MLB Player News

The Red Sox are expected to option Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican reports.

The move will clear the way for Brayan Bello (lat) to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Sunday against the Nationals. Winckowski has more walks (six) than strikeouts (four) over his last 14.2 innings (seven appearances). He'll likely be back up at some point when the Red Sox need a fresh bullpen arm.

The Athletics optioned Lucas to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

The move corresponds with the Athletics recalling right-hander Joey Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas. After having his contract selected from Las Vegas on Wednesday, Lucas struggled in his two major-league outings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over 2.1 innings. Lucas has a more respectable 2.87 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 15.2 frames in Triple-A, so a return to the minors could help the southpaw regain some form.

The Brewers optioned Herget to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Herget gave up two earned runs while recording a three-inning save and failing to notch a strikeout Friday against the Cardinals. Mitch White was added to the Brewers' active roster in a corresponding move.

Cuas was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Cuas, who has given up eight earned runs in six MLB innings through five appearances this year, should work in low-leverage situations. He has 17 strikeouts and a 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings at Triple-A.

Almonte was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He didn't recover well from his last outing Tuesday against the Padres and there is no timeline for his return, per manager Craig Counsell. Almonte has a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 20 strikeouts, one win and one save in 15.2 innings through 17 appearances.

Contreras was designated for assignment Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Contreras was out of minor-league options and had a 5.05 FIP and 1.65 WHIP in 12 appearances out of the big-league bullpen, so he was deemed expendable. At the peak of his fantasy value in 2021, Contreras sat 95-97 mph with his fastball as a starting pitcher, but he has averaged under 95 mph in back-to-back seasons, even while working in shorter stints out of the bullpen.

The Marlins optioned Villalobos to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Villalobos appeared in three major-league games after having his contract selected by Miami on May 5. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings. The move corresponds with the Marlins reinstating southpaw Jesus Luzardo (elbow) from the 15-day IL.

The Rays optioned Uceta to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The move corresponds with right-hander Pete Fairbanks (arm) being reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Uceta made two big-league appearances after being called up from Triple-A Durham on Monday. Over that span, the right-hander threw four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out five.

The Rays reinstated Fairbanks (arm) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Fairbanks played in two games with Triple-A Durham on his rehab assignment, and he threw one scoreless inning with a strikeout in his last outing Thursday. The right-hander joined the Rays on Friday, and he will be available for the weekend series against the Yankees. Before landing on the IL on April 22 with a nerve issue in his throwing arm, Fairbanks logged three saves in eight outings with a 9.00 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB over seven frames.

Burdi completed a perfect one-third of an inning to record a hold in Friday's 2-0 win against Tampa Bay.

Burdi came off the injured list Friday after missing three weeks due to right hip inflammation. He was called upon in the seventh frame to face Richie Palacios with two outs and a runner on first base, and the right-hander threw three pitches before Isaac Paredes was thrown out attempting to steal to end the inning. Burdi has yet to give up a run over 6.2 frames this season, and he's collected three holds along with a victory across eight outings.