MLB Player News

Manager Brandon Hyde named Bautista, Cionel Perez and Dillon Tate as the candidates to closer for Baltimore after Jorge Lopez was traded to the Twins on Tuesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista was the presumptive closer for the Orioles in the immediate aftermath of the trade, but it sounds like Hyde will employ a matchups-based approach for the ninth inning. The right-hander has three saves and 13 holds to go with a 1.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 34.4 percent strikeout rate in his first taste of big-league action this year, so he's the logical candidate to head Baltimore's committee, though that doesn't necessarily mean he'll receive the bulk of the save chances.

Kelly (biceps) picked up a hold and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Athletics.

Kelly had been removed from his previous appearance last Wednesday against the Rockies after experiencing right biceps discomfort, but he only needed a couple days of rest to avoid a trip to the injured list. The hold was his 11th of the season, tying Jose Ruiz for second on the team behind Kendall Graveman.

Hearn was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hearn was demoted last week but will rejoin the Rangers on Tuesday with Jon Gray (oblique) headed to the injured list. Hearn will remain in the bullpen despite the open rotation spot, as he's pitched well in relief over his last three outings with a 1.59 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 11.1 innings.

Espinal was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Espinal had his contract selected Monday but will head back to the minors without making his major-league debut. The 25-year-old has a 3.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB over 13 innings since being promoted to the Triple-A level in mid-July.

Cuas was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

The Royals needed to open up a roster spot for Luke Weaver, and Cuas will be the pitcher who heads to the minors in the corresponding move. He has posted a 3.18 ERA over 22.2 big-league innings this season, so chances are he will rejoin the big club at some point before the campaign comes to a close.

Jimenez (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Jimenez has been sidelined by a strained shoulder for the past six weeks, but he'll rejoin the Athletics' active roster Tuesday after making two minor-league rehab appearances. The 28-year-old has a 4.38 ERA and is 11-for-13 in save chances this season, and he should be in the ninth-inning mix alongside A.J. Puk and Zach Jackson after Lou Trivino was traded to the Yankees.

Chavez and Tucker Davidson were traded from Atlanta to the Angels on Tuesday in exchange for Raisel Iglesias, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Chavez's role in the deal is presumably to offset some of Iglesias' contract, as the Angels don't have much use for a 38-year-old reliever on an expiring contract in the final two months of a lost season. The veteran righty could potentially find himself with sudden fantasy relevance, however, as his 2.66 ERA and career-best 27.2 percent strikeout rate make him one of the best relievers in a bullpen that's just lost its closer in Iglesias.

The Angels acquired Davidson and Jesse Chavez from Atlanta on Tuesday in exchange for closer Raisel Iglesias, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The left-hander was one of Atlanta's top prospects and has a 6.46 ERA across 15.1 innings in the majors this season, and he's now been shipped to an Angels club in rebuilding mode. Davidson should have a more direct path to the majors with the Angels with the team out of contention and with the team having a spot in the rotation available following Tuesday's deal that sent Noah Syndergaard to the Phillies.

Castillo was traded from the Blue Jays to the Royals on Tuesday along with Samad Taylor in exchange for Whit Merrifield, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

This trade came in right at the deadline, and it's probably a mildly good development for Castillo's fantasy value. He emerged as a significant prospect this season, logging a 1.92 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 56.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Castillo also logged a 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB in 20.2 innings in the majors, working as both a starter and a reliever. It should be easier for him to crack Kansas City's rotation in the coming weeks/months. His ability to turn a big-league lineup over multiple times will be put to the test.

The Dodgers traded White to the Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for Nick Frasso and Moises Brito, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

White lost his spot in the Dodgers' rotation and active roster last week, and he'll now make his way to the Blue Jays in exchange for a couple minor-league pitchers. The 27-year-old has a 3.70 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB across 56 innings this year and is under team control through 2027. Even if he's not a regular in the rotation, White figures to receive some starts for Toronto down the stretch.