MLB Player News

Lauer didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Tigers, allowing one run on three hits over three innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

A solo shot by Spencer Torkelson in the second inning was the only blemish on Lauer's line, but the southpaw was lifted after just 40 pitches (31 strikes). He's been very effective in his four big-league appearances this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB through 12 innings, but the Blue Jays have been reluctant to let him go too deep into games. He'll continue to help fill out the rotation along with Jose Urena, and one or both pitchers could be deployed when the team next needs a fifth starter, a spot which could come up next weekend in Tampa Bay.

Wells was pulled from his start with Double-A Chesapeake on Saturday due to left abdominal discomfort, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

There's not much detail about the severity of the injury, though it's encouraging that it's not an arm issue. Wells has pitched well with Chesapeake this season, maintaining a 3.08 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 23:6 K:BB across 26.1 frames.

Kittredge (knee) threw a scoreless inning while allowing one walk and striking out two Saturday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Norfolk.

Kittredge made appearances on consecutive days for the first time since beginning his rehab assignment May 4. He's now made six appearances between Norfolk and High-A Aberdeen, striking out six batters while allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings. Kittredge looks on track to return from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week.

Treinen (forearm) began playing catch Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

This marked Treinen's first activity since hitting the injured list April 19. He isn't eligible to be activated until June 18, and he still has to go through a lot of rehab work before it will be clear if returning around the 60-day minimum will be a reasonable expectation.

Diaz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Yankees.

The veteran right-hander's adrenaline was pumping, and Diaz topped out at 100 mph on a fastball before fanning Aaron Judge with a 98.6 mph heater to end the game. That's a big step up from the career-low 96.6 mph Diaz has been averaging with the pitch this season, and it's an encouraging sign as he produced his eighth straight appearance without allowing an earned run. The 31-year-old sports a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB through 18 innings, and he's a perfect 10-for-10 in converting save chances.

The Dodgers optioned Loutos to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Loutos gave up two runs in one inning during Friday's loss and will now head back to the minors after one appearance to make room for Clayton Kershaw (toe/knee), who was activated from the IL to start Saturday's game.

Manager Bob Melvin announced Saturday that Birdsong will replace Jordan Hicks in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Birdsong lost the race for a rotation spot during spring training, but his 2.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 23.1 innings out of the bullpen, combined with Hicks' struggles as a starter, will cause the two pitchers to swap roles. Birdsong's first start of the season will come Tuesday against the Royals, who own the fourth-lowest scoring offense (157 runs) and sixth-worst OPS (.662) in the majors.

The Guardians optioned Kent to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Kent has bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the majors this season. His most recent stint with the big club was a short one -- he was recalled Tuesday and got into one game, allowing two runs in one inning against Milwaukee on Wednesday, before being sent back down. Kent's movement to the minors corresponds with Cleveland activating starter Slade Cecconi (oblique) from the injured list.

Kansas City recalled Sisk from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Sisk and Noah Cameron were both summoned from Triple-A in moves corresponding with Seth Lugo (finger) and Cole Ragans (groin) landing on the injured list. Whereas Cameron will enter the Royals' rotation, Sisk will provide bullpen depth for the time being. In two games with Kansas City earlier this season, Sisk allowed two hits and posted a 5:2 K:BB over 2.1 scoreless frames. The left-hander's stay on the big-league roster may be short; fellow reliever Taylor Clarke is currently on the paternity list but should return early next week, and the Royals may need to call up a starter from the minors to fill the second vacated rotation spot.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Cousins (forearm) has been shut down for a few days due to a pectoral injury, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Boone added that Cousins' latest injury isn't anything too serious, so the team seems to just be sitting him down as a precaution. The 30-year-old reliever has been working his way back from a right forearm strain since the start of the season and should still be able to make it back to the Yankees' bullpen in June, assuming his pec injury doesn't evolve into anything severe.