MLB Player News

Saupold was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo after Thursday's game.

Saupold made just one appearance during his brief stint with the Tigers, striking out two and walking one in a scoreless frame against the Rays. He'll head back to the minors for now, but he could see another call up should the Tigers need bullpen support in the future.

Bass had his contract purchased from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Bass will likely head to the bullpen where he could serve as a long-relief option if needed. The 29-year-old put up impressive numbers at Round Rock before earning the promotion, allowing just two hits over 8.1 scoreless innings while striking out 16 batters.

Hauschild was designated for assignment Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers purchased Anthony Bass' contract and opted to designate Hauschild for assignment. Hauschild has turned in a handful of rough outings this season. Over four games (eight innings), he's allowed 10 runs on 14 hits, five of which were home runs.

Valdez had his contract selected from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Valdez will step in to make a spot start for the injured Kendall Graveman (shoulder). The 32-year-old has impressed in two starts with the Sounds, posting a 2.70 ERA and 0.80 WHIP across 10 innings. He'll look to carry that strong showing into Thursday's start against the Mariners. To make room for Valdez on the roster, Bruce Maxwell was sent to the minors and Marcus Semien (wrist) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Lawrence has been confirmed as Toronto's starter Saturday against the Angels, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reports.

He was the favorite to land the second spot start of the weekend, with Mat Latos getting the other, and that came to fruition. Lawrence will face Tyler Skaggs and the Halos after notching a 1.80 ERA and seven strikeouts in five innings (two starts) for Triple-A Buffalo. However, he has not gone more than three innings in a start this season, so he is not a good bet to go more than around five innings in this start. With J.A. Happ (elbow) expected back fairly soon, this could just be a spot start for Lawrence.

Hauschild was tagged for five runs on seven hits -- including three homers -- and one walk over 3.1 innings of relief in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Athletics.

With the Rangers trailing 4-0 by the time starter Martin Perez was pulled with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, manager Jeff Banister decided it was a good opportunity to have Hauschild, a lightly-used Rule 5 pick, eat some innings. Hauschild wasn't able to stop the bleeding for the Rangers, and at this point, the organization may find it increasingly difficult to justify using the 27-year-old even in lower-leverage situations. He's turned in an 11.25 ERA (10.70 FIP) and served up five homers over four appearances spanning eight innings.

Hart recorded one out Wednesday against the Reds en route to his first hold of the campaign.

The left-handed specialist has yet to allow a run this season through five outings, a feat that only one other Orioles pitcher (Brad Brach) has accomplished. Hart is off to a good start, owning a nifty 6:0 K:BB through 4.1 innings. With Zach Britton (forearm) sidelined for a bit, Hart could be in line for a few more high-leverage opportunities than otherwise expected.

Covey, who was lit up by the Yankees for eight runs Wednesday, is expected to make another start according to White Sox manager Rick Renteria, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Renteria immediately added that he would let the media know if that changes. Covey, a Rule 5 selection, was in a tough spot Wednesday pitching in the baseball cathedral that is Yankee Stadium. If the White Sox were to replace Covey, who is scheduled to start next Tuesday against the Royals, they have long reliever Anthony Swarzak on hand. Or, they could dip down to the minors for one of their top pitching prospects, but it might be too early to expose those hurlers.

Giles pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Angels.

Manager A.J. Hinch has been unconventional with his bullpen this season. This was the second time he's brought his closer out for the eighth inning. Hinch's consistently maintained Giles will close most of the games, but the manager also has pointed out he reserves the right to deploy the back end of the bullpen in a manner he best sees fit for a given game. In Wednesday's game, with the score 3-1 and the Angels' three best hitters due up in the eighth inning, Hinch had Giles warming in the seventh, which at the time appeared to be a high-leverage situation. Ultimately, Josh Reddick's two-run home run in the seventh upped Houston's lead to four runs before Giles entered. But if the Angels were to mount a comeback, it most likely would have started with Yunel Escobar, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. With Giles already loose, Hinch had the fire-balling right-hander quash any potential rally.

Pruitt gave up just one hit while striking out five over 3.1 scoreless innings of relief Wednesday to pick up the win in an 8-7 victory over the Tigers.

The 27-year-old has had a brutal start to his major-league career -- the outing lowered his ERA to 10.00 through nine innings -- but Pruitt rewarded the Rays' faith in him Wednesday. He'll need a few more appearances like this one before he's worth a spot on any fantasy rosters, though.