MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks recalled Strowd from Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Strowd has spent the entire season at Triple-A, turning in a 4.95 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with a 19:16 K:BB through 20 innings. He'll now be summoned to the major-league roster to help replace Brandon Pfaadt and Taylor Clarke (bereavement), though Strowd will likely be limited to low-leverage opportunities with the big club.

Gusto will start Friday's game against the Rays, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Tyler Phillips is also expected to pitch in what could be a piggyback start for the Marlins. Gusto threw just two innings and allowed three runs in a relief outing Tuesday versus the Nationals in his first big-league appearance this season. However, while he will be pitching on just two days' rest Friday after tossing 40 pitches Tuesday, Gusto had lasted five-plus innings in five of his last seven outings for Triple-A Jacksonville prior to his promotion, so he's capable of pitching deeper into games than he did Tuesday.

The Diamondbacks placed Clarke on the bereavement list Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Clarke will miss between three and seven games while he tends to personal matters. With Brandon Pfaadt also on the move to Triple-A Reno, Kade Strowd and Philip Abner will come up from the minors to round out Arizona's bullpen.

The Diamondbacks optioned Pfaadt to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Pfaadt could be stretched out into a starter in the near future, and his demotion to Triple-A suggests that the D-backs are already putting that plan into motion. While the 27-year-old works on building up his workload, Kade Strowd and Philip Abner will come up from Reno to fill the open spots in Arizona's bullpen.

Roupp (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday and is on track to make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Cubs, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Roupp pitched through back discomfort in his previous start Monday in Milwaukee, but he's recovered well enough to avoid missing a turn in the rotation. The right-hander has accrued a 4.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 72:27 K:BB over 64 innings covering 12 starts this season.

The Orioles designated Nunez for assignment Thursday.

Nunez was just acquired via trade from the Athletics in May, but the Orioles will now clear him off the 40-man roster to make room for a new trade acquisition in Kyle Nicolas. The 26-year-old Nunez has posted a 7.13 ERA and 21:19 K:BB across 17.2 frames in the minors this season.

The Orioles acquired Nicolas from the Reds on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

Nicolas had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to his third organization since March. The hard-throwing reliever has spent most of his time this season at Triple-A Louisville, where he held a 5.17 ERA and 20:17 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Red Sox transferred Story (abdomen) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Story underwent surgery two weeks ago to repair a sports hernia. He had seemed to have a chance to make it back before missing 60-plus days, but now Story is ineligible for activation until after the All-Star break. Marcelo Mayer will continue to serve as Boston's primary shortstop while Story recovers.

Ortiz isn't expected to get promoted to the Nationals' big-league roster before at least the All-Star break, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Acquired from the Rangers this offseason as part of the MacKenzie Gore trade, Ortiz is tearing up Triple-A right now, hitting safely in 10 straight games with a .381/.438/.952 slash line, seven homers and 23 RBI over that stretch. The Nationals could use some left-handed power on their bench, but they prefer to let the 24-year-old first baseman continue to get regular playing time rather than bringing him up in a reserve role.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Samaniego has fared well with the Red Sox this season, posting a 2.66 ERA and 17:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings, but he's being sent out in order to clear a spot for the addition of Tommy Kahnle to the Boston bullpen. The left-handed Samaniego should get another chance with the big club later this summer.