MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Snider to Triple-A Omaha following Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Snider is one of 10 players who will come off the 26-man active roster with Kansas City needing to clear room for the 10 players returning from the restricted list ahead of the team's next game Friday against the Rays. During his two-day stint with the big club, Snider didn't make any appearances out of the bullpen.

The Royals reversed Zerpa's option to Double-A Northwest Arkansas and transferred him to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Zerpa didn't pitch for the Double-A club after he was sent to the affiliate following his spot start for Kansas City in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays. He rolled to his second career big-league victory in the outing, working five innings while allowing an earned run on four hits and two walks. With Daniel Lynch (finger) moving back to the 15-day injured list Sunday, Zerpa could be a candidate to rejoin the big-league rotation if Jonathan Heasley (shoulder) isn't ready to return from the IL when the Royals next require a fifth starter July 26 versus the Angels.

Akin pitched a perfect inning in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings win over the Rays.

Akin began the year with 19 straight appearances of two innings or longer, but three of his four outings in July have been shorter than two frames. He started to falter a bit in June, but he's managed to give up just one run in 5.2 innings in July. For the season, the southpaw has a 2.26 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:13 K:BB with a save, two holds and a 1-1 record through 51.2 innings in a long-relief role.

Perez walked one and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning, earning a hold in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings win over the Rays.

Perez was brought in to protect a two-run lead in the 11th inning, but he put a man aboard and faced only the minimum three batters. Joey Krehbiel then got the final out to secure the save. With five holds and two runs allowed in eight appearances in July, Perez continues to function in a setup role. He has a 1.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 31 innings overall while notching one save, 14 holds and a 4-1 record in 37 outings. As it stands, Perez is the Orioles' top high-leverage lefty.

Lopez (4-5) picked up the extra-innings win Saturday over the Rays. He allowed an unearned run on one hit and a hit batsman and struck out three over two innings.

Lopez covered the ninth and 10th innings, though he allowed the Rays to pull even on a Ji-Man Choi single in the 10th. After starting July in shaky form, Lopez has recorded six straight innings without giving up an earned run, and he owns a stellar 9:0 K:BB in that stretch. He's still got excellent season numbers with a 1.62 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 51:15 K:BB in 44.1 innings while converting 17 of 21 save chances.

Mills has a 3.18 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 5.2 innings since he was called up by the Royals.

Mills has kept runs off the board in five of his six appearances, and he's earned two holds. He's been slightly more effective than he was with the Mariners to begin the season. The right-hander owns a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB across 14.1 innings between the two teams, though his 2.33 FIP suggests he's seen a little bad luck, which could lead to modest improvements in the second half of the campaign.

Payamps (2-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits without recording an out, taking the extra-inning loss Saturday versus the Blue Jays.

Payamps allowed a leadoff double to Vladimir Guerrero and three straight singles after that to let a two-run lead slip away. In five appearances in July, Payamps has struggled with a 7.94 ERA and 1.94 WHIP, though he's managed a 5:0 K:BB across 5.2 innings in that span. He has a 3.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB in 31.2 innings overall, most often serving in low-leverage situations.

Vest was placed on the paternity list Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vest will be away from the team as he attends the birth of his child. Considering the All-Star break begins Monday, the right-hander could be ready to go by the time the Tigers play again July 21.

Moran (calf) struck out four in a perfect two-inning appearance out of the bullpen in Friday's 6-2 loss to the White Sox.

Moran had been nursing a bruised right calf coming out of his most recent appearance Tuesday against the Brewers, but he avoided a trip to the injured list and was flawless in his return. Unless he's used out of the bullpen in Sunday's series finale with the White Sox, Moran will head into the All-Star break with a 1.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP to go with 27 strikeouts across 18 innings with the big club this season.

Alexander and the Tigers won't face the Guardians on Sunday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Cleveland.

Alexander had been scheduled to make his fifth start of the season Sunday in what would have been a bullpen day for the Tigers, but the postponement ends up thwarting those plans. The two teams are scheduled to make up the postponed contest Aug. 15 in a traditional doubleheader.