MLB Player News

Kahnle is expected to opt out of his minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Monday if he isn't added to the major-league roster, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

After signing late in spring training with Boston, Kahnle stayed behind at the Red Sox's complex in Florida before reporting to Triple-A Worcester in the second week of April. He's been excellent thus far, posting a 1.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 19.1 innings. If the Red Sox aren't able to find a spot on the 26-man roster for the 36-year-old righty, he shouldn't have much trouble securing a major-league deal in free agency.

Pagan (hamstring) underwent an MRI exam Friday that showed positive results, MLB.com reports.

As a result, the reliever has been cleared to run on an anti-gravity treadmill. Pagan was removed from a game May 5 and placed on the 15-day injured list the next day due to a hamstring strain. He's eligible to return at any point but he's still well within his original return timeline of four-to-eight weeks.

Puk (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out one over one inning in a rehab appearance for the Diamondbacks' rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Saturday.

The outing was Puk's third in the ACL while on a rehab assignment. He's allowed two hits and struck out two over three scoreless appearances. The reliever is expected to shift his rehab to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Stewart faced live hitters early this past week but is still experiencing discomfort in his left foot, MLB.com reports.

Stewart landed on the 15-day injured list May 9 due to a bone spur in his left foot. He was originally given a three-week timeline to return, but that period has since come to pass. It's not clear how much longer the continued foot discomfort will keep Stewart on the shelf. At this time, surgery hasn't been viewed as an option for Stewart, but that could change if the discomfort persists.

Scott (1-2) allowed three runs on three hits without recording a strikeout or a walk over one inning, taking the loss and a blown save Saturday versus the Phillies.

Scott allowed an RBI single to Bryce Harper and a two-run home run to Edmundo Sosa in the eighth inning, turning a 3-1 lead into a 4-3 deficit that the Dodgers couldn't bounce back from. This outing ended Scott's 12.1-inning scoreless streak, and it left him with his first blown save of the season. It's just the third time he's been scored upon over 26 appearances this year. The left-hander has a 2.19 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 28:3 K:BB with five saves and five holds over 24.2 innings this year. His usage is unlikely to be disrupted by one bad outing, though Scott may not pitch Sunday since he's been utilized for consecutive games. Alex Vesia is in the same boat, so a potential save chance Sunday could fall to Blake Treinen, who worked a perfect ninth inning in Saturday's contest for his first action since Monday.

Chivilli (shoulder) has resumed throwing off a mound and is slated to throw live batting practice during the coming week, per MLB.com.

Chivilli logged action in only two games with the big-league club before landing on the injured list April 25 due to right shoulder discomfort. He was shut down from throwing for several weeks but has since been able to resume tossing from a mound. Given the length of his absence, Chivilli will likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before he's activated, though it's not clear when that rehab stint will begin.

Duran pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers. He didn't record a strikeout.

Duran has seven saves and a loss over his last eight outings, allowing just one run with a 12:2 K:BB in that span. The Phillies' closer has converted all 12 of his save chances this season and has benefited from the team's improved play under interim manager Don Mattingly after Rob Thomsen was fired. For the campaign, Duran has a 1.53 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings.

Barlow allowed three walks but didn't allow a hit or record a strikeout in one-third of an inning, earning the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Yankees. He was not charged with a run.

The Athletics' bullpen was taxed heavily when Luis Severino (shoulder) exited Friday's game early. That led to some bullpen management, but the plan faltered when Jack Perkins -- who hadn't pitched since Monday -- made a mess of the ninth inning in a non-save situation. Barlow was brought in and threw just nine of 23 pitches for strikes, but he was able to get the final out after allowing all three inherited runners to score. Barlow has earned two saves over his last three appearances, though he doesn't look to be the first-choice option for saves in the Athletics' closer committee. He has a 3.08 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB across 26.1 innings, and he's added eight holds. Both Barlow and Hogan Harris have pitched consecutive days, so any potential save chance Sunday would likely fall to Mark Leiter or Joel Kuhnel. It remains difficult to target any one reliever for saves on a team that has five pitchers between two and four saves on the year.

Pivetta (forearm) played catch Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

Though Pivetta's throwing was on flat ground in the outfield at Nationals Park, it was still a significant step given that it was the first time he has played catch since landing on the injured list April 14. The veteran pitcher is expected to continue playing catch on flat ground for at least two weeks before a determination is made about his next steps. Acee reports that the Padres are being cautious with Pivetta as well as with fellow injured starter Joe Musgrove (elbow). It's quite possible that neither pitcher will be ready to return until after the All-Star break.

Erceg (3-3) blew the save and took the loss Saturday, surrendering three runs on five hits while failing to record an out as the Royals fell 7-6 to the Rangers.

Tasked with protecting a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning, Erceg instead served up a leadoff homer to Joc Pederson followed by four straight singles -- the last being an Ezequiel Duran line drive to right field that brought home Brandon Nimmo for the winning run. It was Erceg's fifth blown save of the season, including three in his last four chances, and he's given up multiple runs in three straight appearances to balloon his ERA from 3.26 to 6.33. Even with Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still lacking a clear timeline for his return, the Royals may have no choice but to audition other closing options in Erceg's place.