MLB Player News

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo following the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays.

Castillo served as a multi-inning reliever for the Blue Jays after joining the major-league club in mid-June, and he struck out nine while allowing two runs, four hits and two walks in seven innings over his last three outings. However, he'll head back to the minors after Thomas Hatch was recalled to start the second game of Saturday's twin bill.

Hatch was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Hatch will make his season debut as the starter in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Tampa Bay. The right-hander has made 12 starts in Buffalo this year and has posted a 5.12 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 63.1 innings.

Merryweather (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather was placed on the injured list June 14 and labeled as week-to-week. The right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable to rejoin the Blue Jays, but he'll be unavailable until at least mid-August after shifting to the 60-day IL.

Mengden was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Mengden joined the major-league roster as a replacement player after Joel Payamps (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list, but he'll head back to the minors after Payamps was activated Saturday. Mengden made four relief appearances during his time in the majors, and he posted a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with one save in 4.1 innings.

Payamps (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

Payamps landed on the COVID-19 IL on June 13, but he spent the last week on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha. He posted a 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 4.1 innings over three minor-league appearances and will rejoin the Royals' bullpen after right-hander Daniel Mengden was outrighted to Omaha on Saturday.

Banda was traded from the Pirates to the Blue Jays for cash considerations Saturday.

Banda was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Monday, but he'll land a spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. If the southpaw joins the major-league roster at some point, he should serve as a middle reliever after he posted a 6.41 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in 19.2 innings over 23 relief appearances to begin the year.

Lopez (3-4) allowed two runs on two hits without recording an out, taking the loss and a blown save in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Twins.

Lopez entered Friday with an 11.1-inning scoreless streak, but that ended with a walkoff two-run home run to Byron Buxton. This was the third time all year Lopez has allowed multiple runs in an appearance. He's been steady as the Orioles' closer with a 1.22 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB across 37 innings. Manager Brandon Hyde gave Lopez a vote of confidence by saying a potential save situation Saturday would go to the 29-year-old, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Castillo struck out one and gave up one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings out of the bullpen Friday in the Blue Jays' 9-2 win over the Rays.

Since yielding two solo home runs in his MLB debut June 19, Castillo has been highly impressive in his subsequent two appearances out of the bullpen. Before blanking the Rays on Friday, Castillo struck out seven over four scoreless innings to save the Toronto bullpen in a 5-4 loss to Milwaukee on June 25. The Blue Jays are likely still planning on developing the 23-year-old right-hander as a starter in the long term.

Morris (shoulder) has been throwing bullpen sessions at Cleveland's spring training complex, Guardians Prospective reports.

He is reportedly progressing well in his rehab from the shoulder strain he suffered in spring training. Morris could return to game action at Triple-A in the coming weeks if everything goes smoothly, and he could even make his big-league debut sometime in the second half.

Lawrence was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to serve as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays.

Lawrence was sent to the minors in mid-June, but he'll be available to provide length out of the Blue Jays' bullpen during Saturday's twin bill. Over his first three major-league appearances of the year, he's posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 7.1 innings.