MLB Player News

Kahnle is expected to opt out of his minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Monday if he isn't added to the major-league roster, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

After signing late in spring training with Boston, Kahnle stayed behind at the Red Sox's complex in Florida before reporting to Triple-A Worcester in the second week of April. He's been excellent thus far, posting a 1.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 19.1 innings. If the Red Sox aren't able to find a spot on the 26-man roster for the 36-year-old righty, he shouldn't have much trouble securing a major-league deal in free agency.

Chivilli (shoulder) has resumed throwing off a mound and is slated to throw live batting practice during the coming week, per MLB.com.

Chivilli logged action in only two games with the big-league club before landing on the injured list April 25 due to right shoulder discomfort. He was shut down from throwing for several weeks but has since been able to resume tossing from a mound. Given the length of his absence, Chivilli will likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before he's activated, though it's not clear when that rehab stint will begin.

Barlow allowed three walks but didn't allow a hit or record a strikeout in one-third of an inning, earning the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Yankees. He was not charged with a run.

The Athletics' bullpen was taxed heavily when Luis Severino (shoulder) exited Friday's game early. That led to some bullpen management, but the plan faltered when Jack Perkins -- who hadn't pitched since Monday -- made a mess of the ninth inning in a non-save situation. Barlow was brought in and threw just nine of 23 pitches for strikes, but he was able to get the final out after allowing all three inherited runners to score. Barlow has earned two saves over his last three appearances, though he doesn't look to be the first-choice option for saves in the Athletics' closer committee. He has a 3.08 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB across 26.1 innings, and he's added eight holds. Both Barlow and Hogan Harris have pitched consecutive days, so any potential save chance Sunday would likely fall to Mark Leiter or Joel Kuhnel. It remains difficult to target any one reliever for saves on a team that has five pitchers between two and four saves on the year.

Erceg (3-3) blew the save and took the loss Saturday, surrendering three runs on five hits while failing to record an out as the Royals fell 7-6 to the Rangers.

Tasked with protecting a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning, Erceg instead served up a leadoff homer to Joc Pederson followed by four straight singles -- the last being an Ezequiel Duran line drive to right field that brought home Brandon Nimmo for the winning run. It was Erceg's fifth blown save of the season, including three in his last four chances, and he's given up multiple runs in three straight appearances to balloon his ERA from 3.26 to 6.33. Even with Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still lacking a clear timeline for his return, the Royals may have no choice but to audition other closing options in Erceg's place.

Hoffman (4-4) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 6-5 to the Orioles, coughing up five runs on three hits and two walks in only one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

After Louis Varland got the call in the eighth inning to face Baltimore's 2-3-4 hitters and protect a 4-1 lead, Toronto tacked on another run in the top of the ninth before handing the ball to Hoffman. He struck out Samuel Basallo to begin the frame but then unraveled after plunking Coby Mayo, with the final two runs on his ledger coming after he'd been replaced by Connor Seabold. After six straight scoreless appearances that included two wins, two saves and a hold, Hoffman seems no more trustworthy in high-leverage spots than he did when he was removed from the closer role in late April. Following Saturday's disaster, he sits with a 6.31 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB through 25.2 innings on the season.

Miles will serve as the Blue Jays' starter for Sunday's series finale against the Orioles, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

With the Blue Jays' rotation hit by the injury bug, manager John Schneider has utilized Miles as a bulk reliever after an opener of late. However, Miles will operate as Toronto's starter for Sunday's contest, his first start since May 10 against the Angels and second of the season. He sports a 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB across 33.1 innings this season and has yielded just one earned run over his last four outings (15.1 frames).

The Athletics recalled Kelly from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

With Luis Severino (shoulder) headed for the injured list, Kelly will return to the majors to provide the big club with some additional bullpen depth. Since being demoted to Triple-A in early April, the 33-year-old righty has posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 14.2 innings. He'll likely be limited to low-leverage work as long as he's with the A's.

Dominguez struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Saturday to record his first hold of the season in a 7-1 win over the Tigers.

After being used in the top of the ninth inning of a tie game Friday, Dominguez was brought back Saturday with the White Sox up 4-1 and Detroit's 2-3-4 hitters coming to the plate. The right-hander got the job done on 15 pitches (eight strikes), and the White Sox then added some insurance runs before letting Trevor Richards finish the game with a big lead. Dominguez has produced four straight scoreless appearances, and on the season he sports a 3.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB through 22.2 innings while converting 11 of 14 save opportunities.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Saturday that Avila will start Monday's game against the Reds, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

With Cole Ragans (elbow) set to spend more time on the 15-day injured list than the Royals originally expected following a setback, Kansas City will turn to Avila to temporarily fill the fifth spot in the rotation. The 24-year-old righty struggled to find his footing in the majors early in the season but has settled in as of late, posting a 3.14 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 14.1 frames since the beginning of May. He likely won't be able to handle a full starter's workload Monday after throwing just 67 pitches over three frames during his last appearance Tuesday against the Yankees, and he'll also be tasked with taking on a Reds lineup that's posted a .742 OPS across its last 10 games.

Helsley (elbow) threw 15-to-20 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday and may be nearing a minor-league rehab assignment, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Helsley resumed a throwing program by playing catch in mid-May, and he's now progressed to throwing off a mound. The veteran reliever has been on the shelf for over four weeks due to right elbow inflammation, so he'll presumably need multiple rehab outings before being activated. Helsley went 7-for-7 in save chances before getting hurt, and he's fully expected to retake the Orioles' closer role upon his return.