The Royals placed Erceg on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right shoulder impingement.

The move essentially ends Erceg's season, as the Royals haven't officially been eliminated from playoff contention but remain seven games out from the final wild-card spot with nine games to play. The 30-year-old has a 2.64 ERA and 48:18 K:BB in 61.1 innings this season. He's tallied an 8-4 record with 23 holds as well. Steven Cruz (shoulder) was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.

The Royals activated Cruz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Cruz has been on the shelf since Aug. 3 due to tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, but he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 26-year-old made four appearances during a minor-league rehab stint, allowing three hits and no walks with four strikeouts across 4.1 innings. Lucas Erceg (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Finnegan (groin) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Finnegan said he is "ready to go" for Friday's contest. The 34-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since the start of September due to a right adductor strain. He'll likely compete with Will Vest for saves during the closing days of the regular season.

The White Sox recalled Booser from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Booser has bounced between Charlotte and Chicago multiple times this season, holding a 4.82 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB over 28 frames in the majors. He'll give manager Will Venable another lefty in the bullpen.

The Orioles placed McDermott on the family medical emergency list Friday.

By rule, McDermott will be away from the club for 3-to-7 days. The right-hander was just recalled earlier this week and has been roughed up for eight runs over one inning covering two appearances.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Espada holds a 4.17 ERA and 83:30 K:BB over 54 innings between the Double- and Triple-A levels this season. When the 28-year-old gets into a game, it will be his first appearance at the major-league level since 2023.

Melton (3-2) allowed two runs on two hits across 1.2 innings of relief to take the loss Thursday against the Guardians. He walked one and struck out one.

Melton relieved starter Tarik Skubal, who left after six innings with the game tied 1-1, and promptly allowed two runs to take the loss. This was the rookie's first loss in a relief appearance, as his other loss came in his MLB debut back on July 23, when he allowed six runs in five innings as a starter. As a reliever, Melton now has a 2.66 ERA across 23.2 innings in 11 outings, and he's struck out 17 batters. He should maintain a key role in Detroit's bullpen given his ability to provide length.

Munoz earned the save Thursday against the Royals, striking out three and allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Tasked with protecting a two-run lead, Munoz worked around a Vinnie Pasquantino double and a hit batter to lock down his 36th save of the season. It was just the second time this year that the right-hander has struck out three batters in an appearance. After a rocky stretch in which Munoz allowed runs in three of five outings, he's now strung together six consecutive scoreless appearances. The 26-year-old has been one of the league's top closers this season, ranking third in MLB in saves while carrying a 1.54 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 78:25 K:BB across 58.1 innings.

Harris recorded the save Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in two innings. He struck out three.

The left-hander posted his fourth save of the season, and each have come following the trade of Mason Miller. Harris should remain one of the Athletics' preferred late-inning options alongside Sean Newcomb to finish up the year, but neither appears locked in as the club's closer. Through 60 innings, Harris has a 3.30 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 61:33 K:BB.

Gaddis earned the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Tigers, allowing one hit with no strikeouts or walks in a scoreless ninth inning.

After closer Cade Smith had pitched back-to-back days, Gaddis got the call in the ninth inning Thursday. The right-hander worked around a leadoff single to close out a two-run victory, picking up his third save this season. Gaddis has turned in seven straight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits in that span. His ERA sits at 3.11 through 63.2 innings this season with a 1.18 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB.