MLB Player News

Sands earned a save against the Rangers on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Minnesota carried a three-run lead into the ninth inning, and manager Rocco Baldelli elected to call upon Sands with primary closer Jhoan Duran having pitched on three consecutive days. The decision proved to be the right one, as Sands cruised to a save by retiring the side in order on just nine pitches. The right-hander has registered a career-high four saves on the campaign, though his opportunities in that regard are highly unpredictable with Duran having a firm grasp on the closer role and Griffin Jax typically second in line with eight saves on the season.

Otanez allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Giants.

Mason Miller and Tyler Ferguson were presumably unavailable after heavy workloads in the Athletics' last game Thursday. Otanez was a little fresher, and while it took him 26 pitches (17 strikes) to get the job done, he was able to secure his first major-league save in just his 18th appearance. Otanez has allowed two runs with a 13:1 K:BB over eight innings in August, and he's now at a 3.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 18 innings overall. He's added just one hold this year, so it's unlikely that he'll feature regularly in high-leverage situations.

Bido (4-3) allowed a hit and two walks while striking out six over six shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Giants.

Bido has turned in consecutive starts of six scoreless innings. The right-hander has posted a quality start in all three of his outings in August, allowing just three runs (two earned) over 18 innings while adding a 17:6 K:BB. For the season, Bido has a 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 45:21 K:BB through 45 innings over 12 appearances (six starts). He's emerged as a reliable starter for Oakland, and he's projected to make his next start at home versus the Rays.

The Athletics are placing Adams on the injured list Sunday with right elbow tightness, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

Adams hasn't pitched since Monday when he threw a scoreless inning against the Mets en route to his first win of the season. It appears he picked up an injury during the outing and it's considered severe enough to warrant an IL stint. Grant Holman and Scott Alexander are candidates to see more high-leverage work while Adams is shelved.

Alexander will serve as the Rays' bulk reliever Sunday against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Tampa Bay recalled Alexander from Triple-A on Saturday in the wake of Zack Littell's (shoulder) move to the 15-day injured list. While Alexander won't officially start Sunday's contest, he'll be the Rays' primary pitcher behind opener Drew Rasmussen. Alexander has allowed two runs across his last four big-league appearances, racking up 15 strikeouts across 14.1 innings.

Rasmussen will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rasmussen will make his second start of the season Sunday, though he's expected to pitch just one or two innings before handing the ball off to bulk reliever Tyler Alexander. Since completing his recovery from an internal brace procedure and returning from the 60-day injured list Aug. 7, Rasmussen has given up three earned runs on six hits and no walks while striking out six over five innings.

Slaten (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday and start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Slaten will incorporate an up and down into Monday's bullpen before embarking on what's expected to be a brief rehab assignment. The 26-year-old has been on the shelf since July 12 due to elbow inflammation. The issue wasn't expected to sideline Slaten for more than the minimum 15 days, but his recovery was thrown off schedule by an illness.

Webb (elbow) played catch Saturday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Webb has been on the shelf since Aug. 7 due to elbow inflammation and Saturday appears to be the first time he's played catch since. Initial indications were that Webb wouldn't need to miss much more than the minimum 15 days, but he seems to be at least a week or two away from returning.

The Angels activated Cisnero (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Saturday, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Cisnero hasn't pitched for the Halos since April 27 due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder. However, after allowing one run with eight strikeouts across four rehab appearances (4.2 innings) with Triple-A Salt Lake, the 35-year-old was cleared to rejoin the active roster. Jose Soriano (arm fatigue) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

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

He'll provide a fresh arm to the Houston bullpen after Ryan Pressly was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move due to a lower-back strain. Over his 41 appearances with Houston before he was optioned to Sugar Land on July 31, Martinez posted a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 49.1 innings.