MLB Player News

Stewart was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Stewart's demotion was to make room for Zack Godley, who has been activated after being claimed off of waivers Wednesday. The 27-year old right-hander was victorious after throwing four scoreless innings out of the bullpen in his lone big-league appearance for the Blue Jays. He has now allowed eight runs in eight innings with six strikeouts following a rough start to the year with the Dodgers. It's possible Stewart will be deployed as a starter at Triple-A and he should return to the big-league roster in September at the latest.

Smeltzer is listed as the Twins' probable starter for Friday's game against the Indians.

With Michael Pineda (triceps) still on the mend, Smeltzer will earn a second turn through the Minnesota rotation after dazzling last weekend against Kansas City, working six scoreless two-hit frames to capture his first big-league win. In five total outings (three starts) with Minnesota this season, Smeltzer has limited the opposition to seven runs in 27.2 innings while posting an 0.90 WHIP. A .208 BABIP and so-so 20.4 K% don't offer much optimism that Smeltzer will continue to prevent runs at his current clip, however.

Lopez has been confirmed as the Royals' starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

With Danny Duffy (hamstring) recently moving to the 10-day injured list and the organization lacking in interesting replacement options in the upper levels of the minors, Kansas City will turn to Lopez to make his first start since May 25. The right-hander opened the season in the rotation but was banished to the bullpen after posting a 7.07 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 49.2 innings across 10 starts.

Clase logged a perfect eighth inning Wednesday against the Indians.

He did not allow a baserunner or record a strikeout, needing 13 pitches (11 strikes) to complete the frame. Arguably the second-best relief pitching prospect in baseball behind Andres Munoz, Clase can touch triple digits with his fastball and has a cutter that touched 98 mph in this outing. Through 2.2 MLB innings, he has not allowed a hit while walking one and striking out one. Clase clearly has ninth-inning stuff and could take over as the Rangers closer at some point in 2020, if not sooner.

The Tigers selected Schreiber's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

The 25-year-old reliever gets his first big-league callup after posting a 71:23 K:BB in 54.2 innings out of the Toledo bullpen while holding opposing batters to a .203 average. Detroit isn't exactly teeming with quality bullpen arms, so Schreiber could have the opportunity to move up the depth chart quickly if he fares well in his initial appearances with the big club.

Woods Richardson gave up three runs on four hits over five innings while striking out eight for High-A Dunedin on Wednesday.

Making his second start as a member of the Blue Jays organization, and his second start in the Florida State League, the 18-year-old flashed the upside that made the club target him as part of the Marcus Stroman deal. Woods Richardson is still at least a couple of years away from his big-league debut, but he's another potential frontline arm in a system that's suddenly flush with impressive young pitching talent.

Bass picked up his second save of the season and the fifth of his career, working around one hit to fire a scoreless ninth inning against the Padres on Wednesday.

Bass is quite the success story; he's gone from being unable to crack the Reds' roster and opting out of his minor-league contract to being a big-league closer in a little over two months. The 31-year-old appears to have taken over since the Mariners dealt Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland at the trade deadline. His K rate is up five percentage points from his career mark, helped by a fastball that has gained three full ticks since 2017 (95.4 mph average). Bass should be added where available.

Wittgren had one strikeout and didn't allow a baserunner over 1.2 innings to earn the save in the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against Texas.

Wittgren entered with two outs in the eighth and a 2-1 lead, but the Indians tacked on three runs during the bottom of the frame to make it a comfortable ninth inning. Closer Brad Hand recorded the save in Game 1, providing Wittgren the chance to finish up the nightcap.

Hand earned his 28th save by striking out the side without allowing a baserunner in the ninth inning in the first game of a doubleheader against the Rangers on Wednesday.

Hand was called upon to protect a two-run lead and made quick work of the Rangers, striking out the side on just 13 pitches. It was Hand's first save since July 21. Hand remains one of the steadiest closers in the game, maintaining a 2.35 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 73 strikeouts across 46 innings for the campaign.

Jurado (6-7) allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five across seven innings to take the loss in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday against the Indians.

Jurado's lone blemish came in his final frame when he was taken deep for a two-run home run by Jose Ramirez. Otherwise, he contained the Indians' offense by holding them hitless through 4.2 innings and allowing only one extra-base hit. Jurado has had an up and down season, though he has now worked seven innings in two of his past three starts. Overall, he's managed a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 69 strikeouts across 93 innings for the campaign. He'll draw his next start Monday at Toronto.