to the major-league bullpen, the Rangers have elected to keep Curvelo in the minors for the time being.