MLB Player News

Williams picked up the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over Pittsburgh, logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Williams has converted his last seven save chances, pitching eight consecutive scoreless innings over that span while allowing just two hits. The 28-year-old righty's ERA is down to 1.52 with a 0.98 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB across 29.2 innings. Williams should remain one of the upper-tier closing options for fantasy purposes this season.

Dominguez (oblique) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Destiny Lugardo of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Dominguez started his throwing program last weekend and has quickly progressed to mound work as he's fully recovered from the oblique strain that landed him on the shelf June 17. The right-hander isn't expected to rejoin the active roster until after the All-Star break.

Bautista picked up the save Sunday against the Twins, striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bautista's now converted 14 of his last 15 save chances, allowing just one run in that span (14.2 innings) while striking out 31. He's up to 22 saves on the season with a 1.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and an eye-popping 79:17 K:BB across 38.2 innings.

Lovelady (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Lovelady landed on the shelf in mid-June with a left-elbow strain, but he spent just one day over the 15-day minimum on the IL. He's been a solid late-inning option for Oakland this year with four holds and a 3.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB across 21 innings.

The Astros optioned Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Since Blanco wasn't scheduled to make another start during the final week before the All-Star break, the Astros opted to swap him off the 26-man active roster in favor of a fresh bullpen arm in Parker Mushinski, who was recalled from Sugar Land in a corresponding move. While serving as a starter in each of his last five appearances for Houston, Blanco went 2-0 with a 4.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB across 28 innings. Unless Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list coming out of the All-Star break, Blanco will likely rejoin the Astros once the team requires a fifth starter for the first time in the second half.

Barria will start Monday against the Padres in San Diego, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

As the holder of the final slot in a six-man rotation, Barria's role and routine tend to fluctuate. The right-hander didn't see action for 10 days between a relief appearance June 18 and a start June 28, and he's now being asked to pitch on four days of rest so that Shohei Ohtani, who's dealing with a cracked fingernail, can get an extra day before his next start. Of course, four days is typical rest in many big-league rotations, and Barria tossed just 59 pitches his last time out, so he should be fresh for Monday's start.

The Astros recalled Mushinski from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Sunday's game against the Rangers, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Houston optioned Ronel Blanco to Triple-A in a corresponding move, with Mushinski set to provide the Astros with a fresh arm out of the bullpen since Blanco wasn't scheduled to make another turn through the rotation before the All-Star break anyway. Mushinski has previously made three appearances in the big leagues in 2023, covering 3.1 innings while striking out four and allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks.

Lambert was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Lambert covered three scoreless innings as Colorado's opening pitcher in Saturday's loss to the Tigers, but he's now being sent down in favor of a fresh arm. The 26-year-old has a 6.29 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB across 34.1 innings with the Rockies this season, mostly while working as a reliever. According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, the Rockies plan to give Lambert a longer look in the rotation following the All-Star break, but the right-hander will first get stretched out over the course of about three starts with Albuquerque.

The White Sox selected Shaw's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Shaw is a veteran of 753 career regular-season appearances, but he has yet to pitch at the big-league level in 2023 after he was forced to settle for a minor-league deal with the White Sox this offseason coming off a poor season with the Guardians. The 35-year-old right-hander has pitched respectably at Charlotte this season, logging a 4.03 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB in 22.1 innings. Look for the White Sox to limit his usage to lower-leverage spots initially, but he could eventually work his way into a setup role if he excels early on.

VerHagen (hip) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right hip impingement.

John Denton of MLB.com reports VerHagen has been dealing with hip pain for three weeks. The right-hander tried to pitch through it, but he's given up eight runs (six earned) over his last 9.2 innings. He'll now be shelved for a minimum of two weeks. JoJo Romero was recalled from Triple-A Memphis to take VerHagen's spot in the Cardinals' bullpen.