MLB Player News

Jimenez (shoulder) fired a perfect inning during which he struck out the side in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Albuquerque on Friday.

Jimenez made his rehab debut as expected and pounded 12 of his 16 pitches in for strikes during his dominant frame. The right-hander is slated to make another relief appearance with the Aviators on Sunday, and the the Associated Press reports manager Mark Kotsay will then meet with Jimenez to determine next steps.

Barlow (4-4) allowed six runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Friday versus the Yankees.

Barlow was brought in for a high-leverage assignment in the eighth inning, but he left it responsible for six of the Yankees' eight runs in a massive rally. With seven runs (three earned) allowed in his last two outings, Barlow is unlikely to be available for a save chance if one arises Saturday. He owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 46:13 K:BB across 47.2 innings, though his 3.83 FIP is a career high, which suggests more regression may be on the way. If Barlow's struggles continue much longer, Josh Staumont or Taylor Clarke could be the next men up for closing duties.

Clase allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Rays.

Since the start of June, Clase has allowed one earned run, nine hits and two walks in 24 innings, a dominant stretch even by his lofty standards. He's converted 15 saves in that span and is now 22-for-24 in save chances this year. The Guardians' closer owns a 1.28 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 44:6 K:BB in 42.1 innings overall.

Hader allowed one hit and struck out three batters in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his league-leading 29th save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox. He did not walk a batter.

The left-hander threw only 12 of 22 pitches for strikes, and the only blemish against him was a one-out single from Bobby Dalbec. Hader gave up 12 runs over his last six outings prior to the All-Star break, though he's been better since the intermission with one run allowed and a 7:1 K:BB across four frames. He doesn't appear to be fully back to his dominant early-season form but is trending in the right direction.

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

The 23-year-old made a pair of starts ahead of the All-Star break but moved to the bullpen over the last week since Yusei Kikuchi is now back to full health. Castillo struck out one in two scoreless innings over his last two relief appearances but will head to the minors after Trent Thornton was recalled Saturday. Castillo will likely be used as a starter in the minors, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Thornton was sent down in early July but posted a 1.08 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 8.1 innings over six minor-league appearances since then. The right-hander should serve as a multi-inning reliever in the Blue Jays' bullpen after Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday.

Kowar was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Kowar was called up Wednesday, and he gave up two runs on two hits and two walks while failing to strike out a batter in one-third of an inning during Friday's game against the Yankees. He'll head back to the minors after Jonathan Heasley (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Heasley (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Saturday's start against the Yankees.

Heasley spent just under three weeks on the injured list due to right shoulder tendinitis, but he tossed 60 pitches during a rehab start at Triple-A Omaha on Sunday. He'll likely have his pitch count monitored during Saturday's matchup and will attempt to improve upon his results since he posted a 9.56 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 16 innings over his four starts leading up to his absence.

Phillips earned a hold against the Rockies on Friday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Julio Urias gave the Dodgers seven strong innings, and Phillips was summoned in the eighth as the bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel. Phillips struck out Ryan McMahon and Connor Joe to begin the frame before getting Brian Serven to pop out. The righty reliever has been impressive again in July, allowing just one run and three hits over 10 innings while posting a 12:3 K:BB. He's earned three wins, a save and five holds across his 11 appearances this month.

Abreu (2-0) was credited with the win against Kansas City on Friday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit.

New York trailed when Abreu entered the contest in the eighth inning, and he kept the deficit to two with a scoreless frame. The right-hander then moved into position for the win as a result of the Yankees exploding for eight runs in the bottom of the frame. Since latching on with the Yankees on June 21, Abreu has allowed only two runs over 15.1 innings while posting a 16:4 K:BB.