MLB Player News

The Rangers transferred Baumler (ribs) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Baumler landed on the injured list in early April with a right intercostal strain. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment later in the month but has been shut down since April 28 due to a setback in his recovery. His move to the 60-day IL will keep him sidelined through June 4, though it's unclear how far away he is from returning. Blaine Crim was claimed off waivers from the Rockies in a corresponding move.

Crochet (shoulder) will face hitters Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

After checking out fine following a side session Saturday, Crochet is slated to throw a live batting practice session for the first time since landing on the injured list April 29. If Tuesday's workout goes well, the Red Sox could send Crochet out on a rehab assignment later in the week.

Hicks was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain.

Hicks had given up five earned runs while walking four and striking out three over two innings in his last three appearances. The move is retroactive to May 21. Jordan Leasure was summoned from Triple-A to take Hicks' place in the bullpen.

The Twins designated Garcia for assignment Saturday.

Garcia has found little success across his nine appearances for the Twins, allowing 10 earned runs and posting a 2:4 K:BB in just 8.2 innings, and he'll now be cast off the active and 40-man rosters to make room for Taj Bradley's (pectoral) return from the IL. The 39-year-old Garcia is a candidate to be released by the organization if he clears waivers.

Nunez earned the save in Friday's 7-4 win over the Tigers, striking out two with no walks in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.

While Rico Garcia was getting the initial saves after Ryan Helsley (elbow) was shelved May 1, Garcia was deployed in the sixth inning of this one and recorded the final two outs to preserve a 6-4 lead. Nunez has handled two save opportunities since Garcia was last put in that position, so it appears manager Craig Albernaz is willing to mix and match at the end of games. On the season, Nunez has a 4.94 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB across 23.2 innings.

Mears (2-3) was tagged with the loss in relief Friday against the Mariners after allowing two runs on one hit and one walk over one inning.

Mears has been struggling of late and has given up runs in three of his last four outings, posting an alarming 9.64 ERA and 1.93 WHIP over 4.2 innings in that stretch. While a four-game sample isn't big enough to draw any meaningful conclusions, Mears is clearly trending in the wrong direction after he gave up just three earned runs in his first 16 outings (14 innings) this season.

Hudson will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Giants, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The White Sox haven't officially named a bulk reliever for Saturday's contest, but Erick Fedde had been on turn to start and is the most likely option to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen once Hudson exits the game. Hudson previously served as an opener on April 24 and April 26 versus the Nationals, covering an inning apiece in both of those contests. Expect the lefty to be limited to a one-inning appearance once again Saturday.

Bazardo (3-2) earned the win Friday against the Royals after tossing 1.1 perfect innings, striking out three.

Bazardo entered the game with two outs in the sixth and retired Salvador Perez before striking out the side in the seventh. Bazardo needed just 25 pitches (15 strikes) to record those four outs, continuing an impressive stretch of late. He's gone 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 8:3 K:BB across his last five outings (4.2 innings), allowing just one earned run over that span.

Munoz picked up the save Friday against the Royals after pitching a perfect ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Munoz needed 16 pitches (nine strikes) to close out the door on the Royals in the ninth inning, retiring Salvador Perez, Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone. Even though Munoz didn't record a strikeout in this outing, he also didn't allow any walks or hits. Munoz is 9-for-12 in save chances this season, and while he was charged with a blown save against the White Sox on Tuesday, this was his fifth straight scoreless outing and he's posted a 7:0 K:BB in that stretch.

Moran will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher Saturday against the Twins, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox have taken a liking to using Moran as an opener in front of Brayan Bello this month, and the two will work in tandem again Saturday. Moran has been one of Boston's most effective bullpen arms this season, posting a 2.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 25.2 innings. He'll likely remain on the mound for an inning or two before Bello takes over.