MLB Player News

Smith (0-3) allowed four runs on five hits and no walks in a third of an inning to take the loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Smith had been dominant in his last six appearances, as he converted on all four of his save chances and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five in six scoreless innings. However, he entered Thursday's contest in the ninth inning with the game tied at four runs and gave up three singles and two doubles to put him in line for the loss. While Smith's rough outing was discouraging, he still has good job security as Atlanta's closer if he can return to form in the near future.

Bolton recently underwent right knee surgery, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Bolton was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, and he's projected to return to full baseball activities in 4-6 months. The right-hander is viewed as one of Pittsburgh's top pitching prospects but could miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign following his surgery.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said after Thursday's 8-4 win over Atlanta that Borucki has been dealing with fatigue in his left arm, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Montoyo was careful to note that Borucki isn't dealing with an injury, and the Blue Jays are optimistic that he'll be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series with the Phillies. Borucki's last relief appearance came back on May 7.

Double-A Altoona transferred Bolton (knee) from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 22-year-old right-hander will likely be out until at least the middle of the summer while he recovers from a knee injury he sustained in a recent workout. Bolton is viewed as one of the Pirates' top pitching prospects.

The Red Sox optioned Bazardo to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

One day after joining Boston as a replacement on the active roster for Nick Pivetta -- who was placed on the COVID-19-related injured list -- Bazardo will now be heading to the minors after the Red Sox activated Pivetta. The 25-year-old right-hander gave Boston two scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Athletics.

The Red Sox reinstated Pivetta from the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday.

Minutes after manager Alex Cora told the media that he was hopeful Pivetta would feel well enough to start Friday's game against the Angels, the Red Sox activated the right-hander. Now in the clear after experiencing some adverse effects from his second vaccine shot earlier this week, Pivetta should face few limitations, if any, during Friday's outing. Boston optioned reliever Eduard Bazardo to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

Manager Alex Cora said Pivetta (illness) was feeling better Thursday, leaving the Red Sox optimistic he'll be ready to start Friday's game against the Angels, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Boston placed Pivetta on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday after he experienced side effects of a second vaccine shot. The transaction gave Boston some extra flexibility in the short term, but the team will have to make a corresponding roster move in order to reinstate Pivetta. Assuming Pivetta is continuing to feel well Friday, he should be cleared to take the hill for the series opener.

Lawrence was returned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Lawrence served as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres but didn't make an appearance. He'll now head back to the minors going forward.

Mills was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Mills struck out one in a scoreless inning during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers. However, he'll now head back to the minors as part of a shuffle after right-hander Paul Sewald's contract was selected by Seattle.

Sewald's contract was selected by the Mariners on Thursday.

Sewald signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners during the offseason but was unable to break camp with the club after he served as a non-roster invitee this spring. The right-hander made two appearances (one start) for Triple-A Tacoma to begin the season and struck out 10 in 4.1 scoreless innings.