MLB Player News

Johnson allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Tigers.

Johnson had yielded the bulk of recent save opportunities to Justin Lawrence, but the latter hasn't pitched since Wednesday. This was Johnson's fifth consecutive scoreless outing, and it earned him his first save since June 13. The right-hander has a 6.00 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 49:20 K:BB with 13 saves and two holds through 33 innings this season, but Johnson will likely remain in the late-inning mix despite his shaky numbers after being the closer for the first two months of the season.

Robertson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The right-hander was sent to Triple-A to make room for Daniel Hudson (knee), who was activated off the 60-day injured list. Robertson showed some decent flashes during his short time in the Los Angeles bullpen, but a 9.39 ERA and 2.22 WHIP in 7.2 innings suggests there's more work to be done before he'll be a reliable option.

Hudson (knee) was activated off the 60-day injured list Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson will make his season debut after missing the first three months of the season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last June. The right-hander will likely be a high-leverage reliever for the Dodgers and could even see some save chances, but he may be eased into that role over his first few appearances.

Wantz was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Friday.

Wantz gave up four runs over two innings in his only appearance with the Angels in June, and he'll head back to Salt Lake with the Angels adding Victor Mederos to the bullpen in a corresponding transaction. Wantz is likely to be up and down for Los Angeles throughout the summer.

The Angeles selected the contract of Mederos from Double-A Rocket City on Friday.

Mederos registered a 5.98 ERA in his 12 starts with the Trash Pandas, but he also struck out 71 over 55.2 innings. He'll likely be a multi-inning reliever while with the Angels in his first taste of major-league action.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Rodriguez will head back to Triple-A after being called up Saturday. He appeared in four games while in the majors, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over 3.1 innings while striking out three batters over four appearances. With Glenn Otto (lat) returning to the major-league roster Friday, Rodriguez was the one booted from the Rangers' bullpen.

The Rangers activated Otto (lat) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Otto has been on the shelf all season with a right lat strain and will now rejoin the Rangers' pitching staff. He looked good during his rehab assignment, surrendering three runs on six hits while striking out 14 batters and walking only one across 10 Triple-A innings. Given the strength of Texas' rotation, it's likely he'll be relegated to the bullpen -- even if the team chooses to run with a six-man rotation, he'd have to compete with Cody Bradford for the final spot.

King was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

King will head to Round Rock after being called up May 11, having posted a 6.61 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 16.1 big-league innings. With the Rangers acquiring Aroldis Chapman via trade from the Royals, King was the odd man out in the major-league bullpen and will look to earn another call-up later this season.

Chapman was traded to the Rangers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans and minor-league outfielder Roni Cabrera on Friday.

Chapman will head to Texas after he posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 53 strikeouts, eight holds and two saves over 29.1 innings in 31 outings with the Royals this season. He'll join a bullpen with an established closer in left-hander Will Smith and will likely operate in a set-up role with the Rangers. Now that he's seemingly rounded back into form in 2023, Chapman will serve as a significant piece for a Texas team that's in first place in the AL West.

Colorado placed Carasiti on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Carasiti has struggled to a 7.06 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB in 21.2 innings this season out of the Rockies' bullpen. He'll be sidelined through the All-Star break at the very least.