MLB Player News

Montero (0-1) allowed four earned runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Saturday against the Mariners.

Montero was tasked with protecting a three-run lead in the eighth inning, and he retired the first two batters he faced. However, he allowed the next four batters he faced to reach base -- two of which were on infield singles -- to suffer the ugly line and his first loss of the campaign. Montero has otherwise been solid, as he had turned in scoreless appearances in 10 of his 14 previous opportunities.

Jackson picked up the save Saturday against the Royals. He gave up one hit and one walk while striking out two over one scoreless inning.

Jackson grabbed his first save of the season, taking advantage of Trevor May's (personal) presence on the 15-day injured list and Jeurys Familia recently being designated for assignment. May's rehab assignment was recently paused, making it unclear when he might rejoin the A's. Jackson appears to be Oakland's preferred option at closer for now, but he'll likely remain an unsavory fantasy option considering Saturday's win was just the team's eighth of the year.

Fleming will serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Javy Guerra in Sunday's contest versus the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Fleming will be making his return to the mound following a foot contusion he suffered in his last outing Tuesday against the Pirates, which forced him to exit the contest. The left-hander threw a bullpen session Friday and is expected to be able to handle the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen for Tampa Bay on Sunday. Fleming has appeared in six games this season, including one start, producing a 3.18 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 22.2 innings.

Guerra will operate as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's matchup with the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

After being acquired via trade from the Brewers on April 29, Guerra served as the team's opener Tuesday versus the Pirates, walking two batters while pitching two-thirds scoreless to begin the contest. He'll now look to make it two straight scoreless outings since returning to Tampa Bay prior to handing the ball off to Josh Fleming as the Rays go for the series win Sunday. Guerra owns an 8.00 ERA and 2.33 WHIP with five strikeouts over nine innings in nine appearances this season with the Brewers and Rays, though his numbers are inflated by the five runs he allowed to the Pirates over 1.2 innings on April 23.

The Mariners recalled Then from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The 23-year-old righty struck out 11 and notched three saves in seven appearances (nine innings) at Double-A prior to getting the call. Then is known for his bat-missing slider, but he will likely work in low-leverage situations during his first career stint in the big leagues.

Murfee was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with elbow inflammation, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Per Divish, the Mariners don't think Murfee's injury is serious and hoped he could avoid an IL stint, but the team decided to take a long-term view with regard to his health. Juan Then was called up from Double-A Arkansas to take Murfee's place in the bullpen.

Dubin has been placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land with a right elbow strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old righty could have been an option for spot starts in the big-league rotation amid recent injuries to Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy if he'd been pitching well and was healthy. However, Dubin had a 6.27 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 18.2 innings prior to the injury. He should be considered out indefinitely.

Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 12 innings while working in a low-leverage role. The move clears a roster spot for Saturday's starter J.P. France.

Littell's contract was selected from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 27-year-old righty had a 3.82 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 106 innings for the Giants from 2021 through 2022, but he'd been working as a Triple-A reliever for the Rangers prior to getting shipped to Boston for cash. Littell should work in low-leverage spots.

Ort was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

He was recalled Friday and didn't get into a game before being sent back to the minors. Zack Littell, who was acquired from Texas, takes Ort's spot in the bullpen.