MLB Player News

The Royals designated Falter for assignment Wednesday.

Kansas City will drop Falter from its 40-man roster after the veteran lefty was roughed up for nine earned runs in 4.1 innings over his previous two starts, during which he served as an opener in bullpen games. The 29-year-old didn't fare much better in his three relief appearances with Kansas City before that, yielding six earned runs over 5.1 innings. The Royals will replace Falter with a fresh relief arm in right-hander Mason Black, who was recalled from Triple-A Omaha ahead of Wednesday's series finale versus the Yankees.

The Blue Jays selected Voth's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Voth will provide the bullpen with some protection after the Blue Jays used five pitchers in Tuesday's win over the Marlins. He's grabbed the roster spot vacated by Tanner Andrews.

The Blue Jays optioned Andrews to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Andrews logged a pair of scoreless appearances after getting his first big-league promotion earlier this week. The Blue Jays are replacing him with a fresh bullpen arm in Austin Voth, who was called up from Triple-A.

Parker gave up two runs on three hits and a walk over three relief innings Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Guardians. He struck out five.

The 26-year-old southpaw actually fulfilled two separate requirements for a save, as he entered the game with the Nationals ahead 4-1 and stayed in the game the rest of the way after they tacked on a couple insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Parker has worked more than one inning in five of seven May appearances, posting a 5.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 15.2 innings with two holds in addition to Tuesday's save, but a lack of reliable bullpen options for Washington could keep him in the high-leverage mix.

Minter gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday during a loss to the Reds.

Seeing his first big-league action in over a year due to a lat injury that required surgery last May, Minter fired 10 of 16 pitches for strikes. The southpaw's velocity was down -- he topped out at 93.6 mph with his fastball after averaging 94.5 mph the prior two seasons -- but that could come around as he shakes off the last of his rust. Minter should quickly slot back into a high-leverage role in the Mets' bullpen, sharing setup duties with Luke Weaver and Brooks Raley.

Manaea worked three innings of relief in Tuesday's loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six.

The veteran lefty tossed 68 pitches (46 strikes) and helped steady the ship after a rocky start by David Peterson. Manaea has put together a semi-respectable May, posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over five appearances and 12 innings. With the Mets running out of rotation options, he could be the next man up if Peterson gets removed from his current role, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Fuentes will likely remain in a long-relief role this season unless Atlanta endures further injuries in the rotation, but his long-term future is still as a starting pitcher, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports. "Developing starters in the bullpen used to be the blueprint in this game," manager Walt Weiss said Monday. "I think you have to identify the guys that can benefit, and (Fuentes) is one of those guys."

The right-hander doesn't turn 21 years old for another few weeks, but Fuentes has been impressive in the big-league bullpen this season, posting a 2.66 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB in 20.1 innings over 13 appearances (one start) with three wins and two holds. He had been almost exclusively a starter in the minors, but he's adjusted well to his new role. "It's thanks to the veterans in the bullpen and rotation," Fuentes said Monday via a translator. "They've taught me so much about preparation and sequencing, but at the same time, they've helped me mature as a person."

Patrick is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals in Milwaukee, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Patrick will be making his sixth start of the season but his first since May 4, with each of his last five appearances having come out of the bullpen. He's thrived in the new role, collecting two holds and two saves while striking out nine and allowing just four baserunners over 9.2 scoreless frames. Though he likely won't be counted on to handle a typical starter's workload Wednesday, Patrick should still be able to provide the Brewers with a decent amount of length to begin the game after having completed four- and three-inning outings since shifting to relief. Patrick's move back to the rotation is unlikely to be a long-term arrangement; Quinn Priester (shoulder) is being targeted for around 80-to-85 pitches in a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville and could be ready to come off the injured list the next time the Brewers are in need of a fifth starter.

Poulin will serve as the opening pitcher for the Nationals in Wednesday's game versus the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Poulin opened the series opener Monday, too, allowing one run on a solo home run in his two innings of work. Miles Mikolas is slated to absorb the bulk of the innings for the Nationals on Wednesday.

The Rays placed Scholtens on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to a right wrist strain.

Scholtens presumably sustained the injury during his relief appearance against the Orioles on Monday, when he was charged with the loss and a blown save after surrendering five runs (three earned) on four hits over 1.1 innings. Tampa Bay signed right-hander Craig Kimbrel to a one-year deal and will have him take over Scholtens' spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen.