MLB Player News

Joyce (shoulder) faced hitters in a live bullpen session Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's the first time Joyce has faced hitters since being shut down from throwing in mid-May. This is a promising sign for the right-hander as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery that he underwent in July of 2025. A clearer timeline for Joyce's return to the majors should emerge once he's been given the green light to embark on a rehab assignment.

Seattle transferred Criswell (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster that the Mariners needed for Miles Mastrobuoni, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma after Julio Rodriguez (concussion) was placed on the 7-day IL. Criswell was diagnosed with a Grade-1 pectoral strain in mid-June but has since been tagged with a shoulder strain. The move to the 60-day IL doesn't change his projected return for early August, though a clearer timeline won't be established until Criswell embarks on a rehab assignment.

The Athletics reinstated Leiter (hip) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Leiter was placed on the 15-day IL on June 18 due to a right hip impingement. He's been cleared to return to the majors without embarking on a rehab assignment and will reclaim his spot in the A's bullpen. Geoff Hartlieb was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Orioles recalled Nunez from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

With Ryan Helsley (elbow) back on the 15-day injured list, Nunez will rejoin the Baltimore bullpen after posting a 4.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB across 34.1 innings spanning 32 appearances this season prior to being sent down 17 days ago.

The Orioles placed Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow discomfort.

Helsey felt discomfort in his elbow while warming up in the bullpen Wednesday, and he'll now miss at least the next couple weeks. The right-hander missed seven weeks with elbow inflammation earlier this season and just returned from the injured list two weeks ago. Rico Garcia figures to be next in line for saves for Baltimore.

The Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

He'll swap places with Franco Aleman, who was summoned from Columbus in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Espino made his major-league debut last month and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with nine strikeouts across his first five big-league innings out of Cleveland's bullpen.

The Astros transferred Sousa (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move was made in order to activate Cristian Javier (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list. Sousa hasn't pitched since May 4 and this doesn't alter his timeline, as he's still expected to rejoin the Houston bullpen following the All-Star break in a couple weeks. He's working his way back from elbow inflammation.

The Guardians recalled Aleman from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Aleman has been dominant at Columbus this season, authoring a 0.32 ERA and 43:7 K:BB over 28.1 innings. The big righty gave up one run over two outings covering 2.2 frames earlier this season with the big club. Aleman has the upside to be used in high-leverage situations, but the Guardians will likely deploy him in middle relief for now.

The Astros optioned Ullola to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

Ullola couldn't have fared much better in his first two big-league appearances this week, logging four scoreless frames with a 7:0 K:BB and only two hits allowed. He should get another opportunity sooner rather than later, but for now Ullola's roster spot will be taken by Cristian Javier (shoulder), who is due back from the injured list Friday.

The Athletics designated Krook for assignment Thursday.

Krook was roughed up for seven runs with a 5:4 K:BB over 3.2 innings during his brief time with the big club. The lefty has been outrighted previously, so he could elect free agency if he passes through waivers.