MLB Player News

Lawrence was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence has spent the entire season with the big-league club, maintaining a 2.19 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with a 16:10 K:BB across 12.1 innings. Lucas Gilbreath has been recalled in the corresponding move, which gives the Rockies an additional southpaw to throw out of the bullpen.

Junis will start Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Junis made two appearances with the Giants in late April, combining to throw 10 scoreless innings with a 10:1 K:BB. Given that he threw five frames on each occasion, he should be fully stretched out for a regular workload Sunday. It's unclear whether Junis will stick in the rotation moving forward, as the Giants have an upcoming day off Thursday that would allow them to utilize a four-man rotation in the short term.

Lawrence was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Lawrence was called up Wednesday, and he pitched 3.1 innings across two appearances, allowing one earned run. The Blue Jays had to drop a player from the active roster after a doubleheader Saturday, and Lawrence will return to the minors as a result. He should contribute to the big-league bullpen again at some point this season.

Warren (nose) will have surgery May 10, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Warren was hit in the face by a ball during batting practice May 3 that fractured his nose. After surgery, he will rest for a week and then be evaluated. A return in late May is possible.

Duran picked up his second save of the season Saturday against the Athletics, striking out five and allowing one walk in two hitless, scoreless innings.

Duran entered the top of the eighth with a one-run lead and promptly struck out the side. He had a bit more of an adventurous ninth inning, walking Seth Brown with two outs before hitting Sean Murphy, but he struck out Christian Bethancourt to secure the save. He now owns a 3.68 ERA and a 42.1 percent strikeout rate through 14.2 innings this season.

Jax (2-0) picked up the win Saturday against the Athletics, striking out two while allowing one hit across 1.2 scoreless innings.

Jax entered a scoreless tie with one out in the sixth inning and completed the frame without allowing a baserunner. The Twins went ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the inning, and Jax remained on the mound for the seventh, allowing just a two-out double. He now owns a 1.35 ERA in 13.1 innings of relief this season, a far cry from the 6.37 ERA he posted as primarily a starter last year.

Kerr was recalled by the Padres on Saturday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Kerr spent 11 days on the big-league roster earlier in the season but made just one appearance. He could see more opportunities this time around, as he'll be up to replace fellow lefty reliever Tim Hill, who hit the injured list with shoulder inflammation.

Hill landed on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to shoulder inflammation, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Hill has struggled to start the season, striking out just one batter in 5.2 innings while giving up seven runs on 11 hits. He'll now miss potentially an extended period, though the team hasn't specified exactly when he's expected back. Ray Kerr was recalled to give the Padres another lefty in the bullpen in Hill's absence.

Barraclough was called up by the Angels on Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Barraclough owns a career 3.63 ERA over parts of six big-league seasons, though that number jumps to 5.59 across 46.2 frames since the start of the 2019 season. He'll give the Angels another arm in the bullpen, but he'll have to improve on that recent performance if he's to stick around.

Howard was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Saturday.

Howard had already lost his spot on the active roster when rosters shrunk to 26 players Monday. He'll now lose his spot on the 40-man as well as the Pirates clear space to select Michael Perez's contract.