MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Cruz was recalled Thursday to bolster the Royals' bullpen after Dan Altavilla (oblique) was placed on the injured list. Cruz did not make a major-league appearance, and he will return to Omaha where he has registered a 4.50 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB over 26 innings. The move comes with Michael Wacha (foot) being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Newcomb (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Twins after picking off Austin Martin for the final out of the eighth inning.

It was the first time in Athletics history a pitcher recorded a victory without officially facing a batter, as Newcomb was able to escape the two-out, two-on jam he inherited from Lucas Erceg with his pick-off throw. The quick two-pitch outing and win represent a much-needed reprieve for the veteran left-hander, who'd surrendered five earned runs on four hits and three walks over the 3.1 innings covering his previous two appearances.

Voth (2-1) was charged with the extra-inning loss to the Marlins on Friday, allowing a walk-off RBI single on the one pitch he threw.

Voth was asked to preserve a 2-2 tie when he entered in the 10th after both Ryne Stanek and Andres Munoz had already worked an inning apiece, but Voth immediately faltered by allowing a game-winning single to Tim Anderson that plated automatic runner Jake Burger. Despite the quick stumble Friday, Voth has been a picture of consistency in the later innings recently, allowing just one earned run in his last 12 appearances while generating an 0.43 WHIP, one win and six holds in the 9.1 innings covering that span.

The Cubs optioned Little to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After being recalled from the minors May 15, Little logged a 2.31 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 12 batters and walking 10 across 11.2 innings. Despite the southpaw's overall success, he'll be sent back to Iowa in order to clear room for Keegan Thompson, who returned from the paternity list Saturday.

The Cubs reinstated Thompson from the paternity list Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Thompson has been away from the team since Wednesday due to the birth of his son, and he'll now rejoin the Cubs' bullpen ahead of Saturday's game versus the Mets. In order to make room on the roster, Luke Little was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

The Mets recalled Young from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

With Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) headed for the injured list, Young will return to New York in order to make up for the loss in New York's bullpen. The 30-year-old lefty has given up one run in nine innings over his previous stints in the majors this season and will likely operate in middle relief while with the Mets.

The Mets placed Reid-Foley on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder impingement, retroactive to Thursday.

Reid-Foley began the season on the injured list due to a similar injury, and the issue seems to have resurfaced following his latest appearance Wednesday. He'll be sidelined until at least July 5. Meanwhile Danny Young will come up from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open spot in New York's bullpen.

Brieske worked around a hit to toss two scoreless innings of relief and earn a hold in Friday's 2-1 win over the White Sox.

The hold is the first of the season for Brieske and the fifth of his career. Since starting 15 games as a rookie in 2022, the righty has transitioned to the bullpen for the Tigers, and he's been an effective long reliever this year. Brieske has logged 20.1 innings across his 11 appearances, posting a 2.66 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. While the numbers are good, his fantasy value is limited in his current role.

Hodge tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 11-1 loss to the Mets. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out five.

In a game that featured 14 hits and 11 runs for New York, Hodge was a bright spot out of the Chicago bullpen. The rookie set a new career best in strikeouts, and he now has 12 of them across 7.1 innings this season to go along with a strong 2.45 ERA. If Hodge can keep pitching like this, he may see his role expand as the year goes on.

Minter (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome on Saturday.

Minter has been on the injured list since the end of May due to left hip inflammation, but he has now been given the green light to return to a competitive setting. It's unclear how long the 30-year-old southpaw will remain in the minors, but it shouldn't take long for him to build back up as a reliever. He currently owns a 2.95 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 21.1 innings on the year, and he will likely reprise his role as Atlanta's main setup man upon returning to the big-league bullpen.