MLB Player News

Eisert will be the White Sox's opening pitcher for Friday's contest in Detroit, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Erick Fedde will follow in bulk relief. Eisert has had three previous opening assignments this season, yielding two runs with a 4:1 K:BB over 3.1 innings in those outings.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The right-hander was called up by the Royals in late May and will return to Omaha after giving up seven runs with a 10:9 K:BB over 13 innings during this stint in the majors. Black's demotion clears roster space for Seth Lugo (concussion), who is starting Friday's game against the Cardinals.

The Blue Jays recalled Little from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Little made the Opening Day roster but was sent down in early April after getting rocked for 11 runs (10 earned) over his first 3.2 innings. The 29-year-old appeared to get on track at Buffalo, authoring a 2.31 ERA and 32:19 K:BB across 23.1 frames. Little give the Blue Jays a second lefty in the bullpen alongside Mason Fluharty.

The Blue Jays optioned Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Dallas was just recalled Wednesday and did not make an appearance during his time with the big club. He's being replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Brendon Little.

The Rangers outrighted Otanez to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Otanez cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization as relief depth. The 28-year-old holds a 6.15 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 37:25 K:BB in 26.1 innings this season with Round Rock.

Johnson (0-2) took the loss against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two batters over five innings.

Johnson was called up from Double-A Rocket City to make his first big-league appearance since May 19. Things quickly soured for the right-hander, as he gave up five runs -- four of which came via the long ball -- in the first inning. Johnson was at least able to settle down from there and didn't give up another run while holding the A's to just one hit over the course of his remaining four frames, but the first-inning damage was more than enough to saddle him with the loss on a day when him team's offense couldn't push across any runs. The Angels' rotation recently lost Jack Kochanowicz (elbow) for the year and Grayson Rodriguez (back) for at least 15 days, but the team hasn't clarified if Johnson is going to get additional starts or if another hurler will get a look instead.

Munoz earned the save Thursday against the Orioles, allowing two walks while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Munoz was handed a three-run lead in the ninth and made things a bit interesting. The right-hander issued walks to Gunnar Henderson and Samuel Basallo to bring the tying run to the plate, but the right-hander ultimately closed out the victory to secure his 12th save in 17 opportunities. He's recorded consecutive scoreless appearances for the first time since May 22. Munoz now owns a 5.47 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 39:13 K:BB across 26.1 innings.

Johnson was called up from Double-A Rocket City and will start Thursday's contest against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Johnson will replace Jose Soriano (chest) on the mound in the series opener versus the A's for his second major-league start of the year. The 23-year-old Johnson has posted an inflated 15.12 ERA and 2.64 WHIP with five strikeouts over 8.1 innings in four appearances, including a start, with the Angels this season. After he was sent down to Double-A in late May, he produced a far more respectable 2.65 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 21 punchouts over 17 frames in three starts.

Smith earned the save in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Brewers, working around a pair of walks while striking out two across 1.1 scoreless innings.

After entering the game with two outs in the eighth inning, the right-hander issued a walk to load the bases before striking out Christian Yelich. Smith then turned in a scoreless ninth, earning his league-leading 24th save. The 27-year-old has now converted 21 straight save chances, allowing just four earned runs over 25 innings in that span. His ERA is down to 2.38 with a 1.06 WHIP and 51:8 K:BB across 34 innings this season.

Fluharty turned in a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts to earn the save in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

With Louis Varland, Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Rogers all having pitched in Toronto's previous two games, it was Fluharty who got the call with a one-run lead in the ninth inning Thursday. The southpaw made quick work of the heart of Boston's order, retiring the side on five pitches for his first save of 2026. Fluharty has been solid out of Toronto's pen this season -- he's allowed just three runs in his last 18.2 innings. Overall, he sports a 3.64 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 29.2 innings this season.