MLB Player News

Varland recorded his 23rd save Wednesday against the Nationals, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over two scoreless innings.

He was summoned in the eighth inning with a three-run lead after Tyler Rogers allowed a run and left runners on first and second with no outs. Varland issued a walk to load the bases but escaped the jam unscathed. In the ninth he worked around a leadoff single from Jorbit Vivas to lock down his 23rd save this season. The right-hander has converted seven saves over his last nine appearances while recording 11 strikeouts across 10 innings during that stretch. For the season, Varland owns a sparkling 0.98 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 73:23 K:BB over 55 innings.

Kittredge recorded the final out of the 12th inning Wednesday to pick up his fourth save of the season in a 10-9 win over the Tigers.

The Orioles were down 7-0 after six innings, but once Tarik Skubal left the game for the Tigers, the visitors' offense woke up. Tyler Wells worked the ninth and 10th innings with the score tied, while Rico Garcia blew a save chance in the 11th, as the back of the Baltimore bullpen remains unsettled -- Kittredge is the fifth different pitcher to collect a save for the team since the All-Star break. The veteran right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run since June 20, but he has been tagged for six unearned runs during that stretch while posting a 1.20 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB in 13.1 innings. He's racked up one win, three saves and three holds over 15 appearances during that span.

The Astros optioned Ullola to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Ullola gave up three earned runs in just one inning after getting called up Sunday, and he'll now lose his spot in the Astros' bullpen in order to make room for Hayden Wesneski's (elbow) return from the IL. Ullola owns a 4.92 ERA and 1.40 WHIP through 53 innings at Sugar Land and could make a few more appearances for Houston down the stretch as a replacement for a tired arm.

The Rays placed Sulser on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to lower-back spasms.

Tampa Bay recalled right-hander Chris Roycroft from Triple-A Durham to take over Sulser's spot in the bullpen. Sulser, who owns a 4.86 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 46.1 innings with the Rays on the season, will be eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 10.

The Rays recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay optioned Roycroft to Triple-A on Saturday, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the big club just four days later after reliever Cole Sulser (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Roycroft is likely to be deployed in lower-leverage spots out of the bullpen while he's up with Tampa Bay.

The Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

As expected, Espino will head back to Triple-A after he was called up to serve as the Guardians' 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Reds. He appeared out of the bullpen in the Guardians' 2-0 loss in the second game of the twin bill, striking out three batters and issuing a walk over a scoreless inning.

Mears (shoulder/lat) began throwing from 60 feet Monday, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been sidelined since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks in his recovery, including a July 10 scan that revealed a right lat strain. Resuming throwing is a positive step, though the right-hander still has many boxes to check before a return from the injured list becomes a realistic possibility. Prior to hitting the shelf, Mears posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

The Blue Jays recalled Dallas from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Dallas will give the Blue Jays some length in the bullpen, if needed. He's allowed just one run with a 3:2 K:BB in 4.2 innings covering two relief outings for the Blue Jays this season and holds a 3.16 ERA and 56:20 K:BB across 57 frames with Buffalo.

The Blue Jays optioned Van Eyk to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Van Eyk threw 3.1 innings and 69 pitches out of the bullpen in Tuesday's loss to the Nationals, so he's being replaced by a fresh bullpen arm. Chad Dallas will come up from Buffalo to take Van Eyk's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Lange (1-6) blew the save and took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 loss against the Twins. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

It's the third blown save in Lange's past five appearances, and he's also surrendered 15 runs over his last nine outings. Steven Cruz has picked up two saves in the past week and seems likely to get more opportunities going forward given Lange's 6.33 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 5.1 BB/9 across 42.2 innings this year.