MLB Player News

The Rangers promoted Otanez from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Otanez will rejoin the big-league club for the first time since being designated for assignment June 13. With Round Rock this season, the right-hander owns a 5-1 record, 4.42 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 74:42 K:BB over 55 innings. Texas optioned Robby Ahlstrom to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Texas optioned Ahlstrom to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Ahlstrom will head back to Triple-A after spending just under three weeks with the big-league club. In six games after being called up, the southpaw yielded four earned runs while striking out six over 5.2 innings. The Rangers are recalling Michel Otanez to replace Ahlstrom on the active roster.

Bowlan was diagnosed with a mild right groin strain Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Although Bowlan was diagnosed with a strain, the Phillies will hold off on placing him on the IL because they believe he will be able to return before the end of the season. When healthy, the 29-year-old has been one of the most reliable members of Philadelphia's bullpen, posting a 3.36 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 56.1 innings.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Knack was recalled Thursday and went on to log four shutout innings against Cincinnati in the series finale. The 28-year-old will head back to Oklahoma, where he sports a 2.08 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB over 34.2 innings this season. His major-league stint will come to an end with Edwin Diaz (neck) being activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Dodgers activated Diaz (neck) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Diaz has been officially cleared to return from his neck injury. The veteran reliever will serve in low-leverage situations upon his return and is unlikely to see many save opportunities unless favored closer Tanner Scott is unavailable. Across five rehab outings, Diaz allowed six runs on four hits and seven walks while striking out four across 4.1 innings.

Holderman was forced to exit Thursday's rehab outing with Triple-A Columbus after aggravating his right wrist injury, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Holderman was in the final stages of his recovery from right wrist inflammation that caused him to land on the 15-day injured list. However, the 30-year-old relief pitcher has suffered a setback in his rehab program and will undergo more tests to determine next steps.

Chapman downplayed his lat issue Friday, saying he's "not worried at all" about the injury and plans to pitch again during Boston's final regular-season homestand next week, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

Chapman said he first felt the injury Tuesday, and he's improved throughout the week. With Boston closing in on a playoff berth, the team will likely be conservative with its star closer. Garrett Whitlock handled the ninth inning of Thursday's 4-3 win over the Rangers, locking down his fourth save of the season. it sounds like Chapman will be unavailable for this weekend's set with the Rays.

The Blue Jays selected Rodriguez's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Acquired from the Dodgers back on Sept. 1, Rodriguez takes the roster spot vacated by Michael Lorenzen, who was DFA'd in a corresponding move. Rodriguez pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 36:18 K:BB across 29.1 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to being dealt to Toronto.

The Blue Jays designated Lorenzen for assignment Friday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Lorenzen was tagged for five runs on four hits and three walks with just one strikeout across two innings in Tuesday's 10-1 loss to the Tigers, as he was saddled with his 13th loss of the campaign. After joining Toronto last month, Lorenzen pitched in six games out of the bullpen, yielding 11 runs on 18 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts over 11.2 frames.

Mayza will serve as the opener for the Phillies in Friday's game against the Mets, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Mayza will likely handle the first inning before Jose Urquidy takes over in bulk relief. The left-hander has been excellent this season when used as an opener, allowing just one run with a 10:1 K:BB over 9.1 frames.