MLB Player News

Okert secured his sixth hold Thursday after pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in a 5-1 win over Texas. He hit a batter but did not allow any hits or walks.

Okert entered in the seventh inning and recorded the final out of the frame before returning for the eighth, when he induced a popout and plunked a batter before being pulled. It was the 34-year-old's third straight scoreless appearance out of the bullpen. The left-hander holds a 3.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB through 24 innings on the campaign.

The Rays designated Heasley for assignment Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Tampa Bay is bringing up a fresh arm in Andrew Wantz, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Heasley threw 64 pitches across four innings of relief in Wednesday's 11-2 loss to the Orioles, allowing five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.

The Rays optioned Williams to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Ben Williamson (back) returning from the injured list, Williams will head back to the minors. The 22-year-old has really struggled at the plate across his first 139 big-league trips to the dish, slashing a paltry .155/.204/.302 with five homers, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, two stolen bases and an 8:55 BB:K. He's hit .100 with a .290 OPS across 33 plate appearances this season.

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 60-day injured list Friday with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati reports.

Ashcraft felt discomfort following his last appearance Monday versus the Mets, and an MRI revealed UCL damage. The reliever will not undergo surgery at this point, but he will be given an injection and is expected to miss multiple months. It's a major blow to the Cincinnati bullpen, as Ashcraft has logged a 3.33 ERA and 32:16 K:BB over 27 innings while notching one save.

The Rays activated Williamson (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Williamson returning from his lower-back strain, Carson Williams is being sent back to Triple-A Durham. Williamson last played May 12 and has slashed .268/.349/.339 with zero homers, 14 RBI, 19 runs scored, four stolen bases and a 14:24 BB:K across 127 plate appearances this season while mainly seeing action at second base.

The Reds selected Marte's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Marte will join a big-league roster for the first time since he was with the Phillies in August of 2024. In 20 games with Triple-A Louisville this year, the 31-year-old registered a 5.12 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB. Cincinnati will transfer Graham Ashcraft (elbow) to the 60-day IL to make room for Marte on the active roster.

Thielbar picked up his second hold Thursday after pitching one scoreless inning while allowing two walks and no hits with two strikeouts in a 7-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Thielbar was called upon in relief for the second straight day and registered another scoreless frame. The 39-year-old entered in the seventh inning, striking out Brandon Lowe and Oneil Cruz to maintain the 3-2 lead, though he made things interesting with a pair of walks. Thielbar has posted a 2.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB with two saves and two holds in his 10th major league season.

Fermin picked up his second hold Thursday after pitching one scoreless inning while allowing one walk and no hits with one strikeout in a 7-1 win over Detroit.

Fermin entered the ballgame in the seventh inning and kept the 3-1 lead intact for the Angels. The 24-year-old has cruised through his past seven appearances with no earned runs allowed and seven strikeouts in six innings. The right-hander, who was not originally on the Halos' Opening Day roster, has been impressive overall with a 2.63 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB out of the bullpen.

Bremner (fatigue) will pitch for High-A Tri-City on Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Bremner was removed from a May 5 start due to fatigue but is ready to get back on the mound in a game situation. The 22-year-old right-hander was the No. 2 overall pick in last year's First-Year Player Draft. He's made five starts with Tri-City this season, allowing four runs (three earned) on 14 hits and six walks with 28 strikeouts across 18 innings.

The Padres released Miranda on May 20.

Miranda slashed .268/.308/.482 with five home runs and a 4:26 BB:K over 28 games with Triple-A El Paso. It's not clear whether this was a traditional release or an opt-out situation, but either way, Miranda is now looking to latch on with a new organization.