MLB Player News

The Orioles acquired Nicolas from the Reds on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

Nicolas had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to his third organization since March. The hard-throwing reliever has spent most of his time this season at Triple-A Louisville, where he held a 5.17 ERA and 20:17 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Samaniego has fared well with the Red Sox this season, posting a 2.66 ERA and 17:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings, but he's being sent out in order to clear a spot for the addition of Tommy Kahnle to the Boston bullpen. The left-handed Samaniego should get another chance with the big club later this summer.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that he will play the matchups in the ninth inning for the short term, but he still views Erceg as a long-term closer option, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Quatraro made the statement prior to Alex Lange notching his first save of the season in Wednesday's win over the Reds. Erceg blew his sixth save of the season Tuesday and holds a 6.45 ERA with a 20:15 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season. While Erceg could still see save chances for the Royals in the immediate future, he will have to contend with Lange, Daniel Lynch and Matt Strahm. Carlos Estevez (shoulder) should also throw his hat back in the ring if he can get healthy.

The Astros announced Friday that Walter (elbow) is in the midst of a throwing progression at the team's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walter is one of three Astros starters in Florida rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, though Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Ronel Blanco (elbow) are further along in their programs after undergoing procedures in May and June of last year, respectively. Both Wesneski and Blanco will have chances at returning from the 60-day injured list late in the season, but since he had his surgery Sept. 23, 2025, Walter isn't a realistic candidate to pitch until 2027. Walter's main focus will be building up toward facing live hitters by the end of the season with the aim of entering spring training with few restrictions, if any.

The Astros announced Friday that Sousa (elbow) has begun a throwing progression, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Sousa was placed on the 15-day injured list May 9 due to left elbow inflammation and was shut down from activity for nearly three weeks before receiving clearance to start playing catch. The left-handed reliever isn't expected to require a lengthy buildup period, but he'll presumably need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL.

The Red Sox selected Kahnle's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Kahnle exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract earlier this week, and the Red Sox have decided to add him to the big-league roster rather than let him reach free agency. The veteran reliever has collected a 1.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 19.1 innings at Worcester and will fill a middle-relief role in Boston.

Harris (3-0) earned the win in relief in Wednesday's extra-inning victory over the Cubs. He tossed a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.

Harris tossed 11 strikes in a 17-pitch inning, and with the A's grabbing the lead in the 10th, he ended up getting his third win of the season. Harris has been excellent in recent weeks and has 12 scoreless outings over his last 13 appearances, with the lone exception a May 19 outing in which he allowed two runs over an inning against the Angels. Over that 13-appearance stretch, Harris owns a 1.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 across 10.1 innings.

Fluharty will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher for Thursday's game in Atlanta, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The southpaw hasn't recorded more than four outs in any of his 32 appearances on the season, so the Blue Jays aren't likely to ask him to work past the first inning Thursday in what will be his third start of the season. Toronto hasn't named a designated bulk reliever to enter the game behind Fluharty, but Chad Dallas was added to the Blue Jays' taxi squad and could be formally called up from Triple-A Buffalo prior to the contest. The Blue Jays also acquired Simeon Woods Richardson from the Twins on Wednesday, and he could be an option to pitch in bulk relief if he's able to join the team in Atlanta ahead of the game's 7:15 p.m. ET start time.

Sterner earned his first save of the season in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Cubs. He tossed a perfect inning while striking out one.

Scott Barlow pitched two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's series opener against the Cubs, so the A's turned to Justin Sterner for the save in the bottom of the 10th inning Wednesday. This was Sterner's first save of the season, and he needed just 14 pitches (10 strikes) to get the job done. The 29-year-old has been on a roll of late and hasn't allowed a run in any of his last five outings (5.1 innings). He's now 1-for-2 in save chances, but he's not expected to take the closer role any time soon.

The White Sox optioned Murphy to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

He's being cleared from the roster ahead of Tyler Gilbert's return from the bereavement list prior to Friday's game in Philadelphia. Murphy has made eight appearances out of the White Sox's bullpen this season, permitting seven runs with a 9:8 K:BB over 9.1 frames.