MLB Player News

Payamps (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

Payamps landed on the COVID-19 IL on June 13, but he spent the last week on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha. He posted a 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 4.1 innings over three minor-league appearances and will rejoin the Royals' bullpen after right-hander Daniel Mengden was outrighted to Omaha on Saturday.

Banda was traded from the Pirates to the Blue Jays for cash considerations Saturday.

Banda was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Monday, but he'll land a spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. If the southpaw joins the major-league roster at some point, he should serve as a middle reliever after he posted a 6.41 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in 19.2 innings over 23 relief appearances to begin the year.

Atlanta reinstated Jackson (lat) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Touki Toussaint was designated for assignment to make room for Jackson on the 40-man roster. Jackson will essentially continue his rehab at Triple-A for a while longer after he missed the first three months of the season with a right lat strain. It would seem Atlanta expects him to contribute at the major-league level in the second half.

Kelley was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Kelley was recalled by the Brewers on Friday, and he allowed a run on two hits and three walks while striking out three in two relief innings against the Pirates. He'll head back to the minors after Aaron Ashby (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Lopez (3-4) allowed two runs on two hits without recording an out, taking the loss and a blown save in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Twins.

Lopez entered Friday with an 11.1-inning scoreless streak, but that ended with a walkoff two-run home run to Byron Buxton. This was the third time all year Lopez has allowed multiple runs in an appearance. He's been steady as the Orioles' closer with a 1.22 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB across 37 innings. Manager Brandon Hyde gave Lopez a vote of confidence by saying a potential save situation Saturday would go to the 29-year-old, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Hughes (1-0) worked around two hits and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Friday against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

Appearing in his 16th game at the MLB level, Hughes earned his first win, though he didn't make it easy. Coming on with one on and one out in the sixth, he struck out the first hitter he faced, but then allowed a single and a walk to load the bases. Another single brought home an inherited runner to make it 5-3 Boston, but a play at the plate prevented any more damage. The Cubs then rallied to score three in the bottom of the inning to set Hughes up for the win. The lefty has a 4.26 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 19 innings this year and should remain in a middle relief role for now.

Castillo struck out one and gave up one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings out of the bullpen Friday in the Blue Jays' 9-2 win over the Rays.

Since yielding two solo home runs in his MLB debut June 19, Castillo has been highly impressive in his subsequent two appearances out of the bullpen. Before blanking the Rays on Friday, Castillo struck out seven over four scoreless innings to save the Toronto bullpen in a 5-4 loss to Milwaukee on June 25. The Blue Jays are likely still planning on developing the 23-year-old right-hander as a starter in the long term.

Wittgren was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Saturday.

Wittgren hasn't pitched since giving up four runs on four hits and no walks while striking out one in one inning June 26, and he'll now lose his spot on the 40-man roster. It's not yet clear whether he'll remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Hicks (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Hicks has been sidelined since late May due to a right forearm injury, but he spent the last week and a half at Triple-A Memphis on a rehab assignment. The 25-year-old posted a 12.60 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in five innings over four appearances (one start) in the minors and should serve as a multi-inning reliever for the Cardinals now that he's back to full health.

Morris (shoulder) has been throwing bullpen sessions at Cleveland's spring training complex, Guardians Prospective reports.

He is reportedly progressing well in his rehab from the shoulder strain he suffered in spring training. Morris could return to game action at Triple-A in the coming weeks if everything goes smoothly, and he could even make his big-league debut sometime in the second half.