MLB Player News

The Rangers optioned Curvelo to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Texas added Curvelo to its bullpen Thursday, but he'll head right back to Triple-A after giving up three earned runs in one inning Friday against Boston. The 25-year-old now owns a 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP through 8.1 innings with the Rangers this year and will likely have to show signs of improvement at Round Rock before getting another shot in the big leagues. Joe Ross was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move.

The Rangers selected Ross's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Ross has put up a 2.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 12.1 innings at Round Rock since signing a minor-league deal with the Rangers in late May. His strong showing will earn him another chance in the majors, though he'll likely be limited to low-leverage work after allowing eight earned runs in 3.2 frames with Arizona earlier this year. Luis Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A to free up room on the active roster, and Michel Otanez was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

The Tigers optioned Madden to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Madden has posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 20 innings with the Tigers this season, but he'll end up as the odd man out of a roster spot following Tarik Skubal's (elbow) return from the injured list. Madden's strong performance in the majors makes him a likely candidate to return later this summer whenever Detroit needs a fresh arm.

Estevez (shoulder) increased his intensity and volume in a flat-ground throwing session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez is slowly progressing in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain suffered during a rehab assignment May 6 while working back from a left foot contusion. After a return to throwing May 27, the right-hander is increasing the intensity of his work, which is an encouraging sign. A formal timeline for the next steps in the veteran's progression and his return to Kansas City remains unclear, though bullpen sessions and facing live hitters would likely be among the next milestones. Lucas Erceg initially took over as the Royals' primary closer in Estevez's absence but has struggled mightily, opening the door for Alex Lange, who has converted four saves in June.

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).

Banda (2-0) earned the win Friday against the Cardinals after allowing one hit over two-thirds of an inning.

Banda entered the game with one out in the eighth inning and allowed a single to JJ Wetherholt that loaded the bases. However, he retired Ivan Herrera with a popout and Alec Burleson with a flyout to end the threat. Banda has been outstanding for the Twins of late and hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 14 appearances (13.1 innings) dating back to May 10, posting a 13:6 K:BB in that stretch.

Pearson (1-0) earned the win Friday against the Royals with two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

Pearson did a good job finding the strike zone with 13 strikes on 15 pitches, and he made quick work of the seven batters he faced despite allowing a single to Salvador Perez in the sixth inning. Pearson hasn't allowed any runs in six of his seven outings this season and figures to continue as a middle reliever for Houston. He owns a 3.12 ERA across 8.2 innings and seven outings so far.

Avila (1-3) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Astros after allowing eight runs on five hits, including two home runs, and three walks over two-thirds of an inning.

Avila gave up two home runs to star slugger Yordan Alvarez while being responsible for eight of the nine runs the Astros scored in the first inning. This was a step in the wrong direction for Avila, who was coming off back-to-back starts in which he'd allowed just one run over five frames. Avila, who carries a 7.02 ERA over his last five starts, is slated to make his next start on the road against the Nationals.

Hader recorded his second save of the season while pitching a perfect inning in Friday's 10-8 win over the Royals. He didn't record a strikeout.

Hader has gone 2-for-2 in save chances this season, and he looks as dominant as ever despite not making his season debut until June 3 following a left shoulder strain that kept him sidelined for the first two-plus months of the campaign. Hader owns a 7:1 K:BB in five appearances in 2026 and has yet to allow a run or a hit.

Morris earned his second save of the season in Friday's 9-8 win over the Cardinals by pitching a perfect ninth inning. He didn't record a strikeout.

Yoendrys Gomez has recorded three of the Twins' prior four saves, but it was Morris who pitched the ninth inning Friday and got the job done on just nine pitches (six strikes). It was Morris' second save of the season, and he also snapped a run of three straight outings allowing at least one run.