MLB Player News

Bednar recorded his 26th save of the season in a 5-4 win over Atlanta, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning Saturday. He struck out one.

The veteran closer made things interesting, but Bednar finally shut the door by getting Drake Baldwin to line out to right field. Bednar hasn't blown a save since May 17, converting 16 straight chances while posting a 1.14 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings and adding four wins to his ledger, but after working Friday and Saturday he likely won't be available should the Yankees have another late lead to protect in the series finale Sunday.

The Red Sox are expected option Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

After being called up from Triple-A on Friday, Burgos will head back to Worcester after two appearances with the big-league club. The 27-year-old pitched a scoreless three innings with two strikeouts in Friday's 13-1 win over the Athletics en route to earning a save, then mopped up for three innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss while giving up a pair of solo home runs. The Red Sox will make the transaction official prior to Sunday's series finale and will presumably call up a fresh bullpen arm in a corresponding move.

Vargas (lat) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vargas has been on the shelf all season due to a right lat strain. The right-hander suffered a setback in late April that caused him to pause his throwing progression, but he's since been able to work his way back to the point of taking part in minor-league games. Given the length of his absence, Vargas will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before he's ready to be activated.

The Tigers transferred Hurter (back) to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday to begin a rehab assignment, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Hurter has been on the injured list since late May due to lumbar spine inflammation. He began throwing in late July and is now ready to get back into game action. Hurter is eligible to come off the IL at any time, but he'll probably need to log multiple outings with Toledo before doing so.

Junis (adductor) threw out to 90 feet Friday and expects to toss a bullpen session Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Junis landed on the 15-day injured list July 30 due to a left adductor strain. The fact that he's throwing suggests that the issue isn't severe, and Junis has said that he's hoping for a quick recovery. However, it's unclear at this point if he'll be ready to return when first eligible Aug. 13.

The Rockies reinstated Castano (pectoral) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Castano has been on the injured list since late June due to a pectoral strain. He began playing in rehab games last Saturday and has since allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. Now fully healthy, the 27-year-old will remain in Triple-A for the time being but could return to the majors later in the year as bullpen depth.

The Cubs reinstated Holmes (fibula) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Royals, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Holmes has been on the shelf since May due to a fractured fibula. He made three rehab starts in the minors while he was still in the Mets organization, logging a 3.86 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 11.2 innings. He built up to 73 pitches during his final rehab outing, so he isn't likely to have a significant workload restriction while he makes his Cubs debut against a Royals offense that's posted just a .688 OPS since the All-Star break. Braxton Garrett was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Rangers optioned Peoples to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Peoples has posted a 2.19 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 12.1 innings since joining the Rangers in early July, but he'll end up as the odd man out of Texas' bullpen following MacKenzie Gore's return from paternity leave. Peoples has also performed well at Triple-A this season (2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and is a likely candidate to return to the majors later this season whenever the Rangers need a fresh arm.

The Brewers designated Wilson for assignment Saturday.

Wilson signed an MLB contract with the Brewers in July, and despite turning in a 2.63 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 13.2 innings with the club, he'll now lose his place on the 26-man and 40-man rosters in favor of Lyon Richardson. Wilson owns a 4.24 ERA through 23.1 innings overall this season between the Phillies, Cubs and Brewers, though his recent performance could make other teams more interested in bringing him in off waivers.

The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Petty gave up three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings while serving as the Reds' opening pitcher in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Nationals, and he'll now head back to the minors to open up a spot on the active roster for righty Ron Marinaccio, who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh. Petty now owns a 4.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 31.2 innings this season.