MLB Player News

Iglesias notched a save against the Marlins on Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Prior to Thursday, Iglesias' most recent save came on July 14. He had pitched five scoreless innings since then but hadn't gotten a save opportunity. The veteran closer didn't falter with a save in his sights Thursday, needing just 10 pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth frame. Iglesias has now converted each of his past 15 save chances and is tied for fourth in the majors with 23 saves overall on the season.

Urena will start Friday against the Red Sox, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Urena has stretched out to complete three and 4.1 innings in his last two appearances, respectively. Both of those outings came in long relief, but he'll draw his seventh start of the season Friday. Urena has a 2.84 ERA with a 21:8 K:BB in 31.2 frames as a starter this season.

The Yankees reinstated Burdi (hip) from the 60-day injured list Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Hip inflammation has kept Burdi on the injured list since late May, and he has been on a rehab assignment with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since last Thursday. He's allowed two earned runs in 2.2 innings during his time in Triple-A, and he will remain with the RailRiders now that he's fully recovered. Cody Poteet (triceps) was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Alzolay will undergo surgery on his right forearm, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The date of Alzolay's surgery and the type of procedure he will receive are yet to be determined, though more details will come once he receives a second opinion. The 29-year-old righty has been sidelined since May due to a flexor strain, and a return timeline likely won't be available until after the surgery.

The Blue Jays optioned Espino to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Espino gave up four runs in four innings and took the loss during his spot start in Baltimore on Wednesday, and he'll now head back to the minors following the poor outing. The 37-year-old veteran has given up eight runs in 8.2 innings with the Blue Jays this season, and he owns a 5.09 ERA through 53 frames at Triple-A.

The Cardinals optioned Loutos to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

It was a one-day stint in the big leagues for Loutos, who turned in a scoreless inning during Wednesday's win over the Rangers. He's clearing out to make room on the roster and in the bullpen for Shawn Armstrong, who has officially been activated after being acquired via trade from the Rays on Tuesday.

The Orioles optioned Akin to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Akin will be sent back to Triple-A in order to make room for lefty Trevor Rogers, who was officially activated Thursday after coming over from Miami in a trade Tuesday. Akin owns a 3.34 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 56.2 innings with the Orioles this season, and he'll be on the short list to return to Baltimore if the team needs to add another bullpen arm down the road.

Faucher struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during a 6-2 win over the Rays.

It wasn't a save situation, but Faucher was still the pitcher manager Skip Schumaker called upon to protect Miami's first ninth-inning lead since Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres. Andrew Nardi, who was viewed as the most likely candidate to take over closing duties, pitched the sixth inning with a two-run lead, while Anthony Bender worked the eighth after the lead was extended to four runs. Faucher has pitched well enough to be in the high-leverage mix -- over his last 15 appearances, the right-hander has posted a 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 14 innings.

Nardi collected his 12th hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Rays, walking one and striking out three in a scoreless sixth inning.

The southpaw was considered the favorite to take over closing duties for the Marlins after Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres, but instead manager Skip Schumaker called on Nardi in the sixth inning Wednesday to protect a 4-2 lead. Miami wound up adding to its lead in the seventh, eliminating a potential save chance, but it still wasn't encouraging usage for any fantasy GMs hoping Nardi will pick up saves down the stretch. Anthony Bender, another potential closing option, was called on in the eighth inning after the lead was extended to 6-2 while Calvin Faucher worked the ninth, leaving the bullpen picture for the Marlins very murky.

Kahnle earned a hold against the Phillies on Wednesday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

Kahnle entered in the seventh frame with a runner on second base and one out. He walked the first batter he faced before ending the inning with a strikeout and a flyout. Kahnle has racked up six straight scoreless appearances and has given up just two runs over his past 21 outings. He has a 0.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB across 18.1 innings during the latter stretch.