MLB Player News

The Astros claimed Junk off waivers from the Brewers on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Junk has allowed six runs in eight innings in the majors this season but holds a 2.55 ERA and 35:15 K:BB across 35.1 frames at the Triple-A level. He's been pitching in relief exclusively since May, but Junk does have extensive starting pitcher experience and it's not clear what role the Astros have planned for him.

Joyce struck out one and allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless eighth inning to record a hold in Thursday's loss to the Rockies.

Angels manager Ron Washington indicated last weekend that the right-hander would likely take over the closer role if the team traded Luis Garcia -- who had freshly stepped in for Carlos Estevez -- but Hunter Strickland received his second straight save chance Thursday after Garcia was dealt. Joyce is still viewed as the organization's closer of the future, but Washington doesn't quite feel the 23-year-old is ready for the job, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Strickland will fill the role for now, but Joyce could soon force his way into the job given he hasn't allowed a run in 17 straight appearances.

Strickland was charged with a blown save Thursday versus the Rockies after he allowed two runs on a hit and a walk during the ninth inning. He had one strikeout.

The 35-year-old recorded his first save of the season in Tuesday's series opener and was called upon again Thursday, but he gave up a two-out, two-run homer to Jake Cave to tie the game at 4-4. Ben Joyce seemed poised to take over as the Angels' closer after the trades of Carlos Estevez and Luis Garcia, but manager Ron Washington has instead turned to the veteran Strickland. According to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, Joyce is still considered the club's closer of the future, but Strickland will receive first crack at the ninth inning until Washington feels Joyce is ready for the job. Even including Thursday's blown save, Strickland has pitched well this season with a 3.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB across 51 innings.

Fulmer did not factor into the decision in an extra-inning loss to the Rockies on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over six innings while striking out eight.

Fulmer stumbled a bit in the second inning when he surrendered a two-run shot to Michael Toglia to put the Angels in an early 2-0 hole. However, the right-hander recovered nicely, holding the Rockies scoreless over the next five innings while generating 19 swings and misses in the contest. Fulmer's eight strikeouts on the night marked a season high, as did his six innings on the mound. The veteran has now allowed three or fewer runs in each of his four starts, posting a 21:7 K:BB over that stretch.

Urena will start Friday against the Red Sox, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Urena has stretched out to complete three and 4.1 innings in his last two appearances, respectively. Both of those outings came in long relief, but he'll draw his seventh start of the season Friday. Urena has a 2.84 ERA with a 21:8 K:BB in 31.2 frames as a starter this season.

The Yankees reinstated Burdi (hip) from the 60-day injured list Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Hip inflammation has kept Burdi on the injured list since late May, and he has been on a rehab assignment with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since last Thursday. He's allowed two earned runs in 2.2 innings during his time in Triple-A, and he will remain with the RailRiders now that he's fully recovered. Cody Poteet (triceps) was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Blue Jays optioned Espino to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Espino gave up four runs in four innings and took the loss during his spot start in Baltimore on Wednesday, and he'll now head back to the minors following the poor outing. The 37-year-old veteran has given up eight runs in 8.2 innings with the Blue Jays this season, and he owns a 5.09 ERA through 53 frames at Triple-A.

The Orioles optioned Akin to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Akin will be sent back to Triple-A in order to make room for lefty Trevor Rogers, who was officially activated Thursday after coming over from Miami in a trade Tuesday. Akin owns a 3.34 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 56.2 innings with the Orioles this season, and he'll be on the short list to return to Baltimore if the team needs to add another bullpen arm down the road.

Kahnle earned a hold against the Phillies on Wednesday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

Kahnle entered in the seventh frame with a runner on second base and one out. He walked the first batter he faced before ending the inning with a strikeout and a flyout. Kahnle has racked up six straight scoreless appearances and has given up just two runs over his past 21 outings. He has a 0.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB across 18.1 innings during the latter stretch.

Espino (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Orioles, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out one.

The O's got to Espino quickly Wednesday, scoring twice in the opening inning before tacking on runs in both the second and third. It was a one-time start for the 37-year-old Espino, as the Jays looked to give their rotation some extra rest. Overall, Espino's allowed eight earned runs while posting a 2.08 WHIP across 8.2 innings in the majors this season. While it doesn't seem like he'll stay in the rotation, Espino could stick with Toronto as a swingman to help lengthen the Jays' trade-depleted bullpen.