MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Murray to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After a rocky appearance Friday against Milwaukee, Murray will head back down to Iowa after just being recalled Tuesday. The 29-year-old made two appearances after being called up, giving up six earned runs on six hits and two walks through three innings. Bryse Wilson will be added to the active roster as a corresponding move.

Rangel will serve as a bulk reliever in Saturday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Rangel allowed just one run in five innings while following Tim Mayza out of the bullpen Monday, so the Phillies will aim to recreate that success by having the two pitchers work together again Saturday.

Mayza will serve as the opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Mayza worked as the opener for Alan Rangel on Monday, and the two pitchers are now set to work in tandem again Saturday. Mayza will presumably remain in the game for an inning or two before Rangel enters to handle the bulk of innings out of the pen.

Rangel is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.

Rangel is set to receive another turn through the Philadelphia rotation, this time as a traditional starter after previously pitching in bulk relief Monday after being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 28-year-old righty excelled while working behind opener Tim Mayza in a 4-1 loss to the Nationals, striking out four over five innings while yielding one earned run on five hits and no walks. Over two extended relief appearances with the big club this season, Rangel owns a 9:0 K:BB in eight innings, but his numbers over a much larger sample at Triple-A have been less impressive (3.99 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 15.6 K-BB% in 70 innings).

Alvarez (1-1) took the loss Friday as the Nationals were downed 3-1 by the Orioles, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

The 27-year-old didn't pitch poorly, although he needed 88 pitches (53 strikes) to record 13 outs, but Alvarez didn't get much help as the Nats' offense was held in check by Trevor Rogers. Alvarez has yet to complete five innings in any of his 10 big-league appearances (five starts) this season, making him tough to roster in fantasy formats any time he gets a traditional start rather than working behind an opener, but over 21 innings in June he's produced a 3.00 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB.

Senzatela blew the save Friday against Minnesota, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out one during the ninth inning.

The Rockies rallied for seven runs across the eighth and ninth innings to set up the save opportunity, but Senzatela was unable to maintain the one-run advantage. After a dominant start to the campaign that saw him give up just four earned runs over his first 32 innings, the veteran right-hander has posted a 5.56 ERA while blowing all four of his save chances in his past nine outings, though he's also picked up four wins during that span. Jimmy Herget, who secured a save Wednesday versus Boston, took the loss after giving up the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th, so Senzatela should remain in the closer mix for now.

Iglesias pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-1 win over San Francisco.

Iglesias has run into some struggles lately, allowing four runs (two earned) over his last 5.2 innings. He took two losses in that five-game span, while Friday's outing marked the first time in eight appearances in June in which he didn't allow a hit. Iglesias is still a perfect 16-for-16 in save chances while pitching to a 1.37 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB over 26.1 innings this season. While there are some warning signs, Iglesias doesn't appear to be at risk of losing the closing job any time soon, especially while Robert Suarez (elbow inflammation) is on the injured list.

Lopez allowed one run on four hits and struck out one without walking a batter over three innings in a no-decision versus San Francisco on Friday.

Lopez threw 35 of 57 pitches for strikes. He's not fully stretched out after spending time in the bullpen for the last two months. He now has a 3.47 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 40:21 K:BB through 46.2 innings over 19 games (six starts) this season. Hurston Waldrep pitched two scoreless innings in relief during Friday's game, but he also walked four batters. The last spot in Atlanta's rotation figures to be in flux at least through the All-Star break. Lopez could ultimately stretch out more, but it wouldn't be surprising if some sort of piggyback arrangement emerges since Waldrep also isn't fully stretched out after returning from elbow surgery he underwent in February. This spot in the rotation comes up again at home versus St. Louis next week.

Treinen does not have any structural damage in his injured right elbow, per MLB.com.

Treinen landed on the injured list June 20 due to right elbow inflammation. He subsequently underwent imaging, which revealed only inflammation due to wear and tear. As such, Treinen could be back with the Dodgers' bullpen sometime in July.

Dotel (lat) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Altoona on Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Dotel has been on the injured list with a right lat strain since June 13. It's unclear how many rehab appearances the Pirates will have him make, but he could be cleared to rejoin Pittsburgh's bullpen before the end of the month.