MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Morgan to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Morgan will make his way back to Triple-A after spending two weeks with the big-league club. The 30-year-old made just two appearances since being recalled July 10 with Kansas City. The Royals demoted Morgan to make room for Nate Pearson on the active roster.

The Orioles recalled Walker from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The 31-year-old acted as the 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader against Boston before being returned to Triple-A, but Walker hasn't actually pitched in a big-league game since June 30. With Norfolk, the left-hander has posted a 3.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB in 31.1 innings.

Rodriguez (elbow) began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Thursday, giving up a solo home run and striking out three in one inning.

Rodriguez served up a home run to the first batter he faced since last August's flexor surgery, but he then rebounded to fan the next three hitters. The 29-year-old will need several rehab outings as he preps for a return to the Rays' bullpen. Rodriguez posted a 2.12 ERA and 59:17 K:BB over 68 innings the last two seasons for Tampa Bay, so he could provide a nice boost to the relief corps if he can regain his pre-surgery form.

Finnegan earned the save Thursday against the Royals, recording the final two outs in a 4-3 victory.

With Kenley Jansen unavailable after pitching three of the previous four days, Drew Sommers got the initial call in the ninth but was pulled after allowing a walk and a single. Finnegan entered with two runners on and one out and needed just two pitches to induce a game-ending double play from Salvador Perez, earning his second save of the season and first since April 30. While the veteran right-hander owns a respectable 2.36 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and 35:25 K:BB across 45.2 innings, he has struggled to protect leads this season, getting charged with six blown saves.

Dobnak did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Tigers, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three over five scoreless innings.

Dobnak delivered another effective outing, throwing 50 of 76 pitches for strikes while limiting Detroit to just six hard-hit balls. He generated 10 whiffs on 34 swings despite finishing with only three strikeouts. The veteran right-hander has allowed one run over his last 15 innings and owns a 1.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across four appearances since being recalled July 1. With Stephen Kolek (forearm) having been transferred to the 60-day injured list, Dobnak appears to have a clear path to remaining a part of the rotation.

Way will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher Friday against the Tigers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Way will make his first major-league start after posting a 3.22 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 22.1 innings in 18 appearances with the Royals so far this season. The right-hander will likely be limited to no more than two innings on the mound, and southpaw Noah Cameron is expected to pitch in the contest in some capacity after Way's departure.

Varland earned the save Thursday against the Rays, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Varland was called upon for the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead and retired the top of Tampa Bay's lineup in order to secure his 21st save of the campaign. The right-hander has converted nine saves over his last 13 appearances while allowing just two runs across 14.1 innings during that span. For the season, Varland owns a dominant 1.04 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 70:13 K:BB across 52 innings.

Seymour (6-3) took the loss Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings.

Seymour entered after opener Casey Legumina tossed two innings of one-run ball and went on to complete the remainder of the game. While throwing 59 of 87 pitches for strikes, Seymour allowed a run in the third inning before retiring 11 of the next 13 batters, though he surrendered another run in the seventh that saddled him with the loss. It was a strong bounce-back performance after he had been tagged for 12 runs (11 earned) across 11.2 frames in his previous three outings. Seymour owns a 4.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 86:27 K:BB over 73.2 innings while making seven starts and 28 relief appearances this season. He's scheduled to make his next trip to the mound at home against the Rangers next week.

Anderson earned the save in Thursday's 3-1, extra-innings win over the Guardians. He logged a walk and a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

After the bulk of Minnesota's high-leverage arms pitched earlier in the contest, it was Anderson who got the call to protect a two-run lead in the 12th frame in just his fifth major-league appearance and second with the Twins. The 26-year-old right-hander got the job done, stranding the free runner on second base while working around a two-out walk to earn the save. Overall, Anderson has allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out eight across 10.1 innings this season between Minnesota and Boston.

Dobnak is slated to start Thursday's game against the Tigers in Detroit.

Dobnak will be making his second straight appearance as a starter, but he's effectively receiving a third turn through the rotation after covering 5.2 frames as a bulk reliever in his season debut. Overall, the 31-year-old righty owns a 1.93 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:8 K:BB in 14 innings across three appearances for Kansas City since being called up from Triple-A Omaha on July 1. He should have a decent amount of leash in the rotation after Stephen Kolek (forearm) recently joined Kris Bubic (elbow/shoulder) and Cole Ragans (elbow) on the 60-day injured list.