MLB Player News

Minter earned the save against the Guardians on Saturday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

With Yoendrys Gomez struggling in a loss Friday, Minter was summoned to preserve a one-run lead in the ninth inning Saturday and did so on 16 pitches. It was likely just a matchup play, as the southpaw's last save came May 13, 2024. On the season, he owns a 2.01 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 36:7 K:BB across 40.1 innings with the Mets and Twins.

The Royals claimed Bivens off waivers from the Giants on Saturday.

Bivens has been assigned to Triple-A Omaha. He was designated for assignment by San Francisco earlier in the week after appearing in four games out of the bullpen. Across 81 big-league appearances from 2023-2024 -- his only prior MLB experience -- Bivens posted a 3.68 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 98:36 K:BB across 129.2 innings.

The Orioles signed Suarez to a minor-league contract Saturday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Suarez elected free agency earlier in the week after being DFA'd three days earlier. The 36-year-old has been doing this same old song and dance -- being DFA'd, electing free agency and re-signing -- with the Orioles all season. Suarez owns a 4.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB across 59 innings of relief for Baltimore this season.

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

Macko has coughed up seven runs (six earned) in just 6.2 innings since joining the big club Aug. 28. His poor performance will end up costing him a spot in the Rangers' bullpen as the team makes room for Nathan Eovaldi's (elbow) return from the injured list.

The Rays designated Grove for assignment Saturday.

Grove was sent down to Triple-A on Aug. 13, and he has since surrendered just two earned runs while posting an 11:5 K:BB over 11.1 innings. Despite his recent performance, the Rays will strip him of his 40-man roster spot and award it to Brody Hopkins, who was selected to the major-league roster Saturday.

The Rays optioned Cook to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Cook never made an appearance for the Rays after being recalled from Durham on Sept. 4, and he'll now end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Brody Hopkins, who was selected to the active roster Saturday.

Jansen struck out the only batter he faced Friday to record his 19th save of the season in a 6-2 win over the Rockies.

Brant Hurter ran into trouble in the ninth inning, forcing Jansen into the game with two outs and the potential tying run on deck, and the veteran closer got the job done by fanning Connor Norby on just four pitches. Jansen has been mostly dialed in since the All-Star break, and over his last 16.1 innings and 18 appearances he's put together a 2.20 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB with three wins and eight saves.

Holderman (wrist) threw a bullpen session Friday at Progressive Field, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Guardians placed Holderman on the injured list Sept. 4 due to right wrist inflammation, but his ability to get back on the mound a week later suggests that he won't require an extended stint on the shelf. Before being deactivated, Holderman had produced a 2.73 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB in 52.2 innings while collecting six wins, one save and 11 holds in 54 appearances out of the Cleveland bullpen.

Armstrong (calf) didn't record a strikeout while allowing one run on two hits in one inning during a rehab appearance Friday with Triple-A Columbus.

Armstrong was initially placed on the shelf July 25 due to a left calf strain before being transferred to the 60-day IL less than two weeks later. He's eligible for reinstatement Sept. 23 and should be on track to rejoin the Guardians on that date or shortly thereafter, assuming his subsequent rehab appearances go well.

Espino will serve as the Guardians' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Twins in Minnesota, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gavin Williams had been lined up to start Saturday, but the Guardians will instead push their ace back a couple days in the schedule so that he can make his next start Monday in the series opener versus the division-leading White Sox. Espino will thus be called upon to make his first MLB start Saturday, though he's pitched almost exclusively in relief both for the big club and at Triple-A Columbus this season and will likely be limited to a 1-to-2-inning appearance. Once Espino exits the game, Joey Cantillo could be called upon to pitch in bulk relief.