MLB Player News

Barlow (6-4) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win Wednesday over the Guardians.

Barlow kept the deficit at one run in the top of the ninth inning, and he didn't issue a walk or record a strikeout. The Royals then rallied for two runs to make him the winning pitcher. Barlow has allowed five runs in 17.1 innings since the start of August, though he's kept runs off the board in his last three appearances. The 29-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 65:17 K:BB through 65 innings while adding 21 saves and six holds as the Royals' primary closer this year.

Soto worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save Wednesday against the Angels. He struck out three.

Soto made things interesting, but he covered things up by striking out the side for just the second time this season. The lefty now has 25 saves, a 3.60 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 50 innings this year. Soto has had some ups and downs, though he's been locked in as Detroit's closer since Opening Day and should stay in that role the rest of the way.

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Castillo made a spot start for the Royals on Sunday and allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in 4.2 innings against the Tigers. Although he was relatively effective while filling in, he'll head back to the minors since Zack Greinke (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Pop was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Pop served as the 29th man for Monday's doubleheader against the Orioles, and he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen a few days later after Mitch White was sent down. Over 26 relief appearances between the Marlins and Blue Jays this year, Pop has posted a 3.25 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 27.2 innings.

The Blue Jays optioned White to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Reliever Zach Pop was called up from Triple-A to take White's spot on the 28-man active roster, but it's unclear whom the Blue Jays may turn to to replace White as their No. 5 starter. White's demotion comes after he was lit up for 18 earned runs on 19 hits and seven walks in 12 innings over his last three starts.

Alexy was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Alexy was called up at the end of August, and he gave up two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two in 2.1 innings in his lone appearance during his stint with the big-league club. The right-hander will head back to the minors after Cole Ragans (calf) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Pivetta (calf) will start Wednesday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Pivetta exited his most recent outing Friday with a left calf contusion, but he won't be forced to miss a turn through the rotation after he checked out fine following his between-starts throwing session. The right-hander will carry a 9-10 record, 4.37 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 150.1 innings into his 28th start of the season Wednesday.

Payamps (3-4) was charged with a loss against Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing one earned run on two hits over one inning.

Payamps didn't exactly come into the ideal scenario when entering in the game in the fifth inning, as he inherited a two-on, two-out jam from starter Cole Irvin. Payamps surrendered a two-run single to the first batter he faced, Marcell Ozuna, before getting Robbie Grossman on an inning-ending flyout. Payamps had generated six scoreless appearances in the seven outings prior to Tuesday's stumble, and he still sports a 3.00 ERA across 51 innings over 36 appearances between Kansas City and Oakland this season.

Karinchak struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Royals.

Regular closer Emmanuel Clase had pitched three straight days, so he was presumably unavailable Tuesday. Karinchak stepped up and needed just 12 pitches (eight strikes) to deliver his first save of the season. He had a rough return to the majors with three runs allowed in his first two appearances, but Karinchak has since rattled off a 24-inning scoreless streak with a save, four holds and a win in his last 22 outings. For the year, he has a 1.04 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB through 26 innings while reclaiming a setup role in a strong Guardians bullpen.

Foster was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Foster made just one appearance during his week in the big-league bullpen, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning. The 27-year-old will head back to the minors after Michael Kopech (knee) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.