MLB Player News

The Astros selected King's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

King has pitched well at Triple-A this season, posting a 1.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB while recording three saves over 33.2 innings. He'll provide the Astros with a left-handed option out of the bullpen. To make room on the 40-man roster for King, Houston designated right-hander Alex Speas for assignment.

Romano experienced right elbow soreness after long tossing from 120 feet Friday and has been shut down from throwing, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Romano was slated to throw off the mound over the weekend, but he will now take a break while the team determines the next steps. Prior to landing on the injured list June 1, the 31-year-old closer registered eight saves across 15 outings with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 13.2 innings.

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

After being optioned to Triple-A on Friday, Contreras is back with the big club with Jake Bloss (shoulder) headed to the injured list. Contreras has pitched well in his 19 outings with Sugar Land this season, posting a 1.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander could make his major-league debut out of the bullpen in his second call-up with the Astros.

Cisnero (shoulder) threw from 120 feet Friday, per MLB.com.

Cisnero had previously thrown from 120 feet in mid-May but then had his throwing program halted after suffering lower-back tightness. The righty reliever appears to be back on track in his rehab, though it's unclear how far away he is from being ready to return to the Angels' bullpen. Cisnero hasn't pitched in a game since April 27, so he may require a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land following Friday's game against Baltimore, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was recalled by the Astros on June 18 after Justin Verlander (neck) was placed on the injured list. In his one outing during this stint with the big club, Hernandez gave up five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Friday's 14-11 win over the Orioles.

Spiers is slated to start Monday's game against the Pirates in Cincinnati.

He'll be rewarded with a second turn through the rotation and a second straight matchup with the Pirates after he held the Bucs to four runs while striking out five over six innings during his start this past Monday in Pittsburgh. Across his one start and five extended relief appearances this season, Spiers owns a 3.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB over 25.1 innings.

The Marlins recalled Anderson from Triple-A Jacksonville ahead of his start Saturday against the Mariners.

He'll be joining the rotation as a replacement for Jesus Luzardo (back), who was initially slated to start Saturday before being scratched and placed on the 15-day injured list. Luzardo is set to miss at least two turns through the rotation, but Anderson may need to pitch effectively Saturday to earn himself any starts beyond that. Since being acquired from the Rangers on May 30, the 29-year-old righty has previously made one spot start for Miami, giving up seven runs (four earned) on nine hits in two innings in a June 14 loss to the Nationals.

Floro (2-1) gave up a hit in a scoreless sixth inning Friday to record the win over the Rockies. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The 33-year-old righty continues to give the Nationals solid innings in a high-leverage role. Floro has been scored upon just twice in his last 12 appearances, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB through 10 innings over that stretch with three holds in addition to Friday's win.

The Cardinals transferred Middleton (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.

Middleton underwent season-ending surgery June 11 to repair the flexor tendon in his right forearm, so his move to the 60-day IL comes as little surprise. He will give up his 40-man roster spot for Nick Raposo, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Bender (2-2) picked up the win Friday over the Mariners, working a perfect 10th inning without a walk or a strikeout.

The right-hander sat down the bottom of Seattle's order on 14 pitches (eight strikes), then got rewarded when Tim Anderson walked it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame. Over his last 12 appearances, Bender has delivered a 2.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and three holds in addition to Friday's win, and he remains part of the high-leverage mix for Miami.