MLB Player News

Waguespack (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing due to a lower-back issue, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Waguespack has been shelved since May 6 due to inflammation in his right shoulder but was given the green light June 24 to begin a rehab assignment. However, he's picked up a lower-back injury that will require him to be shut down for an unspecified period of time.

Lovelady's (forearm) rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Lovelady made his first rehab appearance Monday with the Rays' Florida Complex League affiliate, but he yielded four runs over two-thirds of an inning before being pulled. Still, he'll be bumped up to Durham to continue his rehab from a strained left forearm.

The Red Sox designated Uwasawa for assignment Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Uwasawa will yield his spot on the 40-man roster to Trey Wingenter, who was acquired Saturday via trade and is getting called up by Boston. Uwasawa registered a 6.54 ERA in 42.2 innings at Triple-A Worcester this season. Assuming he clears waivers, the 30-year-old should remain in the Red Sox organization.

The Rangers transferred Pruitt's (knee) rehab assignment from the rookie-level Arizona Complex League to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Pruitt will likely stick around at Round Rock throughout the week before potentially returning from the 60-day injured list following the All-Star break. He made three rehab appearances in the ACL over the past two weeks, covering four innings and striking out four while giving up one run on five hits and no walks.

Speier (shoulder) is slated to throw a live batting practice either Tuesday or Wednesday, after which a decision will be made on when he'll begin a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Speier has been in a throwing progression since late June, but the imminent live batting practice session will mark his first time facing hitters since May 29. The southpaw will presumably need to make at least a couple of appearances with a minor-league affiliate due the length of his absence, making a pre-All-Star-break return increasingly unlikely.

Funderburk earned a save against the White Sox on Monday by pitching a perfect 11th inning.

Primary closer Jhoan Duran was deployed to keep the game tied in the 10th frame, leaving Funderburk the opportunity to close things out after Minnesota scored twice in the top of the 11th. The southpaw was successful in doing so, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches. The save was Funderburk's first as a major-leaguer, but it's unlikely he sees many more opportunities with Duran and Griffin Jax locked in as the team's top high-leverage options.

Staumont allowed an unearned run on two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Monday against the White Sox. It was his first run allowed this season (on a throwing error), but he hasn't allowed an earned run in 19.2 innings this season.

Staumont has had an impressive comeback after having thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last July. He's had increased velocity as the season has progressed, reaching a high of 101.1 mph with his fastball on July 7. There are some causes for concern, however, as before Monday he hasn't had a great strikeout rate (20.3%), has a worrisome walk rate (11.6%) and an unsustainable .168 BABIP. Still, he's become a dependable option in middle relief for the Twins.

Barlow (2-3) allowed a run on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning, taking the loss versus the Tigers on Monday.

Barlow put runners on the corners before giving up the lone run of the game on a fielder's choice. He allowed just two runs over 12.1 innings from the start of June through July 4, but he's given up another two runs over his last two appearances. Barlow is at a 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB through 36.2 innings while adding two saves and 17 holds. Barlow is part of the mix for setup duties, but his lofty walk rate continues to hold him back compared to many of Cleveland's other relievers.

Miller tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to earn the save in Monday's 1-0 win over the Guardians.

Miller got the call with no margin for error and he efficiently shut Cleveland down on 13 pitches to earn his first save of the season and just the second of his 12-year MLB career. The team showed a lot of faith in the veteran, who entered the contest with a 5.97 ERA, but he was much better last season with a 1.71 ERA for the Dodgers. If Miller can get anywhere close to that form down the stretch, he'll be a bullpen weapon for the Tigers and a potentially valuable fantasy asset if he sees more save opportunities.

Holton (4-1) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Monday's 1-0 victory over the Guardians.

After Detroit starter Keider Montero was lights out through 6.1 innings, Holton got the call to get the last two outs of the seventh with a runner on and the game tied 0-0. The lefty escaped the frame, then breezed through the top of the eighth before snagging the win when the Tigers scored once in the bottom of the inning. After a dominant 2023 campaign in which he posted a 2.11 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 85.1 innings, Holton has taken a slight step back in 2024, though he's still been very solid with a 3.64 ERA and identical 0.87 WHIP. The ratios alone give him some fantasy appeal, though his value would increase if he slid into the closer role at some point. It was Shelby Miller who earned his first save of the season after Holton exited the game Monday.