MLB Player News

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.

Rangel is slated to start Sunday's game against the Mets in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia demoted Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 2, but he was called back up last week when the Phillies required a fifth starter for the final time before the All-Star break. Rangel will remain in the rotation to open the second half, but he may not be in line for a permanent spot if the Phillies acquire a starter prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline or elect to recall Andrew Painter from Triple-A and give him another shot in the big leagues. The 28-year-old Rangel has been a so-so performer through his first five appearances (two starts) with the big club, compiling a 4.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB in 19.1 innings.

Texas optioned Collyer to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

After a rocky appearance Friday, Collyer will make his way back to Triple-A having made five appearances during his latest stint with the big-league club. The 25-year-old allowed four runs on two hits, two walks and one hit batsman while striking out one in one inning of work on Friday against Atlanta. The Rangers activated Jakob Junis from the 15-day injured list to replace Collyer on the active roster.

The Rockies placed Criswell on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder strain.

Criswell gave up two earned runs in two innings Friday in what was his first appearance since returning to the majors last Saturday, but the Rockies will now be without his services until at least Aug. 2. His roster spot will be filled by Tomoyuki Sugano (back), who was reinstated from the injured list to start Saturday's game against the Reds.

The Rangers recalled Corniell from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

After making just one prior appearance with the big-league club this season back on June 23, Corniell is back with Texas. With Round Rock, the 23-year-old posted a 6.37 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB in 35.1 innings. The Rangers optioned Emiliano Teodo to make room for Corniell on the active roster.