MLB Player News

Anderson walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-4 extra-innings win over the Rays.

Regular closer James McArthur worked the ninth and 10th innings, leaving the save chance to Anderson once the Royals pulled ahead in the 11th. Anderson got the job done with his third straight scoreless outing, though he has allowed four runs with a 4:6 K:BB over his last 5.1 innings. The right-hander has an acceptable 3.93 ERA for the year, but his 1.75 WHIP and 12:12 K:BB through 18.1 innings aren't great. Anderson has added a 2-1 record and two holds while seeing little high-leverage work, a situation that's unlikely to improve for him now that Carlos Hernandez is back from a shoulder injury.

Walston has joined the Diamondbacks' taxi squad and is expected to be called up from Triple-A Reno to start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The Diamondbacks haven't officially announced their pitching plans for Sunday, but Walston's presence in the clubhouse suggests that he'll be the choice to either start or work as a bulk reliever in the series finale versus Miami. The 22-year-old southpaw allowed two earned runs in 3.2 innings during his MLB debut May 1 against the Dodgers, and he has since posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across three appearances upon being sent back down to Triple-A.

Adams was removed from Saturday's game against the Astros due to neck tightness, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Adams entered Saturday's contest in the top of the seventh inning but was only able to face two batters before his neck forced him out of the game. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said the reliever probably could have continued, so his removal appears precautionary. Consider Adams day-to-day for the time being.

Holton gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Jason Foley was brought on in the eighth inning to face Vladimir Guerrero, Bo Bichette and George Springer, leaving Holton to handle the bottom of Toronto's order. The southpaw gave up a double to Isiah Kiner-Falefa but otherwise had little trouble. With Alex Lange sent down to Triple-A on Thursday, there's a vacancy in Detroit's high-leverage crew, and Holton might be the guy to fill it. Through 18 appearances this season, he sports a 3.76 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB over 26.1 innings with three wins and two holds in addition to Saturday's save.

The Cubs optioned Cuas to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With Drew Smyly (hip) returning from the injured list, Cuas will be pushed back down to Triple-A after nearly two weeks in the majors. The 29-year-old right-hander gave up three earned runs in 5.1 innings during his latest stint in the majors, and he figures to be on the short list to return to the Cubs' bullpen if they find themselves in need of a fresh arm.

The Cubs reinstated Smyly (hip) from the injured list Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smyly landed on the injured list in late April due to a right hip impingement. He struck out five batters in three scoreless innings during his lone rehab game at High-A South Bend on Tuesday. He had put up a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 12.2 innings before getting injured and figures to reprise his role as a middle reliever now that he's fully recovered. Jose Cuas was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Marte (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Marte has been on the injured list since early May due to shoulder inflammation, but he has now been given the green light to test his shoulder in a game environment. It's unclear how long the 29-year-old reliever will remain in the minors, but he will presumably return to a middle-relief role with the Phillies once he comes back from the IL.

The Brewers traded Vieira and Aneuris Rodriguez to the Orioles on Saturday in exchange for Garrett Stallings.

Vieira was DFA'd by Milwaukee on Monday, but he will once again possess a spot on a big-league roster as he joins the Orioles. The 30-year-old reliever posted a 4.97 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 25.1 innings during his tenure with the Brewers, and he'll likely slide into a low-leverage role in Baltimore's bullpen.

The Angels reinstated Zuniga (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Zuniga made four appearances with the Angels before being placed on the injured list April 8 due to a right pectoral strain. He made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake, allowing just one hit while striking out two over two frames. The 25-year-old right-hander will continue to work through the minors as he looks to make his way back to the big club.

The Athletics designated Bielak for assignment Saturday.

The move comes with the Athletics recalling right-hander Tyler Ferguson from Triple-A Las Vegas. Oakland acquired Bielak from the Houston on May 16 after the Astros DFA'd the 28-year-old right-hander May 11. Bielak appeared in three games for the Athletics, and he did not give up a run over his last two outings. He's out of minor-league options, but Bielak should still draw interest from teams that are in need of right-handed depth in the bullpen.