MLB Player News

Santana collected his fifth save of the season Friday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on three hits in the ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

It was a low-scoring affair Friday, and Santana was brought in to protect the Pirates' three-run lead in the ninth inning. He was on the back foot immediately after giving up a triple, and after yielding two runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, he was able to close things out by getting Ozzie Albies to fly out to center field. This was far from a convincing performance from Santana, who is competing with David Bednar for saves in Pittsburgh. Santana has a 2.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings this season.

Vest struck out one batter without allowing a hit or a walk in a scoreless ninth inning in Friday's win against Texas.

With Tommy Kahnle holding down the eighth inning following Tarik Skubal's seven-inning masterpiece, Vest was brought in for the ninth to protect the Tigers' one-run lead. He needed only 10 pitches (nine strikes) to get through the inning, finishing things off by getting Adolis Garcia to fly out to center field. It was Vest's fourth save of the season, and his low pitch count Friday should make him available out of the bullpen for Saturday's game. He has a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB across 17 innings this season.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Phillips will be shut down from throwing for two weeks after MRI results revealed inflammation in his right elbow, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Phillips landed on the injured list Wednesday due to discomfort in his forearm, and it now seems like he's due for another extended stay on the IL after being sidelined for the first month of the year due to an injured shoulder. A timeline for the 30-year-old's return may emerge once he's cleared to begin throwing.

Pennington cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 27-year-old was designated for assignment by the Orioles earlier this week but will stick in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Pennington spent just over a week in the big leagues but didn't see action for Baltimore.

The Cubs recalled Cosgrove from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cosgrove takes the roster spot of Caleb Thielbar, who was placed on the paternity list Friday. Cosgrove appeared in one game for the Cubs earlier this season, tossing two scoreless innings of relief, striking out a pair and walking one.

The Cubs placed Thielbar on the paternity list Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Thielbar's wife gave birth Friday, and the left-handed reliever could miss the weekend series against the Mets. In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled Tom Cosgrove from Triple-A Iowa.

The Angels transferred Joyce (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The Angels shut down Joyce's throwing program last week after he reported shoulder discomfort following a round of catch. Now on the 60-day IL, the right-hander won't be eligible for activation until June 10, and it's still unknown how far away he is from throwing again. Shaun Anderson was selected to the active roster from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday to take Joyce's place on the 40-man.

Hall (lat) will continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hall is progressing in his recovery from a left lat strain that he suffered in late February, which caused him to start the season on the 60-day injured list. He's pitched well in his two rehab outings in the Arizona Complex League, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out eight over five scoreless innings. Hall is aiming to throw 60-to-65 pitches Wednesday, and he'll need multiple rehab starts before being reinstated from the IL.

The Angels optioned Johnson to High-A Tri-City on Friday.

The decision to let Johnson pitch in the majors before playing in a minor-league game hasn't quite turned out the way the Angels had hoped, as the 22-year-old righty owns a miserable 7.36 ERA and 1.98 WHIP through 14.2 innings. He'll now look to hone his craft in the lower levels of the Angels' farm system and could potentially be stretched out as a starter. Shaun Anderson was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the void in Los Angeles' bullpen.

Murdock was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of Baseball America reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander has been blasted to the tune of a 13.24 ERA and 2.71 WHIP across 17 innings out of the bullpen. Murdock was Rule 5 draft pick during the offseason, so he'll be offered back to the Royals if he passes through waivers unclaimed. With him removed from the 40-man roster, the Athletics recalled Elvis Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.