MLB Player News

Puk earned a save against the Pirates on Thursday, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Puk was summoned in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. An error behind him brought the tying run to the plate for Pittsburgh with one out, but Puk retired the next two batters to close things out. The southpaw has successfully converted each of his past four save chances and hasn't allowed any earned runs over eight appearances while posting a 10:1 K:BB since his last blown save May 6. He's emerged as the clear-cut closer for a surprising Marlins squad that ranks third in the National League with 43 wins.

Sandlin (3-3) allowed a run on one walk and struck out one over two innings without giving up a hit to earn the win Thursday over the Athletics.

Oakland was able to open the scoring against Sandlin in the fifth inning after an inefficient four frames from starter Logan Allen. The Guardians quickly replied in their half of the frame to gain the lead didn't look back. Sandlin has allowed three runs, eight hits and four walks while striking out seven over eight innings through eight appearances in June. He has a solid 3.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB over 27.1 innings overall while primarily working in a low-leverage role.

The Red Sox recalled Murphy from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox sent Murphy down to Worcester immediately after he served as the 27th man in Sunday's doubleheader versus the Yankees, and now he'll return for his third MLB stint this season. Despite his 7.01 ERA in Triple-A, Murphy has been stellar in the majors -- he's thrown six scoreless frames while allowing just three hits and striking out eight batters. Brandon Walter was sent back to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Red Sox optioned Walter to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Immediately after making his MLB debut Thursday, the 26-year-old lefty will return to the minors. Walter gave up three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two batters across 6.2 innings out of the bullpen. Chris Murphy will come up from Worcester to take Walter's spot on the roster.

McGough earned his fifth save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Nationals by retiring both batters he faced. He struck out one.

The right-hander picked up a two-out save Wednesday in Milwaukee and was called upon again Thursday after fellow reliever Joe Mantiply was unable to maintain Arizona's four-run advantage. McGough now has saves in each of his past three appearances, and he hasn't given up an earned run in his past 21 frames. Miguel Castro and Andrew Chafin lead the Diamondbacks with seven and eight saves, respectively, but McGough appears to have become the preferred option in the closing committee.

The Pirates recalled Bolton from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

With the placement of Bryan Reynolds (back) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Bolton will fill Reynolds' roster spot and rejoin the Pirates' bullpen. Bolton has been solid in Triple-A but has yet to put it together in the majors, holding a 12.38 ERA and 3.00 WHIP through eight innings.

Iglesias (3-2) earned the win Thursday in Philadelphia after he struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning.

The veteran right-hander delivered a perfect top of the ninth to preserve a scoreless tie, and he picked up the win since Atlanta outscored Philadelphia 5-1 during the extra frame. Iglesias had been scored upon in three of his previous four outings, so a clean inning Thursday was a welcome sight. He has a 4.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB over 19.2 innings this year and remains the club's primary closer.

The Twins optioned Ortega to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Ortega was selected from Triple-A on Tuesday and surrendered two earned runs over one inning during his appearance against Boston. He'll now return to the minors to open a spot for Kenta Maeda (triceps), though Ortega will retain his spot on the 40-man roster.

The Mets will promote Nittoli from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets acquired Nittoli in a trade with the Cubs earlier this month, and now New York will call on him to help bolster its bullpen. The 32-year-old reliever holds a 3.81 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 26 innings in Triple-A this season and threw two scoreless innings in the majors with Philadelphia last year.

Barnes (hip) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Thursday marks Barnes' first bullpen session since landing on the injured list June 2 with a left hip impingement. He'll presumably throw another few sessions before beginning a rehab assignment in the coming weeks.