Varland struck out one in a perfect seventh inning during Friday's loss to the Royals.

He fired 12 of 14 pitches for strikes in his Toronto debut. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Twins, Varland entered the game with his new team down 5-1, but he should quickly slot into a high-leverage role for the Jays, joining Yariel Rodriguez, Seranthony Dominguez and Yimi Garcia (elbow) as right-handed setup options in front of closer Jeff Hoffman.

The Royals designated Hatch for assignment Saturday.

Hatch will be jettisoned from the Royals' 40-man roster after giving up two run in one inning during his season debut Friday. Jonathan Bowlan was also optioned off the active roster Saturday to make room for Ryan Bergert and Bailey Falter.

The Royals optioned Bowlan to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Bowlan will depart Kansas City's bullpen to help make room for new additions Ryan Bergert and Bailey Falter on the active roster. Bowlan owns a 4.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 26.2 innings in the majors, though he may return to the Royals down the stretch if the big club needs a fresh arm.

Hanifee (3-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits while retiring only two batters to take the loss in Friday's 5-4 defeat to the Phillies.

After starter Jack Flaherty allowed just one run across six innings, the Detroit bullpen allowed four runs (three earned) in only two innings to let the game slip away. Hanifee was right in the middle of the collapse, and he allowed his first earned run since July 2, snapping a streak of nine appearances in which he allowed just two unearned runs. The righty still has a solid 3.10 ERA overall this season, and he should remain a key piece of a Detroit relief corps that added several reinforcements before the trade deadline.

Smith (3-4) came away with the win against the Twins on Friday after tossing two perfect innings while striking out three batters.

Smith was dispatched in the ninth inning to keep the game tied at 2-2, and his efforts were rewarded after Kyle Manzardo walked off the Twins in the 10th with an RBI single. Smith appears to be the next man up at closer for the Guardians with Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary leave through Aug. 31 as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation. In 21 appearances since the beginning of June, Smith boasts a 3.32 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB across 21.2 innings.

The Rays optioned Kelly to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

After posting a 5.93 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 27.1 innings with the Rays, Kelly will lose his place in the big-league bullpen. His departure will make room on the roster for right-hander Adrian Houser, who was acquired in a trade with the White Sox on Thursday.

Wilson earned the save after throwing two clean shutout innings with three strikeouts during Friday's 6-3 win over the Angels.

Wilson was asked to get the final six outs of the game Friday and looked extremely sharp while doing so, sending the Angels down in order two times in a row to pick up his second save of the season. After a tough July in which he allowed 16 hits and seven runs in nine innings pitched, the 30-year-old needed this kind of outing. The right-hander holds a 2.92 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched as one of the most trusted options out of the White Sox bullpen.

Garcia (1-6) allowed two runs on two hits while failing to record an out, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Mariners on Friday.

Garcia gave up a walk-off two-run home run to J.P. Crawford. This was Garcia's first blown save since June 14 versus the White Sox, though he also took a pair of losses while pitching to a 1.13 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over eight innings in July. The Rangers added Phil Maton from the Cardinals and Danny Coulombe from the Twins at the trade deadline, both of whom earned holds prior to Garcia's blown save. That suggests Garcia will maintain closing duties for now, though any extended struggles will likely cost him the role. He's managed a 3.05 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB with nine saves, 11 holds and four blown saves over 41.1 innings this season.

Topa is likely to be used as the primary setup man ahead of new closer Cole Sands after the Twins traded most of their bullpen Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He allowed a hit in a scoreless seventh inning in Friday's 3-2 loss against the Guardians.

Topa was used in the seventh inning with the Twins tied 2-2, which was a high-leverage role, though he was not being used with a lead. Still, Baldelli's comments show Topa will have an increased role in the bullpen and could be a candidate for save chances if Sands struggles.

Sands will likely work as the primary closer after the trades of Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Louis Varland, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Sands and Justin Topa to be prepared for late-inning high-leverage roles.

Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he's taken a step back this season with just an 18.8 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent last season. He's had the most success of the remaining bullpen arms, so he'll likely get a decent trial in the role. Topa will become the primary setup man.