MLB Player News

The Orioles designated Nicolas for assignment Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Nicolas will lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Dom Keegan, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on Saturday. Nicolas has given up seven earned runs in 7.1 major-league innings this season, and he hasn't been much better since joining Triple-A Norfolk (three earned runs in 4.1 IP).

The Royals recalled Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Cerantola has given up six earned runs in 10.2 innings at Triple-A since making his last appearance in the big leagues, but he'll return to Kansas City to help stabilize a Royals staff that went through eight pitchers while giving up 22 runs Friday. Mitch Spence was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding move.

Munoz struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 15th save of the season in Friday's 3-1 win over Cleveland.

Munoz struck out Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio to lead off the final frame before inducing a groundout from Kahlil Watson to end the game. With a 4.91 ERA through 29.1 innings, the 27-year-old hasn't been as reliable this year compared to past seasons, but he's now thrown five consecutive scoreless innings and earned a save in each of his last five appearances.

Quantrill is slated to start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Quantrill will be making his second start in five days, though he'll likely be limited to around 2-to-3 innings after covering two frames and tossing 34 pitches as an opener in front of Jose Corniell in Tuesday's loss to the Marlins. Corniell has since been demoted to Triple-A Round Rock, but Winston Santos hasn't been used following his call-up from Double-A Frisco on Wednesday and could end up covering multiple innings behind Quantrill on Saturday.

Latz walked one batter in a scoreless ninth inning to secure the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Latz walked Brandon Valenzuela to lead off the ninth but was able to regain his composure and force the next three batters he faced to fly out, ending the Blue Jays' comeback effort. Latz now owns a sparkling 1.85 ERA and 0.67 WHIP through 39 innings on the year and has converted 16 of his 18 save chances.

Moran (elbow) will make at least one more rehab appearance before being activated, MLB.com reports.

Moran kicked off a rehab assignment Thursday, when he allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning (17 pitches) for Triple-A Worcester. Relievers on rehab assignments usually don't need much more than one or two appearances, so Moran could return early next week.

Helsley struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander dispatched the visitors on 12 pitches (nine strikes) to pick up his first save since coming off the IL in mid-June. Helsley got tagged for five runs in 1.2 innings in his first two appearances after recovering from elbow inflammation, but he seems to be shaking off the rust, topping out at 100.4 mph with his fastball Friday in his second straight scoreless outing. On the season, Helsley has converted eight of nine save chances while posting a 4.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Banda blew the save in Friday's 9-8 win over the Rockies. He allowed two runs on three hits and no walks without a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning.

Minnesota entered the ninth inning with a 7-3 lead, but Eric Orze was unable to close things out, retiring just one of the four batters he faced. Banda was then called upon for the save once the lead was cut down to one run, but he surrendered two doubles and a homer before escaping the frame. Banda has recorded two saves and nine holds through 38 appearances this season, though his 4.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB aren't likely to net him regular chances in the ninth inning.

Joyce (shoulder) has been throwing at the Angels' complex in Arizona, but he's limited to fastball-only bullpens, per MLB.com.

Joyce has yet to pitch for the Angels this season as he continues to work his way back from right shoulder surgery. The fireballing reliever had progressed as far as taking part in a minor-league rehab assignment, but he was pulled from that stint in mid-May after four outings because he wasn't recovering as well as hoped. It appears the organization is taking a cautious approach to Joyce's recovery, so he may not be ready to join the big-league club until after the All-Star break.

Booser picked up a hold Friday against Arizona, recording the final out of the sixth inning.

After beginning the season with Triple-A Durham, Booser has since carved out a key spot in the Rays' bullpen. Through 9.1 innings thus far, the 34-year-old left-hander has a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB with two holds.