MLB Player News

Cruz threw a clean ninth inning to secure the save Monday against the Athletics.

Cruz continues to establish himself as Kansas City's favorite for saves. The right-hander has successfully converted each of his last five save chances, with each coming since July 22, and he's been scored upon just five times in his last 24 outings. Cruz, who has a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB over 46.1 innings, should serve as the Royals' closer while the club continues to wait and see if Carlos Estevez (shoulder) will return this season.

Barnett (1-4) took the loss against the Royals on Monday, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

Barnett struggled mightily Monday, landing only 45 of his 83 pitches for strikes in a laborious outing. The right-hander isn't making a strong case to maintain his rotation spot once Jeffrey Springs (hip) returns from the injured list, surrendering three runs or more in four consecutive appearances while failing to log a quality start during that span. Through 40.2 innings, Barnett has a poor 7.08 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 38:24 K:BB.

Bello (5-6) was credited with the win against Arizona on Monday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three across 4.2 innings.

Alec Gamboa served as Boston's opener, recording the first four outs before turning the keys over to Bello in the second inning. Bello allowed two singles in that same frame but escaped without issuing a run, and he kept the Diamondbacks off the board until the fifth inning on a Geraldo Perdomo sacrifice fly. Bello finished his outing having generated six whiffs and six groundouts while tossing 50 of his 76 pitches for strikes. Across 11 bullpen outings, he sports an 0.85 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 45:7 K:BB over 52.2 innings. The Red Sox appear content with their five-man rotation, but Bello should continue to see work in a bulk-relief role when interim manager Chad Tracy wants to give his starters some extra rest.

Baker struck out two while allowing one hit and no walks in 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save Monday against the Orioles.

In a pivotal American League East matchup Monday, the Rays turned to Baker to record more than three outs for the first time this season. The All-Star right-hander continues to be a lights-out closer, last blowing a save May 13 in Toronto. Through 49 innings, Baker boasts a 1.47 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 55:16 K:BB with an MLB-high 35 saves (38 attempts).

The Royals optioned Cuas to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Cuas' latest stint in the majors lasted just under two weeks, with the righty reliever appearing in five games and allowing four hits and two walks over 4.2 scoreless frames. He'll give up his spot on the active roster and in the bullpen to left-hander Connor Thomas, who was recalled from Triple-A.

The Royals recalled Thomas from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Kansas City optioned right-hander Jose Cuas to Triple-A to clear a spot in the bullpen for Thomas, who will provide the club with a left-handed option who's capable of covering multiple innings. The 28-year-old has yet to debut for the Royals but has gotten off to a brutal start to his time in the big leagues. Between stops with Milwaukee in 2025 and Atlanta in 2026, Thomas has been rocked for 27 runs -- all earned -- on 27 hits and eight walks in just 11.2 innings over four total relief appearances.

The Red Sox optioned Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Burgos helped save the bullpen with four innings of one-run ball in Sunday's loss to the Pirates, but he's being sent down a day later. The Red Sox called up Wyatt Olds from Triple-A to take Burgos' spot in the bullpen.

The Red Sox selected Olds's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Olds will receive his first call-up to the big leagues after submitting a 5.33 ERA and 74:28 K:BB over 50.2 frames this season with Worcester. The right-hander -- who turned 27 earlier this month -- will likely provide Boston with some bullpen protection for a short period of time before returning to Worcester.

Bednar (6-3) blew a save but earned the win over Toronto on Sunday, allowing an unearned run over 1.2 innings. He walked one, struck out one and did not yield any hits.

Bednar was brought in from the bullpen in the eighth inning with one out, a runner on first and the Yankees up 2-1. The veteran closer retired both batters he faced in that frame to maintain the lead, then returned to try to close things out in the ninth. The Blue Jays managed to tie the game on Bednar's watch, but that was largely due to an inning-opening error by first baseman Ben Rice, who later redeemed himself with a two-run blast in the 10th that gave New York -- and Bednar -- the victory. The blown save (as undeserved as it was) was just the third of the campaign through 30 attempts for Bednar, who is tied for sixth in the majors with 27 saves overall. He struggled a bit early in the season, but Bednar has been lights-out since May 22, posting a 0.81 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB over 33.1 innings spanning 29 appearances.

The Blue Jays outrighted Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster, but Estrada will remain in the organization after passing through waivers. The 27-year-old righty holds a 6.64 ERA and 19:11 K:BB across 20.1 frames in parts of two seasons for Toronto.