MLB Player News

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

He's clearing out to make room for Zack Greinke, who has returned from the injured list to start Thursday. Castillo holds a 4.24 ERA over five appearances with the Royals this season as a multi-inning reliever.

Felipe (1-0) earned the win in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Red Sox, striking out two over 1.2 hitless innings.

Felipe relieved Lucas Erceg in the sixth inning, striking out a pair of Red Sox to strand the tying run on second base. The 25-year-old Felipe then set the Red Sox down in order in the seventh en route to his first MLB victory. The rookie right-hander has impressed since he was called up in early July -- he sports a 1.42 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB through his first 6.1 innings with the A's.

Littell (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits over 3.1 innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.

Littell made it through the first two innings unscathed before serving up a leadoff home run to Leody Taveras to open the bottom of the third. That would be the only run allowed by the right-hander on the afternoon as he was later relieved by Jake Diekman after surrendering a one-out double to Jonah Heim in the fourth. Littell has now allowed at least one run in each of his last three outings while his four strikeouts Wednesday marked a season high.

Gibaut struck out two over one inning in Wednesday's 3-2 win over San Francisco.

Gibaut, who entered after starter Graham Ashcraft gave up a leadoff home run in the seventh inning, retired all three batters faced. He was the first of three relievers to maintain the Reds' 3-2 lead and snap the team's six-game losing streak. Gibaut has been a dependable middle-relief arm and has pitched to a 1.08 ERA with nine strikeouts and one walk over 8.1 innings during July. For the season, the right-hander sports a 3.21 ERA with 11 holds, one save, 41 strikeouts, 19 walks and six home runs over 47.2 innings.

May picked up the save in Wednesday's 6-5 victory over the Red Sox, tallying a walk and a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

May now has saves in back-to-back games as he improves to 8-for-10 in opportunities this year. The 33-year-old right-hander has been solid since taking over closing duties in Oakland, pitching to a 1.74 ERA over his last 11 appearances (10.1 innings). After a rocky start, May now sports a 4.91 ERA with a 1.64 WHIP and 21:21 K:BB through 25.2 innings this season.

Bautista picked up the save Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Bautista needed only 12 pitches to get through the top of the ninth and record his 26th save. The right-handed reliever has only allowed one baserunner over his last three appearances and lowered his season ERA to 1.00 with Wednesday's scoreless outing. He's given up just one run and has a 40:3 K:BB in his past 19 outings.

Hader struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays.

He did hit a batter, but Hader then fanned Alejandro Kirk and George Springer to stifle any chance at a Toronto rally. Hader has converted 10 of 11 save chances since the beginning of June while not allowing an earned run during that stretch, posting a 1.17 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB in his last 13.2 innings.

Alvarado (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Alvarado went on the injured list on July 9 with left elbow inflammation but has felt better since being given a cortisone shot. The reliever missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, but it's unclear at this point whether a similar timetable is expected.

Williams gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to close out a 5-3 win over the Phillies.

The right-hander ran into a bit of trouble by giving up singles to Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott, but William Contreras threw out Stott attempting to steal second and Williams then fanned Alec Bohm to end the threat. The Milwaukee closer has been scored upon only once in his last 16 appearances, converting 14 of 15 save chances during that stretch with a 1.15 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings.

Speas struck out three over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings to earn a hold in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Tampa Bay.

Speas, who was called up earlier in the day, made his MLB debut which included striking out All-Stars Wander Franco, Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena. The Rangers needed bullpen length due to Jon Gray being removed during the fifth inning after taking a comebacker off his leg. Speas and Brock Burke combined for 3.2 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed and six strikeouts.