MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez hadn't pitched in nearly two weeks after being recalled back on May 23 and making an appearance that day. He's being replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Ben Heller.

The Blue Jays optioned Burr to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Burr had just joined the Jays last week and allowed one run over 3.1 innings covering two relief appearances. He's clearing out to make room for Bowden Francis' (forearm) return from the injured list.

The Cardinals optioned Loutos to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

St. Louis is swapping out right-handed relievers, replacing Loutos with Chris Roycroft. Loutos contributed 1.1 scoreless innings over two appearances during his brief time in the majors.

The Mariners signed Bowman to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Bowman elected free agency last week after the Diamondbacks had removed him from their 40-man roster, but it didn't take him a long time to find a new home. He will make $1 million if he joins the major-league roster and his deal includes multiple opt-outs, per Heyman. Bowman holds a 5.02 ERA and 10:6 K:BB over 14.1 innings at the big-league level this season.

Atlanta transferred Matzek (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Brian Anderson, who signed a one-year deal with the club. Matzek has been sidelined for nearly a month with left elbow inflammation and now won't be eligible to return for at least another month.

Strickland (2-1) earned the win in relief over San Diego on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Tyler Anderson allowed just one run over 6.2 standout frames before turning the ball over to Strickland with runners on second and third and two outs in the seventh inning. The reliever escaped the jam by getting David Peralta to fly out, then wiggled out of his own two-on, one-out situation in the eighth. Strickland subsequently became the pitcher of record when the Angels broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of that frame. Though he has primarily pitched in lower-leverage situations this year, Strickland has been arguably the team's most effective reliever, posting a 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 25.2 innings while notching two wins and two holds.

Walston is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Giants at Chase Field.

After he was called up from Triple-A Reno on May 26, Walston made his first big-league start later that day against the Marlins, striking out four over 4.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision. Arizona had previously confirmed Walston for a start against the Mets this past weekend, but he was ultimately pushed back in the pitching schedule after the Diamondbacks elected to call up Slade Cecconi from Reno to slot into the rotation following Zac Gallen's (hamstring) placement on the 15-day injured list. Until one of Gallen, Merrill Kelly (shoulder) or Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) returns from the IL, the Diamondbacks should have back-end rotation spots available for both Walston and Cecconi.

Triple-A Salt Lake placed Wantz on its 7-day injured list April 19 with a right forearm injury, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Wantz has worked almost exclusively as a reliever at the big-league level with the Angels over the previous three seasons, but he had been working out of the rotation at Salt Lake after being optioned to Triple-A coming out of spring training. The right-hander had gotten off to a solid start in his first four starts with Salt Lake with a 4.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB across 17.1 innings, but the forearm injury has halted any momentum Wantz might have built toward a possible promotion to the big leagues. It's unclear when Wantz might be ready to head out on a rehab assignment with one of the Angels' lower-level affiliates.

Richards will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher Tuesday against the Orioles, Mike Wilner of The Toronto Star reports.

Richards has gone more than one inning in seven of his 25 relief appearances this season, including a 3.1-inning appearance last Wednesday against the White Sox. However, he hasn't thrown more than 38 pitches in any outing and will be pitching on just one day of rest after making an one-inning appearance Sunday versus Pittsburgh. The expectation is that Bowden Francis (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to work in bulk relief behind Richards.

The Diamondbacks transferred Frias' (shoulder) rehab assignment to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Frias has been on Arizona's injured list since April 19 with right shoulder inflammation but finally looks to be inching toward a return to the active roster. He began his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League over the weekend, tossing a scoreless inning in his lone outing. He'll likely make a handful of relief appearances for Reno before rejoining the big-league bullpen.