MLB Player News

Castano was removed from Thursday's game against the Reds in the bottom of the first inning after being hit in the head by a comebacker, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Castano was called up prior to Thursday's start and allowed a run on two hits and no walks while failing to strike out a batter in two-thirds of an inning prior to his removal. The ball that ricocheted off his head was 104.3 mph off the bat, and the left-hander was thankfully able to walk off the field under his own power. While it's encouraging that Castano didn't require a cart to get off the field, the extent of his injury isn't yet clear. Even if he doesn't require an IL stint, he isn't guaranteed another turn through the rotation since Jesus Luzardo (forearm) will likely be in the mix to return next week.

Lopez (4-6) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in one inning, taking the extra-inning loss versus the Rays on Wednesday.

Lopez put the first four batters he faced aboard, and Randy Arozarena had a two-run double during that Rays rally. The Orioles didn't have a second comeback push in them, leading to Lopez taking his first loss since July 2. This was only the fourth time all year the closer has allowed multiple walks in an outing. He has a 1.71 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB through 47.1 innings while going 19-for-23 in save chances.

Gillaspie was called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Gillaspie will return to the Orioles' active roster for a third stint in the big leagues this season. The right-hander has produced a 4.35 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with four strikeouts over 10.1 innings in 11 appearances with the squad. Nick Vespi was optioned to Norfolk in a corresponding move Thursday.

Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Vespi will return to Norfolk after he appeared in two games following a call-up Monday. The left-hander tossed three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out six. Beau Sulser and Logan Gillaspie were called up Thursday to replace him and Tyler Wells (side) on the active roster. Vespi will remain a top candidate to return to the big leagues moving forward.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre activated Garcia (finger) from its 7-day injured list Thursday and assigned him to Double-A Somerset, Matt Kardos of MLB.com reports.

Though Garcia was initially moved to the IL on May 31 after experiencing a loss of feeling in his fingers, he appeared to overcome that issue quickly. However, because Garcia had struggled mightily at Triple-A before landing on the IL -- he turned in a 10.38 ERA and 2.26 WHIP in 21.2 innings -- the Yankees opted to have him stay at their extended spring training facility to work on his mechanics. Garcia will make his return to game action as a member of Somerset's rotation, but he shouldn't have to wait long for a promotion to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he fares well in his initial outings at Double-A.

The Marlins announced Castano will be called up from Triple-A Jacksonville to start Thursday's game in Cincinnati, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano will be entering the rotation as a replacement for Max Meyer (elbow), who was moved to the 15-day injured list over the weekend. Before he was optioned to Jacksonville on July 15, Castano made nine appearances (six starts) for Miami, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB across 35 innings. The southpaw may just be making one turn through the rotation before heading back to Triple-A, as Jesus Luzardo (forearm) could be ready to come off the 60-day IL when the Marlins next require a fifth starter Aug. 2.

Puk pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Astros on Wednesday.

Not long after Puk tallied his first career save on July 22, he was called upon to close the door once again. He came through with a perfect ninth inning to lower his ERA to 2.13. Wednesday's appearance in a save situation might be the most important of the two, since Puk came in to start the ninth rather than to bail out a struggling Lou Trivino. It could be a sign that Puk is inching his way into Oakland's closer role. However, Trivino and Zach Jackson had each pitched in two consecutive games and might have been unavailable. The Athletics' bullpen roles are worth monitoring since the team is expected to be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline.

Poche (3-1) allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out two in the ninth inning to earn the win Wednesday against the Orioles.

Poche entered the game with a one-run lead but allowed a solo home run to Jorge Mateo to blow a save chance for the second consecutive day. He's struggled since late June, allowing nine earned runs across 11.2 innings and 13 appearances. Pete Fairbanks picked up the save in the 10th inning after the Rays retook the lead, further complicating the closer picture in Tampa Bay.

Fairbanks earned a save against the Orioles on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect 10th inning.

Tampa Bay had a chance to win in regulation, but Colin Poche blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning. After the Rays scored twice in the top of the 10th, Fairbanks was summoned to close things out and succeeded on only 11 pitches. This was the right-hander's fourth outing since making his season debut July 17, and it was the first time he has gotten through an appearance without allowing a baserunner. No reliever appears likely to be given the role of full-time closer in the Rays' system, so Fairbanks could earn an additional save chance or two along the way, but he doesn't currently appear to be among the top choices in such situations.

Melancon earned a save over the Giants on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.

Melancon preserved a two-run ninth-inning lead, but not without difficulty. The veteran closer allowed two of the first three batters he faced to reach base before setting down the next two hitters. Melancon has had some blowups this season, but he's posted a 2.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over his past 25 appearances dating back to May 18. He's converted 14 of 16 save opportunities on the season, so his role as Arizona's closer appears decently secure for the time being.