MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Spence was lit up for 10 earned runs in just 1.1 innings during Friday's 22-1 blowout loss, so the Royals will send him back to the minors in favor of Eric Cerantola. Spence has given up at least six earned runs in all three of his MLB appearances this season and owns a 6.47 ERA through 48.2 frames at Omaha.

Hancock will start Sunday's game against the Guardians, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Hancock was originally scheduled to work as the back half of a piggyback plan with Logan Gilbert on Saturday, but the former will now get the opportunity to make a traditional start during Sunday's series finale. George Kirby will be pushed back to Monday's game against the Angels as a result, and it's unknown which two of Seattle's six starters will be used in the team's next piggyback game.

Gilbert will no longer be piggybacked by Emerson Hancock during Saturday's game against the Guardians, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The Mariners reportedly didn't want to disrupt the rhythm that Gilbert has developed recently, per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, so they will allow the 29-year-old to make a traditional start Saturday. Hancock is now set to start Sunday's series finale, pushing George Kirby back to Monday's series opener against the Angels. The Mariners' piggyback-laden rotation plans remain very unpredictable and warrant close monitoring through the All-Star break.

Cantillo didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Mariners, giving up one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.

Aside from a solo homer off the bat of Colt Emerson in the third inning, the Mariners weren't able to muster much offensive production against Cantillo. Friday marked the third time this season that the 26-year-old southpaw collected nine strikeouts in a game, two of which have come in his last two starts. A lack of run support from the Guardians' bats and a collapse from the team's bullpen forced Cantillo to take a no-decision, but he'll still have plenty of momentum working in his favor when he takes on the Rangers at home next week.

Munoz struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 15th save of the season in Friday's 3-1 win over Cleveland.

Munoz struck out Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio to lead off the final frame before inducing a groundout from Kahlil Watson to end the game. With a 4.91 ERA through 29.1 innings, the 27-year-old hasn't been as reliable this year compared to past seasons, but he's now thrown five consecutive scoreless innings and earned a save in each of his last five appearances.

Castillo (3-6) earned the win against the Guardians on Friday, giving up one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out four batters across six innings.

A first-inning RBI double from Kahlil Watson gave the Guardians an early 1-0 lead, but that ended up being the only run Cleveland would score against Castillo, who allowed just three additional baserunners before departing the game after six innings. Friday marked the 33-year-old's first win since the end of May, as well as his first quality start since his season debut March 30. He'll take a 4.93 ERA and 1.36 WHIP into his next start against the Angels, who have turned in a .758 OPS since the beginning of June.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Grisham (hamstring) is expected to return from the injured list during New York's upcoming homestand, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Grisham has been held out of action since June 13 due to a strained right hamstring. He's expected to head out on a rehab assignment before returning to the big club, but it seems like the Yankees will only keep him in the minors for a handful of games before adding him back to the active roster. Once healthy, he figures to reclaim his role as New York's everyday center fielder.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said that Gonzalez (shoulder) won't be activated off the injured list before Saturday's game against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Gonzalez said earlier this week that he was aiming to return to the active roster Saturday. He'll ultimately fall short of his goal, though Tracy noted that the 29-year-old infielder still has a chance to return for Sunday's series finale, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Gonzalez has gone 2-for-18 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored since beginning his rehab assignment June 16.

The White Sox recalled Schweitzer from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Since being sent down to Triple-A in mid-May, Schweitzer has posted a 7.71 ERA and 1.86 WHIP across 21 innings at Charlotte. Despite his poor performance, he'll return to the big leagues to give Chicago a bit of extra bullpen depth following David Sandlin's demotion. Schweitzer will likely be limited to low-leverage work as long as he's up with the White Sox.

The White Sox optioned Sandlin to Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Sandlin gave up just one run over six innings during his start against the Royals on Friday, but he'll now head back to Triple-A with Noah Schultz (knee) expected to rejoin Chicago's rotation next week. Tyler Schweitzer was recalled from Charlotte in a corresponding move.