MLB Player News

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

It seemed that Castillo had earned a spot in the rotation, but Thursday's outing against the Rays was apparently just a spot start. The rookie right-hander has a 2.53 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 21.1 innings across his six MLB appearances of two or more innings.

Taylor (elbow) left his rehab assignment for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday after facing just two batters and throwing just 10 pitches, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor has been out with elbow inflammation since early June. Friday's outing marked his third rehab appearance, but things didn't go well, as his fastball was sitting 89-90 mph, well below his season average of 92.6. Whether he's suffered a specific setback or just needs a bit more time to keep building up is not yet clear.

Honeywell (elbow) started Single-A Stockton's win over Lake Elsinore on Friday, allowing an earned run on three hits and a walk over two innings. He struck out one.

Honeywell encouragingly worked up to 31 pitches, 22 which found the strike zone, after topping out at 14 offerings in his rehab debut Tuesday. Assuming the right-hander experiences no residual setbacks from the increase in workload, he's slated to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas next week, as per previous reports.

Brieske (forearm/biceps) is playing catch and doing well, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Brieske has been out since mid-July, first with forearm soreness and then with biceps tendinitis. He'll have the chance to return in September if he continues to trend in the right direction.

Holmes (back) played catch Saturday for the first time since he hit the injured list, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Holmes landed on the injured list Wednesday due to back spasms, but he's already able to throw again just three days later. That suggests his absence may not stretch much past the minimum 15 days, something the Yankees suggested was a possibility when he first hit the injured list.

Barlow (5-4) allowed a hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings to earn the extra-inning win Friday over the Rays.

Barlow's lone hit allowed came in the ninth inning, as Taylor Walls singled but was thrown out trying to advance to second. In the 10th, Barlow got more help from his defense, as initial runner Roman Quinn was caught attempting to steal third base. The tidy outing was Barlow's seventh scoreless one in August -- he's allowed just one run with a 12:2 K:BB through 10 innings this month. The Royals' closer has a 2.18 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 58:15 K:BB while adding 19 saves and five holds through 57.2 innings.

Chapman allowed a run on one hit and two walks over one-third of an inning against Toronto on Friday.

Chapman entered in the ninth inning with New York down by three runs, so his struggles didn't do much to impact the outcome of the game. Nonetheless, it's discouraging that the veteran fireballer was unable to find the strike zone -- he threw just five of 14 pitches over the plate and walked the final two batters he faced to load the bases. Chapman was presumed to be in line to regain his closing role when Clay Holmes (back) moved to the injured list Aug. 16, but since that time Chapman has walked four batters and given up three runs over one inning across two appearances. He hasn't been used in a save situation, but it wouldn't be surprising if Scott Effross is called upon the next time a closer is needed given Chapman's ugly past two outings.

Feyereisen (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Feyereisen threw a bullpen session Friday and will continue ramping up his activity. He has been sidelined since June 3 and will likely require at least a brief rehab assignment before being activated. Prior to going down, Feyereisen had tallied a save and seven holds, so he will likely fit back into high-leverage situations prior to the close of the campaign.

Lopez gave up two walks and struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Friday.

Lopez put two men on board in a one-run game but managed to escape the inning to notch his 22nd save of the season with some help from his defense. Brad Miller scorched a 103.8 mph line drive to right field that was caught for the second out of the inning. Right fielder Max Kepler then threw to second base to double off pinch runner Charlie Culberson who misread the play. Lopez now has three saves and two blown saves since coming over to the Twins at the beginning of August and has a 3.86 ERA in seven appearances during that stretch.

Vespi (5-0) allowed a run on three hits in one inning but collected the win Friday over the Red Sox. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

Vespi was promoted to the majors earlier Friday and immediately got into a game. He was awarded the win after Keegan Akin allowed five unearned runs during a sloppy fifth inning. Vespi has been an effective middle reliever this year with a 4.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB across 21.1 innings while adding a save, a hold and a blown save. With the strength of the Orioles' bullpen, there's little chance Vespi moves into a high-leverage role during this stint on the big-league roster.