MLB Player News

Montero walked one and didn't strike out a batter over three scoreless, no-hit relief innings Saturday to record his first career save in a 3-0 win over the Rangers.

While it wasn't a conventional save, the 25-year-old right-hander certainly saw high-leverage usage as he tossed 23 of 36 pitches for strikes to complete a combined shutout begun by Jack Flaherty, the pitcher whose return from the IL bumped Montero to the bullpen. Over his last four appearances (two starts), Montero has delivered an impressive 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 19 innings while collecting two wins in addition to Saturday's save. Given the Tigers' issues this year at the back of the bullpen -- Kenley Jansen has a 5.23 ERA and has blown four of 13 save chances, while Will Vest (elbow) and Kyle Finnegan have been charged with five blown saves each -- manager A.J. Hinch could continue to get creative with how he deploys Montero.

Flaherty (2-8) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Rangers, scattering three hits over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Texas didn't even get a runner into scoring position against Flaherty until a Josh Jung double in the sixth inning, which proved to be the last batter the right-hander would face. Flaherty held a 5.81 ERA at the end of May, but since then he's turned things around with a 1.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:7 K:BB in 23.2 innings over five starts, a stretch that was interrupted by a two-week stint on the IL due to an ankle injury. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Phillies.

The Yankees optioned Beck to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Beck was called up earlier Saturday to make a start against Minnesota in place of Carlos Rodon (elbow), who landed on the 15-day injured list Friday. Beck was the pitcher of record in the Yankees' 11-4 loss, allowing five runs on five hits (including three home runs) and two walks while striking out three batters over 3.2 innings. The Yankees will need to add a new starter to the mix when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up again Thursday at Tampa Bay.

The Royals placed Kolek (personal) on the Family Medical Emergency List on Saturday.

Kolek's next start is tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Mets, though it's unclear whether he'll be with the team at that time. He took the loss in his last start against the Rays on Thursday, when he allowed three runs on four hits and one walk across two innings without recording a strikeout. Prior to that outing, Kolek spent some time on the paternity list and then the family medical emergency list before rejoining the team Thursday. The Royals recalled right-hander Jose Cuas from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

Matthews was removed during the fifth inning of his start Saturday against the Yankees due to a right foot laceration, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Matthews kept the Yankees off the board through three innings, but he unraveled a bit thereafter. His struggles may have been due in part to the foot injury, and he'll end his day having allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings. It's unclear whether the injury will prevent Matthews from making his next turn through the rotation, with his next start tentatively lined up for next weekend at home against the Angels.

Miller (hips) was reinstated from Triple-A Toledo's 7-day injured list Saturday, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Miller landed on the 7-day IL in late March due to injuries to both sides of his hips. He has been cleared to return to Triple-A after posting a 0.89 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB in 20.1 frames across six rehab outings in the lower minors.

Hancock will no longer piggyback starter Logan Gilbert in Saturday's game against the Blue Jays and will instead make a start in Sunday's series finale, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

For a second straight weekend, the Mariners have made the late decision to nix a Gilbert/Hancock piggyback plan and instead have both pitchers make their own starts. Hancock looked good in his last appearance this past Sunday against the Guardians, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six across 5.2 innings in a no-decision. The 27-year-old right-hander sports a 3.47 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 87:22 K:BB across 90.2 innings this season.

Gilbert is no longer set to be piggybacked by Emerson Hancock in Saturday's game against the Blue Jays and will instead be in line for a traditional start, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

For the second weekend in a row, the Mariners have made a late decision to scrap the Gilbert/Hancock piggyback tandem in order to let both pitchers make standalone starts. Since surrendering a season-high seven starts in a loss to the Padres on Mariners, Gilbert has submitted a 2.08 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 50:10 K:BB in 43.1 innings over his last seven starts.

Rocker had his scheduled start pushed to Sunday against the Tigers, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Cal Quantrill will now serve as the Rangers' starter Saturday while Rocker takes the mound for Sunday's series finale. Rocker is coming off a quality start against the Blue Jays this past Sunday and has a 3.02 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 43:18 K:BB over his last nine starts (47.2 innings).

Scherzer (back) threw three innings in a rehab start for High-A Vancouver on Friday, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three.

In his first game action since June 10, Scherzer built up to 49 pitches (33 strikes) and reportedly felt good afterward, per Doug Miller of MLB.com. The 41-year-old righty has dealt with a litany of injuries this season, most recently back spasms, and he's expected to need at least two more rehab starts before he'll be an option again for the Toronto rotation. Over six big-league outings and 22 innings this season, Scherzer has produced an ugly 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB.