MLB Player News

Gage was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Gage joined the major-league bullpen last week and posted a 1.80 ERA and 0.60 WHIP in five innings over four appearances with the Blue Jays. However, he'll head back to the minors after Otto Lopez was called up Friday.

Vizcaino was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Vizcaino joined the big-league roster after the Royals were forced to place several relievers on the COVID-19 injured list in late May. That means he can be sent directly back to the Triple-A level and off the 40-man roster without passing through waivers. He gave up four runs in 5.2 innings while striking out three and walking seven during his stint with the team and will exit with Gabe Speier and Matt Peacock returning from the COVID-19 injured list.

Speier was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

He made one rehab assignment appearance June 15, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Speier should work in lower-leverage situations.

Krehbiel (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Krehbiel was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation June 3. The right-hander made 22 relief appearances prior to sustaining his injury, and he picked up five holds while posting a 2.74 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 23 innings.

Lawrence was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

The Blue Jays used several relievers during Thursday's loss to the Orioles, so Lawrence will be available as a long reliever in the big-league bullpen rather than making his scheduled start in Buffalo on Friday. Jeremy Beasley was sent down to make room on the active roster.

King (4-1) earned the win over the Rays on Thursday, allowing one walk while striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

King entered in the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1. He kept Tampa Bay at bay and was credited with the win when Anthony Rizzo hit a walkoff homer in the bottom of the frame. King endured a rough three-game stretch near the end of May, but he has bounced back with 6.1 scoreless innings and a 10:3 K:BB over six appearances in June. He's notched two wins and three holds in that span.

Vespi allowed a run on one hit and struck out two in 1.1 innings during Thursday's 10-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Vespi allowed a double to Bradley Zimmer in the eighth inning, and Austin Voth allowed the inherited runner to score. This was the first run Vespi's given up in five major-league appearances this season. He now holds a 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB with a 1-0 record across seven innings. He's not expected to contend for much high-leverage work, but the southpaw has been effective when called upon.

Armstrong (0-1) surrendered one earned run on one hit in the ninth inning Thursday against the Yankees to take the loss.

Armstrong entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at 1-1. He retired the first batter he faced but surrendered a home run to Anthony Rizzo to take the loss. Since being recalled by the Rays on May 31, Armstrong has allowed two earned runs across 8.1 innings while maintaining an 11:2 K:BB.

Garcia was returned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Garcia served as a replacement player in the Orioles' bullpen during their series in Toronto, and he allowed a run on three hits and no walks while striking out one in three innings over two appearances. However, the right-hander will head back to the minors after Keegan Akin was reinstated from the restricted list Friday.

Akin (not injury related) was reinstated from the restricted list Friday.

Akin is presumably unvaccinated since he was unavailable for the Orioles' four-game series in Toronto, but he'll rejoin Baltimore's bullpen ahead of this weekend's home series against the Rays. The southpaw has been effective while serving mainly as a middle reliever this year, posting a 2.61 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 38 innings over 16 appearances.