MLB Player News

The Rockies optioned Shook to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Shook will lose his place in Colorado's bullpen after giving up four earned runs in two innings during Thursday's loss to the Giants. He owns a 2.89 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 37.1 Triple-A frames in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, so he could make it back into the Rockies' bullpen down the line if he returns to form at Albuquerque. Jeff Criswell was recalled in a corresponding move.

Atlanta optioned Karinchak to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Karinchak made one appearance after being promoted to Atlanta on Tuesday, logging a walk and a strikeout in a scoreless inning Thursday against Pittsburgh. He'll now head down to make room in the bullpen for Owen Murphy, who was recalled from Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Atlanta recalled Murphy from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Murphy was sent down to the minors earlier in the week after conceding two runs (one earned) in one inning against the Mets during his MLB debut Tuesday. The 22-year-old prospect will now get another chance to showcase his talents with the big club, replacing James Karinchak in Atlanta's bullpen.

Diaz (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Ontario on Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Diaz began facing hitters in live batting practice last weekend and is now ready for the final step in his rehab from the elbow surgery he underwent in April. It's unclear exactly how many minor-league reps the Dodgers want the 32-year-old closer to get before he rejoins the team, but he seems to be on track to return to the big-league bullpen shortly after the All-Star break.

Poulin will serve as the opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Yankees, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Poulin will receive his 11th opening assignment of the season and will likely remain in the game for an inning or two before turning the game over to bulk reliever Miles Mikolas. Poulin has given up just two runs in 10.1 innings since coming up from the minors in mid-June and carries a 2.83 ERA through 35 frames on the year.

The Pirates designated Sanders for assignment Saturday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

A day after losing his place on the active roster, Sanders will now also be removed from the 40-man to help create space for new acquisitions Brandon Eisert and Jacob Gonzalez. Sanders has struggled in the big leagues up to this point but owns a 2.96 ERA through 24.1 innings in the minors, which could draw interest on the waiver wire from bullpen-needy teams.

O'Brien retired all three batters he faced with two strikeouts to earn the save in Friday's 2-1 win against Atlanta.

O'Brien needed just 12 pitches to retire the side in order and convert his 10th consecutive save opportunity. That brings the right-hander up to 23 saves on the season, moving him back into a three-way tie with Mason Miller and Jhoan Duran for the National League lead. While he has not blown a save since mid-May, O'Brien surrendered six runs with a 7:7 K:BB across 10 appearances in June. He finished the month with three straight scoreless outings and has followed up with three more clean appearances to begin July.

Kilian (2-5) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while failing to record an out, taking the loss and a blown save in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Rockies.

Kilian has three blown saves this season, and two have come during a six-appearance stretch in which he's allowed nine runs over 4.2 innings. The reliever's hold on the closing job for the Giants is likely weakening with each poor performance. He's now at a 4.74 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB through 38 innings this season while converting eight of 11 save chances and adding three holds. Given the Giants' poor placement in the standings, trusting Kilian or other relievers on the team for steady save chances is a risky fantasy strategy.

Romano allowed a run on one hit and three walks over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 4-3 win over the Giants.

Romano was brought in to close out the game after the Rockies took the lead in the eighth inning. He couldn't get the job done, and Juan Mejia ultimately got the final out after Romano left the bases loaded. This was the first run Romano has allowed in four outings with the Rockies. He has a 7.71 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB through 11.2 innings between the Rockies and the Angels, but he's also collected six saves and a hold. Romano is in the mix as part of Colorado's convoluted closer committee -- he's earned two of the team's three most recent saves, but no reliever on the roster has more than four saves all season.

Mejia retired the only batter he faced to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Giants.

Jordan Romano initially got the save chance, but he put four of the six batters he faced on base. Mejia inherited a bases-loaded situation and got Bryce Eldridge to ground out, ending the threat. This was Mejia's first save since May 18 versus the Rangers, and after some bumpy performances in late May and early June, he's seen his high-leverage opportunities decrease. The reliever has a 5.74 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB through 42.1 innings this season, and he's added four saves and six holds.