MLB Player News

McHugh (undisclosed) fired three scoreless innings in a loss to the Mariners on Friday, allowing two hits and recording three strikeouts.

McHugh spent just a day on the COVID-19 injured list before being reinstated, and he was put right to work Friday in the type of assignment he's proven quite adept in recently. The veteran right-hander now has four consecutive scoreless multi-inning efforts, coaxing his ERA and WHIP down to 2.39 and 1.18, respectively, in the process.

Long will start Sunday's game against the Phillies, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

The lefty will make his first big-league start after pitching two long-relief outings. Manager Gabe Kapler said Long, who figures to fill the fifth spot in San Francisco's rotation, "has really earned the opportunity."

Bazardo (lat) has resumed throwing, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bazardo was shut down for several weeks after he sustained a right lat strain in mid-May, but it's encouraging to see him throwing again. The right-hander will likely need to build back up following his shutdown, so he could be held out of game action until sometime in July.

Yang cleared waivers Saturday and was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.

No team claimed the lefty pitcher after he was designed for assignment Thursday. Despite his struggles, which are highlighted by a 5.59 ERA in 29 innings with a 19:15 K:BB ratio, Yang may find himself back in the Rangers' depth-deprived rotation or bullpen at some point this season.

Diekman went into Saturday's game against the Yankees with holds in each of three consecutive scoreless, one-inning appearances.

The veteran southpaw saw action for the first time in four days Friday night in the series-opening win over the Yankees, sandwiching strikeouts of Clint Frazier and Aaron Judge around a DJ LeMahieu groundout to forge a perfect eighth inning. Diekman was nearly unhittable last season (0.42 ERA, 0.94 WHIP), and even though he's fallen back down to earth some in 2021, his 1.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 over the 6.2 innings covering his last seven outings may be an indication he's started to rediscover his form.

King will begin building up to pitch longer outings and possibly start games, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The lefty will appear in relief Saturday and will begin pitching on a more regular schedule afterwards. Texas hopes King, who posted a 2.40 ERA in 19 minor-league starts in 2019, can provide some much-needed rotation depth.

Leone struck out two in a perfect inning to earn a hold in Friday's 5-3 win over Philadelphia.

The right-hander was called up from Triple-A Sacramento on June 1, and he's delivered solid work out of the bullpen so far. Leone has a 2.08 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB across 8.2 innings. He's also seen some high-leverage work, recording three holds in eight appearances. He's found success with a 95.2 mph average velocity on his fastball, up from 94.8 last year, though he's had some luck in holding opposing batters to a .158 BABIP so far.

Howard gave up six earned runs on four hits and two walks while recording only two outs in Friday's 11-10 win over the Indians.

He surrendered a grand slam to Cesar Hernandez in his worst outing of 2021. Howard threw only 18 of 33 pitches for strikes, leading to his struggles. The lefty had compiled a 2.45 ERA and nine holds in 25.2 innings prior to Friday but saw his earned-run average jump nearly two runs to 4.44 after Friday's blowup.

Alzolay (finger) will start Monday's game against Cleveland, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay has been on the injured list since June 8 due to a blister on his right middle finger, but he's been throwing this week. As long as he doesn't experience any setbacks in the coming days, the right-hander will return to the mound for Monday's series opener.

Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to serve as the 27th man in Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Diaz was sent to the minors at the end of May, but he'll be available as bullpen depth in Saturday's twin bill. He's made five relief appearances since returning to Triple-A and has posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 6.1 innings.