MLB Player News

The Rockies selected Castellano's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Castellano has spent most of the season at Double-A Hartford, though he made his last appearance at Albuquerque and pitched six shutout innings while striking out seven batters and allowing three men to reach base. The 25-year-old will now get a chance to show what he can do in the majors while presumably working in a long-relief role. Jeff Criswell was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Castellano on the active roster, and Valente Bellozo was outrighted to Albuquerque to free up a 40-man spot.

Sewald struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save in Friday's win over Cincinnati.

Sewald needed eight pitches to strike out Dane Myers to lead off the inning, but it took just five more offerings for Sewald to collect the final two outs and lock down his 16th save of the season -- good for fourth in the National League. The 36-year-old righty has been much more effective recently than his 3.20 ERA might suggest, allowing just one run and striking out nine batters across his last 10 innings.

Smith struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to secure the save in Friday's win over the Tigers.

Smith needed just 13 pitches to retire the side in order, picking up a strikeout of Riley Greene in the process, to convert his 19th straight save chance. The 27-year-old righty remains on top of the MLB saves leaderboard with 22 and boasts a 2.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with a 47:5 K:BB through 31.1 innings.

The Pirates placed Dotel on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain.

Dotel gave up four earned runs in just 1.2 innings during his appearance Friday, and his strained lat may have been a factor in his poor performance. He'll now remain out until at least June 28, and the Pirates will bring up Brandan Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill the void in their bullpen.

The Pirates recalled Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Bidois was sent down to Triple-A on Friday, but he'll turn around and head right back to Pittsburgh following Wilber Dotel's (lat) move to the injured list Saturday. Bidois has turned in a 4.05 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 13.1 innings with the Pirates this season, but a 7.08 FIP will likely ensure he remains far away from high-leverage opportunities.

The Rangers designated Otanez for assignment Saturday.

Otanez has spent the entire season in the minors, and he'll now lose his place on the 40-man roster after posting a 6.15 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 26.1 innings. Joe Ross was selected to the big-league roster in a corresponding move.

The Rangers optioned Curvelo to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Texas added Curvelo to its bullpen Thursday, but he'll head right back to Triple-A after giving up three earned runs in one inning Friday against Boston. The 25-year-old now owns a 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP through 8.1 innings with the Rangers this year and will likely have to show signs of improvement at Round Rock before getting another shot in the big leagues. Joe Ross was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move.

The Rangers selected Ross's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Ross has put up a 2.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 12.1 innings at Round Rock since signing a minor-league deal with the Rangers in late May. His strong showing will earn him another chance in the majors, though he'll likely be limited to low-leverage work after allowing eight earned runs in 3.2 frames with Arizona earlier this year. Luis Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A to free up room on the active roster, and Michel Otanez was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

The Tigers optioned Madden to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Madden has posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 20 innings with the Tigers this season, but he'll end up as the odd man out of a roster spot following Tarik Skubal's (elbow) return from the injured list. Madden's strong performance in the majors makes him a likely candidate to return later this summer whenever Detroit needs a fresh arm.

Estevez (shoulder) increased his intensity and volume in a flat-ground throwing session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez is slowly progressing in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain suffered during a rehab assignment May 6 while working back from a left foot contusion. After a return to throwing May 27, the right-hander is increasing the intensity of his work, which is an encouraging sign. A formal timeline for the next steps in the veteran's progression and his return to Kansas City remains unclear, though bullpen sessions and facing live hitters would likely be among the next milestones. Lucas Erceg initially took over as the Royals' primary closer in Estevez's absence but has struggled mightily, opening the door for Alex Lange, who has converted four saves in June.