MLB Player News

Walter was optioned Friday to Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Walter worked three scoreless innings of relief Thursday against the Yankees and wasn't going to be available for the next few days. Chris Murphy will fill the vacant spot in Boston's bullpen ahead of Friday night's series opener in Toronto.

Pearson was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson will give the Blue Jays' bullpen a much-needed fresh arm after its members were overused as the team got swept by the Rangers. The righty holds a 5.18 ERA and 41:16 K:BB over 40 innings during his time in the majors this season.

Francis was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This is all about adding a fresh arm to the Blue Jays bullpen after Francis pitched the last two days. His performance certainly didn't warrant a demotion, as he's posted a 1.73 ERA in 20 appearances this season.

Headrick was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The lefty reliever is giving up his roster spot to Bailey Ober, who will make a spot start Friday versus the White Sox. Headrick has struck out 30 over 25.2 frames for the Twins this season but has also posted a 6.31 ERA.

Fairbanks picked up the save Thursday against the Orioles. Striking out three in a perfect ninth inning.

Called upon to preserve a 4-3 lead over division-rival Baltimore, Fairbanks induced three swinging strikeouts on just 12 pitches to shut the door. The 6-foot-6 closer has made seven-straight scoreless appearances, earning six saves while allowing only two hits with an incredible 15:1 K:BB across 6.2 innings during that stretch.

Kahnle earned a save against the Red Sox in Game 2 of a twin bill Thursday, walking one batter and striking out four over two scoreless and hitless innings.

Kahnle entered in the eighth inning with New York holding a one-run lead and retired the side in order. Clay Holmes has mostly handled closing duties for the Yankees this season, but with New York tacking on two additional runs in the top of the ninth and Kahnle at just 10 pitches, manager Aaron Boone elected to allow the veteran right-hander to close things out. He did so with ease, striking out three batters around a two-out walk in the final frame to notch his second save of the campaign. Kahnle has been a key piece of New York's bullpen this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB over 40 innings.

King (4-6) took the loss in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against Boston, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over 4.2 innings.

Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said earlier in the day that King had built up to 85-to-90 pitches, and the right-hander was right on target with 87 pitches (56 strikes). He appeared to be getting stronger as the game wore on, striking out the final three batters he faced and not allowing a run after the first frame, which bodes well for his ability to continue going deeper into contests. Nonetheless, King got no run support from the Yankees offense Thursday and ended up with his first loss since Aug. 12. It looks like he'll be a fixture in the rotation moving forward, and he's shined in that role of late, allowing just three earned runs while posting a 29:4 K:BB over his past 21.1 innings.

Newcomb is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Padres in Oakland.

Because he had initially been working out of the bullpen following his Aug. 23 call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas, Newcomb was on a limited pitch count this past weekend, when he was called upon to make a spot start against the Rangers. He held his own in a tough matchup with a playoff contender, striking out five while allowing no runs on one hit and two walks over four innings. Newcomb was lifted after 62 pitches against the Rangers but should be able to push his count up closer to 80 in his second turn through the Oakland rotation Friday.

Robertson will serve as Boston's opening pitcher in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Robertson has allowed 14 runs -- 11 earned -- in 16.1 major-league innings of relief this season between the Dodgers and Red Sox. The 25-year-old right-hander probably won't go more than a frame or two in the nightcap Thursday at Fenway Park.

The Yankees optioned Bowman to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Bowman allowed three earned runs over one inning of relief as the Yankees fell 5-0 in the first half of Thursday's doubleheader against the Red Sox. Luke Weaver, claimed off waivers from the Mariners on Tuesday, will officially join New York's active roster ahead of the nightcap in Boston.