MLB Player News

The Tigers optioned Brieske to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Brieske made four appearances after joining the Tigers' bullpen July 1, during which he gave up one run on three hits and no walks while striking out four batters in five innings. He now owns a 6.75 ERA through 9.1 major-league innings this year and remains an option to return as bullpen depth for the big club later in the season.

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

Heuer pitched 1.2 shutout innings during Game 1 of Saturday's twin bill, but he'll now be sent down to the minors so the Guardians can add a fresh arm to their bullpen in the form of Will Dion. Heuer now owns a 4.66 ERA through 9.2 frames with Cleveland this season and could return to the big club later this year as bullpen depth.

The Guardians recalled Dion from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Dion will come up from the minors to give the Guardians an additional fresh arm for their doubleheader against Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old has given up seven earned runs in just 11.1 MLB innings this season, so he'll likely be limited to low-leverage situations. Codi Heuer was sent down to Columbus in a corresponding move.

The Athletics selected Hartlieb's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

With Justin Sterner (knee) headed for the injured list, the A's will turn to Hartlieb to provide depth to their bullpen. The 32-year-old righty will presumably be limited to middle-relief duty after giving up five earned runs in 8.2 innings during a stint with the big club in late June.

Varland earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the White Sox, striking out one batter in a clean ninth inning.

Saturday was a low-scoring affair, and Varland was tasked with protecting the Blue Jays' one-run lead. He needed just nine pitches (six strikes) to get the job done, highlighted by five-pitch strikeout of Colson Montgomery. Varland has converted all 20 of his save opportunities this season and boasts a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:13 K:BB across 50 innings. He hasn't given up an earned run in 40 of his 45 outings this year.

The Athletics placed Sterner on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right knee chondromalacia.

Sterner gave up six earned runs in just one-third of an inning during Friday's contest, and he'll now be sidelined until at least Aug. 2 due to his knee injury. Geoff Hartlieb will come up from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the vacancy in the Athletics' bullpen.

Montgomery will serve as the opening pitcher in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery will receive his fifth opening assignment of the season after giving up just two earned runs over 8.1 innings across his last nine outings. The 26-year-old southpaw has never completed two full innings in an appearance this season, so he'll likely secure just the first three outs of the game before turning things over to the Pirates' bullpen.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that MRI results of Puk's left shoulder revealed that his shoulder capsule hasn't fully healed, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Puk has been on the injured list all season while recovering from an internal brace procedure he underwent last summer, as well as a shoulder capsule sprain he suffered while pitching in a rehab game. The results of his latest MRI suggest that Puk's stay on the IL is likely to be extended even further, and he's set to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache within the next couple of days to receive a second opinion before determining his next steps. An updated timeline for his return could come into focus following his appointment.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said July 8 that Roberts (forearm) completed a bullpen session, MLB.com reports.

Roberts had been scheduled to throw off a mound a second time prior to the All-Star break, though it's unclear if that came to pass. The right-hander has been on the shelf since June 29 due to forearm inflammation and will eventually need to complete a rehab assignment before returning from the 15-day injured list.

Bradford (elbow) will continue his rehab assignment and start Saturday for Double-A Frisco, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Bradford will make his second start for Frisco after resuming his rehab assignment Tuesday. The left-hander threw just 21 pitches in one inning of work in his previous start, giving up one run on no hits and two walks. It is expected that Bradford will up his pitch count on Saturday as Texas wants to continue to stretch out the 28-year-old in order to get him back in the big-league rotation once his 30-day rehab window ends.