MLB Player News

The Astros selected King's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

King has pitched well at Triple-A this season, posting a 1.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB while recording three saves over 33.2 innings. He'll provide the Astros with a left-handed option out of the bullpen. To make room on the 40-man roster for King, Houston designated right-hander Alex Speas for assignment.

Romano experienced right elbow soreness after long tossing from 120 feet Friday and has been shut down from throwing, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Romano was slated to throw off the mound over the weekend, but he will now take a break while the team determines the next steps. Prior to landing on the injured list June 1, the 31-year-old closer registered eight saves across 15 outings with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 13.2 innings.

The Astros recalled Contreras from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After being optioned to Triple-A on Friday, Contreras is back with the big club with Jake Bloss (shoulder) headed to the injured list. Contreras has pitched well in his 19 outings with Sugar Land this season, posting a 1.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander could make his major-league debut out of the bullpen in his second call-up with the Astros.

Cisnero (shoulder) threw from 120 feet Friday, per MLB.com.

Cisnero had previously thrown from 120 feet in mid-May but then had his throwing program halted after suffering lower-back tightness. The righty reliever appears to be back on track in his rehab, though it's unclear how far away he is from being ready to return to the Angels' bullpen. Cisnero hasn't pitched in a game since April 27, so he may require a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land following Friday's game against Baltimore, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was recalled by the Astros on June 18 after Justin Verlander (neck) was placed on the injured list. In his one outing during this stint with the big club, Hernandez gave up five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Friday's 14-11 win over the Orioles.

The Royals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Cruz was recalled Thursday to bolster the Royals' bullpen after Dan Altavilla (oblique) was placed on the injured list. Cruz did not make a major-league appearance, and he will return to Omaha where he has registered a 4.50 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB over 26 innings. The move comes with Michael Wacha (foot) being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Newcomb (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Twins after picking off Austin Martin for the final out of the eighth inning.

It was the first time in Athletics history a pitcher recorded a victory without officially facing a batter, as Newcomb was able to escape the two-out, two-on jam he inherited from Lucas Erceg with his pick-off throw. The quick two-pitch outing and win represent a much-needed reprieve for the veteran left-hander, who'd surrendered five earned runs on four hits and three walks over the 3.1 innings covering his previous two appearances.

Voth (2-1) was charged with the extra-inning loss to the Marlins on Friday, allowing a walk-off RBI single on the one pitch he threw.

Voth was asked to preserve a 2-2 tie when he entered in the 10th after both Ryne Stanek and Andres Munoz had already worked an inning apiece, but Voth immediately faltered by allowing a game-winning single to Tim Anderson that plated automatic runner Jake Burger. Despite the quick stumble Friday, Voth has been a picture of consistency in the later innings recently, allowing just one earned run in his last 12 appearances while generating an 0.43 WHIP, one win and six holds in the 9.1 innings covering that span.

Brieske worked around a hit to toss two scoreless innings of relief and earn a hold in Friday's 2-1 win over the White Sox.

The hold is the first of the season for Brieske and the fifth of his career. Since starting 15 games as a rookie in 2022, the righty has transitioned to the bullpen for the Tigers, and he's been an effective long reliever this year. Brieske has logged 20.1 innings across his 11 appearances, posting a 2.66 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. While the numbers are good, his fantasy value is limited in his current role.

Abreu allowed a hit in a scoreless inning and earned a save over Baltimore on Friday.

Abreu worked around a two-out single to close out the chaotic 14-11 victory. It was his first save of the year and he extended his scoreless streak to 8.2 innings. After allowing six runs in 5.2 innings to begin his season, Abreu has yielded just five runs in his last 32 appearances, lowering his season ERA to 2.58. Josh Hader seemingly received a routine day off after earning back-to-back saves against the White Sox on Wednesday and Thursday.