MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Mata (shoulder) felt good after his rehab start Thursday, and the right-hander will start again for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

In his first rehab outing for Worcester on Thursday, Mata allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 frames. He opened the season on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, and he's been dealing with lat and shoulder soreness since May. Mata is out of minor-league options, and the 25-year-old right-hander is expected to work as a reliever out of Boston's bullpen once his rehab program is complete.

The Diamondbacks optioned Hughes to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Hughes owns a 2.00 ERA through 27 frames at Triple-A, but he allowed four earned runs in 3.1 innings after joining the Diamondbacks' bullpen Sunday. He'll now be sent back to Triple-A to make room for Zac Gallen (hamstring), who was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move.

The Guardians optioned McCaughan to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

After being recalled by the big club Thursday, McCaughan pitched four innings against the Royals on Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one. The move makes room on the 26-man roster for right-hander Eli Morgan (elbow), who was activated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Guardians activated Morgan (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Morgan will return from his second IL stint this season after recovering from right elbow inflammation. He made two rehab appearances in Triple-A, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. To make room for Morgan on the 26-man roster, Darren McCaughan was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Romano was shut down from throwing after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's the second time Romano has been shut down from throwing since he landed on the injured list June 1. Manager John Schneider said Saturday that Romano will get an evaluation on his right elbow July 2, which should give clarity on the next steps for the 31-year-old closer, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Prior to his injury, Romano registered eight saves with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 13.2 innings this season.

The Brewers selected Zastryzny's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Zastryzny has spent all season with Nashville after signing a minor-league deal with Milwaukee during the offseason, putting up a 3.18 ERA and 0.93 WHIP alongside a 38:8 K:BB through 28.1 innings. The 32-year-old southpaw will now join the Brewers to replace Jared Koenig (forearm), who landed on the injured list, and Zastryzny will presumably work in middle relief during his stint with Milwaukee. Chris Roller was designated for assignment in order to open up a 40-man roster spot.

The Brewers placed Koenig on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left forearm tendinitis.

Koenig threw 1.1 scoreless innings and struck out three batters during his appearance Friday versus the Cubs, but he seems to have come away from his outing with an injury. The 30-year-old southpaw has been one of the Brewers' more surprising finds of the season, posting a 1.66 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 38 innings. Rob Zastryzny was selected from Triple-A Nashville to replenish Milwaukee's bullpen depth.

Kolek (2-0) earned the win over Boston on Friday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over two scoreless innings.

Kolek was sharp in the relief outing, throwing 16 of 22 pitches for strikes and recording a first-pitch strike to six of the eight batters he faced. The right-hander has been used almost exclusively in lower-leverage situations this season, picking up just two holds across 33 appearances. Kolek has recorded more than three outs in 12 of those outings and has registered a 4.74 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 38 innings on the campaign.

Stanek (5-1) got the extra-inning win over the Twins on Friday, firing a perfect 10th inning.

Stanek followed Andres Munoz after the latter had fired a perfect ninth frame, and the former was able to match his high-leverage mate in caliber of performance while also earning the win. Stanek needed just nine pitches, six which he located for strikes, to get through his inning, setting down Max Kepler, Manuel Margot and Christian Vazquez in order. The veteran right-hander's pristine effort was an extension of his recent run of excellence, one that's seen him pitch 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings during which he's generated an 11:1 K:BB, two wins, two holds and three saves across 10 appearances.

Alexander (1-2) got the victory over the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing an earned run on a hit and a walk over one inning.

Alexander was the first reliever out of the bullpen following JP Sears' impressive six-inning start, and while the former did falter by allowing a Ketel Marte go-ahead RBI single, he was able to limit the damage to that one run. Alexander then became the beneficiary of a three-run eighth-inning rally by Oakland, which gave the A's a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Alexander posted a career-high seven wins with the Giants in 2023, but Friday's victory was his first of this season and came in an outing where he was scored upon for the fifth time in eight appearances.