MLB Player News

Holton gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Jason Foley was brought on in the eighth inning to face Vladimir Guerrero, Bo Bichette and George Springer, leaving Holton to handle the bottom of Toronto's order. The southpaw gave up a double to Isiah Kiner-Falefa but otherwise had little trouble. With Alex Lange sent down to Triple-A on Thursday, there's a vacancy in Detroit's high-leverage crew, and Holton might be the guy to fill it. Through 18 appearances this season, he sports a 3.76 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB over 26.1 innings with three wins and two holds in addition to Saturday's save.

The Cubs optioned Cuas to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With Drew Smyly (hip) returning from the injured list, Cuas will be pushed back down to Triple-A after nearly two weeks in the majors. The 29-year-old right-hander gave up three earned runs in 5.1 innings during his latest stint in the majors, and he figures to be on the short list to return to the Cubs' bullpen if they find themselves in need of a fresh arm.

The Cubs reinstated Smyly (hip) from the injured list Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smyly landed on the injured list in late April due to a right hip impingement. He struck out five batters in three scoreless innings during his lone rehab game at High-A South Bend on Tuesday. He had put up a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 12.2 innings before getting injured and figures to reprise his role as a middle reliever now that he's fully recovered. Jose Cuas was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Marte (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Marte has been on the injured list since early May due to shoulder inflammation, but he has now been given the green light to test his shoulder in a game environment. It's unclear how long the 29-year-old reliever will remain in the minors, but he will presumably return to a middle-relief role with the Phillies once he comes back from the IL.

The Brewers traded Vieira and Aneuris Rodriguez to the Orioles on Saturday in exchange for Garrett Stallings.

Vieira was DFA'd by Milwaukee on Monday, but he will once again possess a spot on a big-league roster as he joins the Orioles. The 30-year-old reliever posted a 4.97 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 25.1 innings during his tenure with the Brewers, and he'll likely slide into a low-leverage role in Baltimore's bullpen.

The Angels reinstated Zuniga (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Zuniga made four appearances with the Angels before being placed on the injured list April 8 due to a right pectoral strain. He made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake, allowing just one hit while striking out two over two frames. The 25-year-old right-hander will continue to work through the minors as he looks to make his way back to the big club.

The Athletics designated Bielak for assignment Saturday.

The move comes with the Athletics recalling right-hander Tyler Ferguson from Triple-A Las Vegas. Oakland acquired Bielak from the Houston on May 16 after the Astros DFA'd the 28-year-old right-hander May 11. Bielak appeared in three games for the Athletics, and he did not give up a run over his last two outings. He's out of minor-league options, but Bielak should still draw interest from teams that are in need of right-handed depth in the bullpen.

Avila (1-0) allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out four over two innings to earn the win Friday over the Mets.

Another big comeback from the Giants in the eighth inning put Avila in line for his first major-league win after he pitched the sixth and seventh. It's a positive moment in a season that's had few of them for the rookie right-hander. Avila has been scored on in all but one of his appearances, posting an 8.49 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB over 11.2 innings in a low-leverage role. He's filling the roster spot of Blake Snell (personal), who is expected to return from the paternity list early next week, at which point Avila is among the candidates to be optioned out.

Hernandez pitched a perfect inning in Friday's 8-1 win over the Rays.

Hernandez got three straight flyouts from Jonathan Aranda, Randy Arozarena and Jose Caballero to finish off the lopsided game. Hernandez missed nearly two months to begin 2024 as well as all of spring training due to a pinched nerve in his right shoulder. He pitched to an 8.22 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB over 7.2 innings during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha, though he kept runs off the board in five of his last six outings before he was activated. The Royals' bullpen has been OK this year, with James McArthur and John Schreiber leading the way for high-leverage opportunities, so Hernandez is likely to be eased in for his first few appearances.

The Rays reinstated Devenski (knee) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Devenski landed on the IL on April 29 due to right knee tendinitis. He made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham, and in his last outing he gave up one run on two hits while striking out three over three innings. Devenski will be available for the Rays' weekend series against the Royals, and the 33-year-old right-hander is expected to be used as a long reliever upon his return.