MLB Player News

Heller was recalled from the Yankees' alternate training site Thursday.

He has given up one run with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings in the majors this season. Zack Britton landed on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain in a corresponding move. Heller figures to work in low-to-mid leverage situations.

Montero (0-1) allowed four runs (three earned) in the 10th inning and picked up the loss to San Diego on Wednesday. He allowed one hit and two walks before ceding a walkoff grand slam to Manny Machado.

Montero entered the game in the ninth inning when the score was tied, so it was not a save situation in the 10th after Texas took the lead. The Rangers' closer had not allowed an earned over his first five appearances but couldn't keep the Padres off the board. San Diego worked the first two walks of the season off Montero.

Hendriks earned his eighth save of the season Wednesday against the Diamondbacks after pitching a scoreless ninth, striking out one.

Hendriks has gone 8-for-8 in save opportunities after blowing his first chance of the season, and he has also recorded four straight appearances without allowing a run or a hit. The 31-year-old right-hander is sporting a 0.90 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 10 innings in 10 appearances this month.

Speier was optioned to the alternate training site after Wednesday's doubleheader against the Reds, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old cracked the club's Opening Day roster, and he posted a 7.94 ERA over 5.2 innings. Speier struggled in a similar sample size for the Royals last year in his first taste of big-league action.

Soto (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in one inning to take the loss Wednesday versus the White Sox.

Soto surrendered homers to Jose Abreu and Edwin Encarnacion in the eighth inning. The 25-year-old Soto has struggled in consecutive appearances versus the White Sox -- he allowed four runs without recording an out in Tuesday's loss. Those two bad outings have ballooned Soto's ERA to 4.76 with a 0.88 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 11.1 innings across 12 outings.

Curtiss will serve as the opener Thursday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 27-year-old has yet to pitch in the series, but he'll take the mound as the opener for the series finale. Curtiss has a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 7:0 K:BB through 6.1 innings this season, and he's likely to be followed by Trevor Richards in the bulk role.

Colome pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Tigers.

Colome retired Jonathan Schoop, Victor Reyes and Christin Stewart in order for his sixth save of the season. The 31-year-old Colome up to eight strikeouts and just six baserunners allowed in nine scoreless innings this year.

Beeks did not allow a baserunner and struck out both of the batters he faced to earn the save Wednesday against the Yankees.

Beeks was called upon to record the final two outs with runners on first and second and a 4-2 lead. After striking out Miguel Andujar on three pitches, Beeks fired a wild pitch to Thairo Estrada prior to striking him out on the next three pitches. Beeks has been used mostly as a bulk reliever this season, but given the Rays' propensity to mix and match the closer role it's possible he gets occasional save chances. For the season, Beeks has a 4.02 ERA, but a 23:3 K:B across 15.2 frames.

Gibaut dropped his appeal and will begin serving a two-game suspension Wednesday in San Diego.

The 26-year-old was originally handed a three-game ban for throwing behind Manny Machado on Monday, but it was reduced to two games with him dropping the appeal. Gibaut will be able to rejoin the Rangers for Friday's series opener against the Mariners, while the team plays a man down for the next two days.

Littell was optioned to Minnesota's alternate camp Wednesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

This move frees up a spot on the roster for Wednesday's starter, Rich Hill, who was activated from the IL. Littell made two appearances during his most recent stay with the big club, allowing one run while recording two strikeouts in two innings.