MLB Player News

Varland (5-4) was credited with the win in the Blue Jays' 7-5 extra-innings victory over the Phillies on Saturday. He allowed one unearned run on one walk while striking out one batter across two innings.

Varland entered Saturday's game looking to bounce back from Friday's effort, when he was charged with his first blown save of the season. He kept the game tied at 4-4 after the ninth inning and was brought back out for the 10th, with the run he gave up being unearned due to the automatic runner scoring on a Luis Arraez sacrifice fly. Varland has converted 24 of 25 save opportunities this season and has a 1.34 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 60.2 innings.

Pearson secured the save against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in one innings. He struck out two.

It's worth noting Steven Cruz, who seemed to have taken over as Kansas City's favorite for saves lately, worked ahead of Pearson on Saturday in the eighth inning for a hold. Pearson has handled a save opportunity in back-to-back appearances, suggesting he's in the conversation for high-leverage work. Through 25.2 innings for the Royals and Astros, the right-hander has a 2.81 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB with two saves in three chances.

Tampa Bay announced that Legumina will open Saturday's matchup with the Mariners, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

With original starter Griffin Jax (elbow) sidelined as a late scratch, the Rays will turn to Legumina as the opener for Saturday's affair. Legumina, who was a Mariner earlier this season before being dealt to Tampa Bay, will make his second appearance against his former team this year. This will be the 29-year-old's fifth start of the campaign. Through 48.1 innings this season, the right-hander owns a 4.28 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB in 38 appearances.

Harris gave up a run on three hits and a walk over 1.1 innings Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 7-3 win over the Red Sox. He struck out two.

The southpaw got the final out of the eighth inning with the tying run on deck and the A's ahead 6-2 to qualify for a save chance, but Harris created his own jam in the ninth and escaped a bases-loaded, two-out situation by getting Eli White to line out to center field. Harris has been tagged for at least one run in three of his last four appearances, inflating his ERA from 3.09 to 3.71, but his hold on the closer job appears fairly secure -- no other A's reliever has picked up a save since Mason Barnett on June 25.

Bednar recorded his 26th save of the season in a 5-4 win over Atlanta, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning Saturday. He struck out one.

The veteran closer made things interesting, but Bednar finally shut the door by getting Drake Baldwin to line out to right field. Bednar hasn't blown a save since May 17, converting 16 straight chances while posting a 1.14 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings and adding four wins to his ledger, but after working Friday and Saturday he likely won't be available should the Yankees have another late lead to protect in the series finale Sunday.

The Red Sox are expected option Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

After being called up from Triple-A on Friday, Burgos will head back to Worcester after two appearances with the big-league club. The 27-year-old pitched a scoreless three innings with two strikeouts in Friday's 13-1 win over the Athletics en route to earning a save, then mopped up for three innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss while giving up a pair of solo home runs. The Red Sox will make the transaction official prior to Sunday's series finale and will presumably call up a fresh bullpen arm in a corresponding move.

Vargas (lat) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vargas has been on the shelf all season due to a right lat strain. The right-hander suffered a setback in late April that caused him to pause his throwing progression, but he's since been able to work his way back to the point of taking part in minor-league games. Given the length of his absence, Vargas will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before he's ready to be activated.

The Tigers transferred Hurter (back) to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday to begin a rehab assignment, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Hurter has been on the injured list since late May due to lumbar spine inflammation. He began throwing in late July and is now ready to get back into game action. Hurter is eligible to come off the IL at any time, but he'll probably need to log multiple outings with Toledo before doing so.

Junis (adductor) threw out to 90 feet Friday and expects to toss a bullpen session Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Junis landed on the 15-day injured list July 30 due to a left adductor strain. The fact that he's throwing suggests that the issue isn't severe, and Junis has said that he's hoping for a quick recovery. However, it's unclear at this point if he'll be ready to return when first eligible Aug. 13.

The Rangers optioned Peoples to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Peoples has posted a 2.19 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 12.1 innings since joining the Rangers in early July, but he'll end up as the odd man out of Texas' bullpen following MacKenzie Gore's return from paternity leave. Peoples has also performed well at Triple-A this season (2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and is a likely candidate to return to the majors later this season whenever the Rangers need a fresh arm.