MLB Player News

Ragans (elbow) threw a second bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Ragans' bullpen session Friday comes on the heels of a 23-pitch session Wednesday. The continued throwing is an encouraging sign, and the Royals will determine the next steps in his recovery after evaluating how the 28-year-old feels over the weekend. The southpaw has been on the injured list since May 8 with a left elbow impingement and made a rehab start May 23, but his progression was paused after he experienced discomfort in the aftermath of the outing. Before being sidelined, Ragans posted a 1-4 record with a 4.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB across 35.1 innings (eight starts).

The Nationals recalled Poulin from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Poulin will return to Washington's bullpen after giving up three earned runs in five innings since his demotion to Triple-A in late May. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 3.28 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 24.2 frames with the Nationals this season and will presumably work in middle relief as long as he's with the big club.

Romo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Romo will take a seat for the second time in three games after having started each of the White Sox's previous three contests. Edgar Quero will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Butler went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a walk in Friday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Substituted in for Colby Thomas in the fifth inning, Butler made the most of his opportunity by reaching base in all three plate appearances. The outfielder was caught in a rundown in the seventh inning but was ultimately bailed out by a Hunter Goodman throwing error and came in to score the go-ahead run. Butler later added an RBI single in the eighth frame to provide some insurance. It has been a disappointing season overall for the 25-year-old, who is hitting .175 with four homers, 17 RBI, 19 runs and four stolen bases across 186 plate appearances. Those struggles have notably cut into his playing time, though Brent Rooker (knee) landing on the injured list could create an opportunity for Butler to get more opportunities moving forward.

Bell isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Bell has notched a hit in each of Minnesota's last five games, but he'll move to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Byron Buxton will move into the DH spot with Bell out, giving Ryan Kreidler a start in center field.

The Pirates optioned Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Kelly will head back to the minors after giving up two earned runs in 2.1 innings during his MLB debut Friday. The 22-year-old owns a 4.50 ERA and 1.48 WHIP through 54 frames at Indianapolis while working primarily as a starter and could be called upon to make additional appearances for the Pirates later in the season -- likely as a long reliever. Isaac Mattson was recalled from Triple-A to fill the open spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen.

The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Mattson will rejoin the Pirates' bullpen after posting a 1.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings since being optioned to Triple-A on May 20. Antwone Kelly was optioned to Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Muncy went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Muncy came through with a two-RBI double off the wall in left-center field to tie the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning. The third baseman added a single in the eighth frame, marking his first multi-hit effort since returning from the injured list Monday, albeit across just three contests. Overall, Muncy is hitting .240 with a .702 OPS, 10 extra-base hits (two homers), 11 RBI, 17 runs and two stolen bases in 29 games.

The Pirates optioned Flores to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Flores went 2-for-5 and notched his first MLB home run during his brief run with the Pirates, but he'll head back to Triple-A now that Henry Davis has returned from paternity leave. Flores could return to Pittsburgh later in the season if the big club's catcher depth is tested again, though most of his time will likely be spent in the minors.

The Pirates reinstated Davis from the paternity list Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Davis returns to the active roster after spending the past three days away from the team to welcome the birth of his first child. Rafael Flores was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.