MLB Player News

Rodney was designated for assignment by Oakland on Saturday.

The 42-year-old struggled to a 9.42 ERA and a 14:12 K:BB in 14.1 innings for the Athletics this season. Given those poor numbers and his age, there's a chance this is the end of the road for Rodney, but he did record a very playable 3.36 ERA just last season, so it wouldn't be surprising if at least one team takes a chance on him hoping that he still has something left in the tank. Wei-Chung Wang's contract was selected in a corresponding move.

Hudson (3-2) took the loss Friday against the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on a hit and a walk in one inning of relief.

Entering a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning, Hudson walked Manny Machado with one out and then got Eric Hosmer to ground weakly back to the mound for what should have been an inning-ending double play. Instead, the right-hander fired wide of second base to put runners on the corners and then served up a homer to Hunter Renfroe to put the game out of reach. Hudson now has a mediocre 4.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 21:13 K:BB through 23.2 innings with the Jays, but he'll likely continue to see some high-leverage work by default in a bullpen that lacks established and effective options.

Law gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning during Friday's loss to the Padres.

The right-hander hasn't had too many successful outings since joining the Toronto bullpen. Law has been charged with runs in four of his eight appearances this year, leaving him with a 4.91 ERA and 13:5 K:BB over 11 innings. Expect him to continue working in low-leverage situations unless he's able to put together a strong run.

Smith's contract was selected from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old reliever logged a 1.82 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .099/.215/.185 slash line in 17 appearances. He also had 32 strikeouts in 24.2 innings. He will likely begin as a low-leverage reliever, but his success at Triple-A suggests he could eventually earn some mid-to-high-leverage work.

Flynn (elbow) was activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

He has been sidelined all season with an elbow issue but is ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen. Richard Lovelady was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Lovelady was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Flanagan speculates that this could be a corresponding move for the activation of Brian Flynn (elbow), who is expected to come off the injured list. Lovelady logged a 4.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 12.2 innings in his first taste of the majors. Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports that Lovelady will be back up Saturday to serve as the 26th man for the second game of the doubleheader against the Yankees.

Mengden took a no-decision Friday, allowing only one run over four innings while allowing five hits and five walks in a 6-2 win over the Mariners.

Mengden struck out four batters in the outing, but needed 99 pitches to complete the four innings. The right-hander has a 3.31 ERA and 1.47 WHIP through 16.1 innings over three starts. Mengden is projected to start versus the Angels on Wednesday.

Lopez (3-5) took the loss in Friday's 11-4 rout by the Twins, coughing up eight runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 3.2 innings while striking out three.

Minnesota's juggernaut offense has been steamrolling nearly every pitcher in its path this season, and Lopez was no exception. The right-hander gave up runs in every inning, and his streak of three straight quality starts ended with a massive thud. He'll take a 6.03 ERA and 57:27 K:BB through 59.2 innings into his next outing Wednesday, at home against the Royals.

Soto yielded five runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four over 3.2 innings Friday night in a no-decision against the Mets.

Soto was handed an early 4-0 lead heading into the third inning, but he gave up a solo homer in the bottom of the third followed by four more runs in the fourth prior to being removed. Luckily, his offense bailed him out by scoring nine runs on the way to victory. The 24-year-old southpaw has struggled so far this season in the majors, accruing a 13.03 ERA and 2.38 WHIP with eight strikeouts across 9.2 frames.

Hand secured the save Friday night against the Rays after allowing one hit and striking out two in the ninth inning.

Hand allowed the first batter of the inning to reach base on a single, but he managed to retire the next three in order, the last two via strikeout. He continues to be a reliable source of saves this season, converting all 13 of his chances, and he owns a 1.29 ERA with 30 punchouts over 21 innings.