MLB Player News

The Rays transferred Heasley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Initially deactivated last Tuesday after being diagnosed with a right elbow stress reaction, Heasley still remains without a clear timeline for a return, but his move to the 60-day IL ensures he'll be shelved through at least July 27. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, the Rays selected outfielder Austin Slater's contract from Triple-A Durham.

Bachman (illness) appeared in relief in two of the Angels' three games against the Dodgers over the weekend, retiring four of the five batters he faced while notching three strikeouts.

Bachman hit Alex Freeland with a pitch in Friday's 1-0 loss but otherwise had a clean weekend. The pair of appearances were Bachman's first since May 30, as he had went unused out of the bullpen over a stretch of four games while he recovered from an illness.

Smith (shoulder) started a throwing program Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Shortly after landing on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to right shoulder inflammation, Smith received a cortisone shot to address the injury. After responding well to the injection, Smith is beginning to ramp up again and could re-emerge as an option in the Detroit bullpen later this month. He'll likely require a brief rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL.

Slaten (0-3) was the losing pitcher Sunday, when he allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning in a 6-1 loss to the Yankees.

It all looked good for Slaten, who struck out the first two batters faced, including slugger Ben Rice, before the lefty-swinging Cody Bellinger took him deep to break a 1-1 tie. To that point in the season, the right-handed Slaten had allowed just one hit and one walk to left-handed hitters over 23 plate appearances. From there, the inning spiraled out of control and the normally trustworthy Slaten gave up four runs for the second time in four outings.

Whitlock (knee) is likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Whitlock struck out a batter and allowed one hit and two walks over a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, and that will apparently be the only outing the right-hander will require in the minors prior to being activated. He'll rejoin the Red Sox in Tampa ahead of the second contest of their three-game set at Tropicana Field.

Hill (3-2) earned the win over the Red Sox on Sunday with a perfect inning of work.

Hill entered in the eighth inning with the game tied 1-1. He retired the side in order on 11 pitches, then watched New York's offense put up five runs in the bottom of the frame to move him into position for the victory. Hill had been struggling badly coming into Sunday, allowing six runs over 2.2 innings across his past three appearances. He'll look to use Sunday's clean frame as a catalyst for a turnaround.

Munoz (3-4) blew the save and took the loss against the Tigers on Sunday, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Munoz came in for the ninth inning to protect Seattle's 4-3 lead. He got the first batter he faced out but proceeded to walk the next two before yielding a two-run single to Kevin McGonigle. It was the fifth blown save of the season for Munoz, three of which have come over his last four save opportunities, and he now has a 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB across 23.1 innings. The Mariners may have to look into turning closing duties over to Jose Ferrer or Matt Brash if Munoz continues to struggle.

Vest (2-4) pitched a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Mariners. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

Vest worked through the top of the ninth inning on 10 pitches, then secured his second win of the year when the Tigers scored twice in the bottom half to turn a 4-3 deficit into a 5-4 win. The veteran righty has had a bumpy season, and a five-run outing back on May 26 is a big reason he's sitting with an inflated 6.53 ERA. However, with Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the injured list, Vest is Detroit's most experienced healthy reliever, and he should continue to see high-leverage work as a result.

Erceg secured the save Sunday against the Twins, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.

The Royals first turned to Beck Way to close out a 6-1 game in the ninth inning, but the hurler ended up giving up four runs to create a save opportunity. Erceg did surrender a pair of singles Sunday, though he eventually got Brooks Lee to fly out and extinguish the fire. Erceg, who has fallen into a closer committee with Kansas City due to his MLB-worst six blown saves, has a 6.00 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 21:16 K:BB with 12 saves across 24 frames.

Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock after Sunday's 10-0 win over Cleveland.

Curvelo will head back to the Triple-A level after being called up June 1. The 25-year-old appeared in three contests with the big-league club following his promotion, combining to give up two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings. Curvelo will now wait for his next chance to join the big-league club down the road this year.