MLB Player News

Barria will return to the Angels' rotation after the All-Star break, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels optioned Barria on Thursday, but the plan is to have him rest at Triple-A during the break before rejoining the major league club when his next turn in the rotation comes. Barria has made 13 major-league starts this season, notching a 3.55 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 66 innings.

Barria was optioned to High-A Inland Empire on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barria will head to the minors to make room on the 25-man roster for the return of Tyler Skaggs (groin) from the disabled list. With the All-Star break looming, the Angels are trying to avoid an extended break from pitching for the 21-year-old right-hander, so he'll get a start at High-A. Barria sports a solid 3.55 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 52:19 K:BB over 66 innings this season.

Jimenez is expected to return to an eighth-inning setup role beginning Friday, when the Tigers intend to activate closer Shane Greene (shoulder) from the 10-day disabled list, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez, who was named the Tigers' lone All-Star representative last weekend, received two save opportunities while Greene was sidelined and converted one of them. The 23-year-old will see his fantasy value take a major hit with Greene's reinstatement, but Jimenez should at least remain a useful ratio stabilizer in AL-only and deeper mixed leagues upon rejoining the setup ranks. Jimenez has posted a 2.85 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 across 44 appearances on the campaign.

Hu was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hu has struggled to a 4.66 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with a 55:23 K:BB over 67.2 innings for the Bulls, but he'll be added to Tampa Bay's bullpen for its upcoming series with the Twins. The 24-year-old right-hander will take the place of Willy Adames on the 25-man roster.

Barnes (knee) completed a bullpen session Tuesday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Barnes, who has been on the shelf since late June with knee tendinitis, is scheduled to throw off the mound again Friday. If that goes well, Barnes could be cleared to face live hitters a few days later before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment. The 28-year-old looks on track to return from the 10-day disabled list shortly after the All-Star break and will likely fill a middle-relief role for the Blue Jays once activated.

Yacabonis is in a good position for a spot start Sunday against the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Yacabonis was sent back to the minors following Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees, but he could return to the big leagues shortly, as the Orioles are in need of a spot start after Andrew Cashner (neck) was placed on the disabled list. Baltimore will likely confirm Sunday's starter later in the week, with Chris Tillman (back) also an option to take the hill for the series finale.

The Astros termed Giles' demotion to Triple-A Fresno as strictly a "baseball decision," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With an ERA of 4.99, there's certainly evidence that the demotion was performance based, but there may be other factors at play. Giles appeared to utter an obscenity toward manager A.J. Hinch as he was being pulled from Tuesday's game after giving up three singles in eight pitches. "This was a baseball decision," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "I don't know what he said (on Tuesday). Things are said between players and players and staff, and that's a clubhouse issue. That's dealt with separately. This was a baseball decision. Ken has had success in certain situations and he hasn't been successful in other situations the way he should be."

Kimbrel walked one and struck out four in 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday to pick up his 28th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Rangers.

The closer continues to put together another sterling campaign, and Kimbrel now has a 1.91 ERA and 58:15 K:BB through 37.2 innings to go along with his 28-for-30 performance in save chances.

Diaz locked down his 36th save with a perfect ninth Wednesday against the Angels.

Diaz struck out a batter for the fifth straight appearance and now has 79 in just 48 innings (14.8 K/9). The Mariners don't have the kind of offense that will blow teams out with regularity, so expect him to keep getting plenty of save chances as Seattle tries to make a push for the American League West crown in the second half.

Barria (5-6) allowed three runs on five hits and struck out five through five innings in a loss Wednesday to the Mariners.

Barria has not completed the sixth inning in six starts now, dating back to June 1 against Texas. He is 0-5 in that span with 4.85 ERA thanks in large part to seven homers allowed over just 29.2 innings (2.1 HR/9). He'll take a 3.55 ERA into the All-Star break, but Barria's season has been trending in the wrong direction for some time now, and it will be interesting to see just how long his leash will be in the second half.