MLB Player News

Machado was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Machado was called up by the Nationals in early June and posted a 5.59 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 9.2 innings over five relief appearances during his stint with the major-league club. The right-hander will head back to the minors after right-hander Cory Abbott was recalled Friday.

Clase allowed two hits but did not surrender a run in the ninth inning Thursday to earn the save against Colorado.

Clase was tasked with protecting a two-run lead, and he managed to work around a pair of singles to record his 14th save of the season. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 13 appearances, helping him maintain a 1.65 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB across 27.1 innings on the season.

Abbott was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Abbott was claimed off waivers by the Giants in early May and will join the major-league bullpen after spending the last month and a half with the Triple-A club. He made six appearances (two starts) in Rochester and posted a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 13 innings. The right-hander should be deployed as a multi-inning reliever by the Nationals.

Romero (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred to Single-A Clearwater on Friday.

Romero's first rehab appearance came with the Phillies' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, and he struck out the side in a perfect inning. The southpaw will take another step in his recovery process by joining the Single-A club.

Santana (3-2) struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning Thursday, picking up the win over the Tigers.

Santana continues to shine out of the bullpen, and the right-hander has allowed just one earned run over his last 16.2 innings across 15 appearances. During that stretch, he's racked up three wins, one save, five holds, 14 strikeouts and three walks. Santana's ERA on the year stands as 1.40 through 25.2 innings, and the concerning FIP (3.37) and xERA (2.83) figures he had a month ago have been lowered considerably to 2.51 and 2.46.

Smith (1-1) picked up the win Thursday against the Brewers, giving up two hits over a scoreless inning of relief while striking out one.

Entering the game to begin the eighth inning with the score tied 4-4, Smith kept the heart of Milwaukee's order off the board then got rewarded when the Mets pushed across a run in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander has been scored upon only once in his last eight appearances, posting a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 9.1 innings over that stretch, and his high-leverage role has allowed him to amass a career-high 12 holds already in 2022.

Ridings (shoulder) still isn't throwing, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently indicated that he expects it to "be a while" before the reliever returns to action, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Ridings was placed on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder impingement in early April. He began throwing from flat ground in mid-May but was shut down a few weeks later, and he has yet to resume a throwing program. Ridings isn't expected to need surgery, but his return timeline is hazy.

Chapman (Achilles) threw fastballs and sliders off the Yankee Stadium mound Tuesday and will next face live hitters, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Chapman hasn't pitched in a game for the Yankees in over three weeks, but he appears to be nearing a return. The veteran closer has said that he hopes to avoid a minor-league rehab assignment, though it's unclear if the organization has the same stance. Hoch reported Wednesday that manager Aaron Boone plans to use fill-in closer Clay Holmes in high-leverage situations -- not necessarily in the ninth inning -- upon Chapman's return, implying that the latter will still have the opportunity to save games upon his activation.

Criswell (shoulder) is expected to begin throwing simulated games next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Criswell hasn't pitched at all this season after being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation in late March. He recently faced live hitters for the first time and is now expected to progress to tossing simulated games. Criswell doesn't necessarily have a major-league roster spot waiting for him, but he could feasibly begin pitching in minor-league contests by the end of June.

Iglesias struck out three in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Mariners.

Iglesias threw 11 of 13 pitches for strikes to easily protect a three-run lead. It's been a bit of a rough June for the Angels' closer, who has allowed four runs and six hits with seven strikeouts through 5.1 innings in five appearances this month. He's converted 13 of 15 save chances this year while posting a 4.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 32:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings, and he's added two blown saves and a 1-4 record.