MLB Player News

The Blue Jays recalled Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

With Jesus Sanchez (ankle) moving to the injured list, Pinango will return to Toronto to replenish the big club's outfield depth. The 24-year-old has performed well during his rookie season, slashing .283/.331/.433 with four homers, 18 RBI and 10 runs scored through 136 plate appearances. He'll likely receive regular opportunities while Sanchez and Addison Barger (elbow) are both on the IL.

The Blue Jays selected Keys' contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

After slashing .285/.415/.621 with 21 homers, 54 RBI and 56 runs scored in 67 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Keys will join the big club to provide Toronto's offense with an extra jolt of power. He's set to start at first base and bat sixth during his MLB debut Saturday, but with Vladimir Guerrero, Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer (paternity) already established at first base, third base and DH, respectively, it may be difficult for Keys to crack the starting nine consistently. Davis Schneider was optioned to Buffalo in a corresponding move.

The Royals recalled Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Cerantola has given up six earned runs in 10.2 innings at Triple-A since making his last appearance in the big leagues, but he'll return to Kansas City to help stabilize a Royals staff that went through eight pitchers while giving up 22 runs Friday. Mitch Spence was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding move.

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.