MLB Player News

The Red Sox plan to call up Kelly from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Boston optioned Kelly to the minors May 26, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the team in fewer than the minimum 15 days with Chris Martin (undisclosed) set to be placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. In 16.2 innings of relief with Boston, Kelly owns a 2.16 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

The Cardinals recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

The right-hander was optioned to Memphis in late May but is now back with the big-league club. Roycroft has given up four earned runs in six innings for the Cardinals this season but has a 0.98 ERA over 14 outings at Triple-A.

The Pirates selected Heller's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Heller had posted a 4.91 ERA but also a 34:8 K:BB over 18.1 innings with Indianapolis. The 32-year-old has extensive major-league experience, having collected a 3.06 ERA over 50 career appearances covering parts of five seasons.

The Pirates optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez hadn't pitched in nearly two weeks after being recalled back on May 23 and making an appearance that day. He's being replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Ben Heller.

The Blue Jays optioned Burr to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Burr had just joined the Jays last week and allowed one run over 3.1 innings covering two relief appearances. He's clearing out to make room for Bowden Francis' (forearm) return from the injured list.

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

St. Louis is swapping out right-handed relievers, replacing Loutos with Chris Roycroft. Loutos contributed 1.1 scoreless innings over two appearances during his brief time in the majors.

The Mariners signed Bowman to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Bowman elected free agency last week after the Diamondbacks had removed him from their 40-man roster, but it didn't take him a long time to find a new home. He will make $1 million if he joins the major-league roster and his deal includes multiple opt-outs, per Heyman. Bowman holds a 5.02 ERA and 10:6 K:BB over 14.1 innings at the big-league level this season.

Atlanta transferred Matzek (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Brian Anderson, who signed a one-year deal with the club. Matzek has been sidelined for nearly a month with left elbow inflammation and now won't be eligible to return for at least another month.

Strickland (2-1) earned the win in relief over San Diego on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Tyler Anderson allowed just one run over 6.2 standout frames before turning the ball over to Strickland with runners on second and third and two outs in the seventh inning. The reliever escaped the jam by getting David Peralta to fly out, then wiggled out of his own two-on, one-out situation in the eighth. Strickland subsequently became the pitcher of record when the Angels broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of that frame. Though he has primarily pitched in lower-leverage situations this year, Strickland has been arguably the team's most effective reliever, posting a 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 25.2 innings while notching two wins and two holds.

Walston is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Giants at Chase Field.

After he was called up from Triple-A Reno on May 26, Walston made his first big-league start later that day against the Marlins, striking out four over 4.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision. Arizona had previously confirmed Walston for a start against the Mets this past weekend, but he was ultimately pushed back in the pitching schedule after the Diamondbacks elected to call up Slade Cecconi from Reno to slot into the rotation following Zac Gallen's (hamstring) placement on the 15-day injured list. Until one of Gallen, Merrill Kelly (shoulder) or Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) returns from the IL, the Diamondbacks should have back-end rotation spots available for both Walston and Cecconi.