MLB Player News

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.

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.