MLB Player News

Alvarado (1-2) took the loss during Thursday's 11-inning 6-5 loss to the Mets, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks across one inning. He struck out two.

Alvarado didn't take the mound until the 11th frame with the score tied 4-4 and ended up with the loss. He allowed a single to J.D. Martinez to open up the inning -- scoring designated runner Francisco Lindor -- before Harrison Bader doubled to put two runners aboard. Alvarado managed to retire the next three batters he faced; however, Martinez crossed home plate on a wild pitch to give the Mets an insurance run. Through 18.2 innings, Alvarado owns a 3.86 ERA and is 8-for-8 in save chances.

Diaz blew the save Thursday against Philadelphia, allowing one run on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over one inning.

Diaz inherited a one-run lead for the bottom of the ninth but was unable to convert his sixth save of 2024. Instead, Diaz walked Brandon Marsh and then allowed Marsh to reach second on a wild pitch before Bryson Stott hit an RBI single to send the game into extras. Diaz has blown three of his last four save chances and has allowed six runs over his last eight innings.

The Dodgers optioned Salazar to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Salazar was recalled from Triple-A and made his season debut Wednesday, allowing one unearned run while striking out three batters and walking two across two innings. He'll now return to the minors in favor of Nick Ramirez, who was recalled in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ramirez has allowed just one run across seven big-league innings this season, and he has thrown 5.2 shutout frames in Triple-A since being sent down in late April. The 34-year-old southpaw will likely serve in middle relief while with the Dodgers, and Eduardo Salazar will head back to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Burke (hand) will begin a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday.

Burke landed on the injured list April 13 after breaking his right (non-throwing) hand, and he'll now begin working his way back in rookie ball. The 27-year-old southpaw isn't eligible to return from the IL until June 12, so he will have plenty of time to ease his way back before rejoining the Rangers' bullpen.

The Pirates traded Contreras to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Contreras was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Saturday after posting a 4.41 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 16.1 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander will replace Davis Daniel in the Angels' bullpen, though Contreras could also be moved into the starting rotation at some point.

The Angels optioned Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

For the second time this season, Daniel will return to the minors after a one-day stint with the Angels without seeing the field. The 26-year-old right-hander owns a 5.89 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 36.2 innings in Triple-A.

The Athletics acquired Bielak from the Astros on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bielak had been designated for assignment and will wind up staying in the American League West. He's out of minor-league options, so the Athletics will need to add him to their active roster. Bielak holds a 5.71 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 17.1 relief innings this season. While he's pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in 2024, the 28-year-old has plenty of past starting experience, so he could be an option for an Oakland rotation that needs arms.

The Athletics designated Lucas for assignment Thursday.

Lucas was pushed off the Athletics' 40-man roster after Oakland acquired right-hander Brandon Bielak via trade from Houston on Thursday. The former was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this week but had made three appearances for the big club this season, giving up six earned runs on eight hits and three walks over 3.2 innings.

Fairbanks struck out two and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to pick up a hold in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

Fairbanks entered the game in the eighth inning to face the heart of the Red Sox order and needed only seven pitches to get through the frame. While effective, his usage was concerning given that he had pitched nearly exclusively as a traditional closer early in the season. It's unclear whether manager Kevin Cash might continue to mix and match the back end of his bullpen, but Fairbanks could lose save opportunities moving forward.