MLB Player News

The Guardians designated Howard for assignment Sunday.

After being acquired from the Giants earlier this month, Howard stepped into the rotation for his Guardians debut July 11, but he lasted just three innings and gave up four earned runs in a loss against the Tigers. The Guardians turned to him in relief for his next appearance in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Padres and he once again struggled, surrendering four runs (one earned) on four hits -- including two home runs -- in two innings. After the pair of poor outings, the Guardians will move on from Howard and replace him on the 26-man active roster with righty Peter Strzelecki, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus ahead of Sunday's series finale with San Diego.

The Rangers optioned Robert to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

After covering three innings across two relief appearances Friday and Sunday, Robert will be swapped out of the Texas bullpen in favor of a fresh arm in right-hander Gerson Garabito, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. During his first stint in the majors, Roberts gave up two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings.

The Rangers recalled Garabito from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Garabito is back with the Rangers for the second time this season after he previously struck out five batters and gave up one earned run on four hits and five walks over 5.2 innings in three appearances (one start) while he was with the big club from May 26 through June 7. He'll serve as a multi-inning option out of the Texas bullpen.

Roycroft (1-2) allowed an unearned run on one walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

Roycroft has yielded five runs (four earned) over his last four appearances. He gave up a walk-off sacrifice fly to get stuck with a 3-2 loss in the 10th inning of Saturday's day game. The right-hander continues to see mostly low-leverage work for the Cardinals, pitching to a 3.52 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB over 23 innings.

The Cardinals optioned Leahy to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Leahy served as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Atlanta and was called upon out of the bullpen in the second game. He delivered two scoreless innings to finish out the Cardinals' 9-5 win, notching his first MLB save in the process. Though he'll head back to Triple-A, Leahy should rank near the top of the list for a call-up the next time the Cardinals are in need of an extra relief arm.

The Twins placed Funderburk on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left oblique strain.

After being called up from Triple-A St. Paul on June 21, Funderburk made six appearances out of the Minnesota bullpen and gave up seven earned runs over 9.1 innings before sustaining the oblique injury. The Twins promoted right-hander Ronny Henriquez from Triple-A to replace Funderburk in the bullpen.

The Twins recalled Henriquez from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

He'll join Minnesota as a replacement in the bullpen for left-hander Kody Funderburk (oblique), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Henriquez had previously made two appearances for the big club this season, striking out three over three scoreless innings.

The Brewers designated Kuhnel for assignment Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Though Kuhnel has a minor-league option remaining, the Brewers opted to move him off their 40-man roster to open up a spot in the bullpen for lefty Jared Koenig (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Kuhnel has now been DFA'd by the Brewers on two occasions since he signed a minor-league deal with the organization in June. He didn't make any appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen after being called up from Triple-A Nashville last Sunday.

The Brewers reinstated Koenig (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Reliever Joel Kuhnel was designated for assignment to make room in the bullpen and on the 26-man roster for Koenig, who landed on the IL on June 29 with left elbow tendinitis. The 30-year-old southpaw had been a dependable relief arm for Milwaukee prior to being deactivated, turning in a 1.66 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB over 38 innings.

Hader picked up a save over the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out two.

Hader entered the contest with a two-run lead in the ninth and retired the first two batters before surrendering a walk to Jonatan Clase. The veteran reliever then made short work of Luke Raley for the third and final out, securing his 20th save of the campaign and his eighth in the month of July. Hader has also posted two strikeouts in four of his last five appearances while not allowing a hit over that stretch.