MLB Player News

The Blue Jays designated Banda for assignment Monday.

Toronto traded for Anthony Bass and Zach Pop to fortify the bullpen, so Banda was expendable. Banda had a 5.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 26 innings through 30 appearances.

The Blue Jays acquired Pop and Anthony Bass from the Marlins in exchange for minor-league infielder Jordan Groshans on Tuesday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Pop has a 3.60 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB in 20 innings of relief this season for the Marlins. Four of the eight earned runs he's yielded came in one appearance July 25, so he's been effective for the most part. Saves will be hard to come by as long as Jordan Romano is healthy and pitching well, but Pop should see ample opportunities for holds while working in the middle innings going forward.

The Blue Jays acquired Bass and right-hander Zach Pop from the Marlins on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Jordan Groshans, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Bass arrives in Toronto in the midst of an exceptional 20-appearance run in which he submitted an 0.46 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 19.2 innings while gathering six holds. Though he won't be a threat to Jordan Romano's role as the Blue Jays' closer, Bass should provide an upgrade over the team's existing setup options. He'll also be more than a rental piece for the Blue Jays, as his contract contains an affordable $3 million team option for 2023.

Hentges (3-2) pitched a perfect 11th inning with one strikeout to earn the win Monday over the Diamondbacks.

Hentges extended his scoreless streak to 5.2 innings over his last five appearances with the clean frame, and Amed Rosario hit a walkoff single for the win. After a rough stretch in late June and early July, Hentges appears to have gotten himself back on track. He owns a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB in 38 innings as a middle reliever this year.

Akin recorded his second save of the season in Monday's 7-2 win over the Rangers, giving up one run on two hits over three innings while striking out three.

Aside from a solo shot by Nick Solak, Akin was in control over the final third of the game. The southpaw has thrived in a long-relief role this season, posting a 2.43 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB over 59.1 innings while adding two wins and two holds to his saves total.

The Orioles recalled Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

He'll fill the opening on the 26-man active roster that was created when closer Jorge Lopez was dealt to Minnesota earlier Tuesday for four minor-league pitchers. The departure of Lopez should pave the way for Felix Bautista to take over as the Orioles' closer, while Vespi is expected to settle into a middle-relief role while he's up with the big club. Over his previous 14 appearances with Baltimore spanning 16.1 innings, Vespi has generated a 4.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB.

The Oriolesn="Baltimore Orioles" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" data-league-abbreviation="MLB" data-team-abbreviation="BAL">Orioles acquired Cano, right-hander Juan Nunez and left-handers Cade Povich and Juan Rojas from the Twins on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Jorge Lopez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Povich is the top prize in the deal for the Orioles, while Cano is the most MLB-ready of the four prospects that Baltimore received in return for its closer. The 28-year-old Cano made 10 relief appearances for Minnesota this season before being optioned Monday to Triple-A St. Paul, with whom he's produced a 1.90 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 23.2 innings. He could join the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk to begin his tenure with his new organization, but expect the right-hander to get another look in the big-league bullpen at some point in August or September.

The Twins acquired Lopez from the Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for left-handers Cade Povich and Juan Rojas and right-handers Yennier Cano and Juan Nunez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Since dealing Taylor Rogers to the Padres on Opening Day, the Twins have taken a committee approach at closer, but Lopez should immediately step in as the team's clear-cut preferred option in save situations. A first-time All-Star this season, the right-handed Lopez turned in a 1.68 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 54:17 K:BB in 48.1 innings for Baltimore while converting 19 of his 23 save opportunities. With Lopez now in Minnesota, Felix Bautista becomes the top in-house option to take over as the Orioles' closer.

Barlow allowed two hits and struck out two over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the White Sox.

Barlow needed this one -- he allowed seven runs (three earns) across two appearances spanning one inning versus the Yankees in the Royals' previous series. The right-hander was able to finish off the multi-inning save on 27 pitches (20 strikes). He's now 17-for-20 in save chances with a 2.36 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB across 49.2 innings this year. Barlow's closer role should be considered safe for now, especially if he can string together a few scoreless outings.

Houston acquired Smith from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for right-hander Jake Odorizzi, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.

While moving from the closer's role into setup duty in 2022 following Atlanta's offseason pickup of Kenley Jansen, Smith hasn't been as stout of a performer, but he remains tough against lefties and will bolster Houston's bullpen for the stretch run. Expect him to continue serving in a setup role in Houston ahead of Ryan Pressly, who will be entrenched as the Astros' closer, health permitting.