MLB Player News

Helsley (elbow) pitched one inning with two strikeouts and no hits allowed for Triple-A Norfolk in his second rehab appearance Saturday.

Helsley turned in a 1-2-3 inning on just 14 pitches. Baltimore has missed the right-hander's presence in the back end of the bullpen since he was placed on the injured list May 1. Before being deactivated, Helsley posted a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB with seven saves in 10.2 innings. He should settle back in as Baltimore's closer once he returns from the shelf.

Tampa Bay optioned Englert to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

In his most recent stint with the Rays, Englert pitched in two games, allowing just one run on four hits with a 6:2 K:BB over nine innings. He threw 65 pitches while covering four frames Friday against the Angels, so he was likely going to be unavailable for a few days, and Tampa Bay decided to send him down to make room for Craig Kimbrel (wrist) to return from the injured list. Englert could be back with Tampa Bay the next time the team needs a reliever capable of covering multiple innings.

The Rays activated Kimbrel (wrist) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Kimbrel landed on the IL due to a right wrist strain in late May, and he ended up needing only the minimum amount of time on the shelf. The veteran reliever will now resume his low-leverage role in Tampa Bay's bullpen. He has pitched in just one game since joining the team off waivers May 26, tossing a scoreless inning against Baltimore.

Ragans (elbow) had a throwing session cut short Friday and will undergo additional testing, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

According to manager Matt Quatraro, Ragans "woke up yesterday [Friday], not feeling as well arm-wise." The southpaw still attempted to throw, but he had to cut the session short. As a result, Kansas City has elected to have Ragans sent in for more testing, which will take place "in the next couple of days." The 28-year-old had progressed to throwing bullpen sessions in his rehab from a left elbow impingement, but the setback may push back his timeline to rejoin Kansas City's rotation.

Blanco (elbow) tossed 40 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and will soon start a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Blanco has been sidelined all season while continuing his recovery from last June's Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. The right-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions for a few months and progressed to facing live hitters in late May. Blanco now appears ready to return to game action in the FCL, though he isn't expected to be ready to pitch for the Astros until after the All-Star break.

Smith struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to secure the save in Friday's win over the Tigers.

Smith needed just 13 pitches to retire the side in order, picking up a strikeout of Riley Greene in the process, to convert his 19th straight save chance. The 27-year-old righty remains on top of the MLB saves leaderboard with 22 and boasts a 2.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with a 47:5 K:BB through 31.1 innings.

The Rangers designated Otanez for assignment Saturday.

Otanez has spent the entire season in the minors, and he'll now lose his place on the 40-man roster after posting a 6.15 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 26.1 innings. Joe Ross was selected to the big-league roster in a corresponding move.

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.