MLB Player News

Blanco (2-0) yielded three runs on four hits and four walks over five innings Friday, striking out two and earning a win against Texas.

Most of the damage against Blanco came in the fourth inning when he served up back-to-back solo homers to Josh Jung and Jonah Heim. Despite the lackluster outing, Blanco picked up his second career win and first since June 1. Since moving from the bullpen to the rotation, he's registered a 4.82 ERA and a 23:15 K:BB through five starts. He's currently projected for a home matchup with the Rockies next week.

Pressly struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Rangers on Friday.

Pressly quickly rolled through the Rangers with 13 pitches in a perfect ninth inning. He's converted four straight saves and turned in seven straight hitless frames. On the year, his ERA is down to 2.80 with a 38:7 K:BB and 16 saves across 35.1 frames.

Doval issued one walk in a scoreless inning Friday, striking out one and earning a save over the Mets.

Doval needed just 11 pitches to finish off the 5-4 win. He's now converted six straight save chances after a rare misstep June 16 against the Dodgers. Doval lowered his ERA to a stellar 1.89 ERA with a 53:17 K:BB through 38 frames.

Johnson allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Tigers.

Johnson had yielded the bulk of recent save opportunities to Justin Lawrence, but the latter hasn't pitched since Wednesday. This was Johnson's fifth consecutive scoreless outing, and it earned him his first save since June 13. The right-hander has a 6.00 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 49:20 K:BB with 13 saves and two holds through 33 innings this season, but Johnson will likely remain in the late-inning mix despite his shaky numbers after being the closer for the first two months of the season.

Robertson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The right-hander was sent to Triple-A to make room for Daniel Hudson (knee), who was activated off the 60-day injured list. Robertson showed some decent flashes during his short time in the Los Angeles bullpen, but a 9.39 ERA and 2.22 WHIP in 7.2 innings suggests there's more work to be done before he'll be a reliable option.

Hudson (knee) was activated off the 60-day injured list Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson will make his season debut after missing the first three months of the season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last June. The right-hander will likely be a high-leverage reliever for the Dodgers and could even see some save chances, but he may be eased into that role over his first few appearances.

Wantz was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Friday.

Wantz gave up four runs over two innings in his only appearance with the Angels in June, and he'll head back to Salt Lake with the Angels adding Victor Mederos to the bullpen in a corresponding transaction. Wantz is likely to be up and down for Los Angeles throughout the summer.

The Angeles selected the contract of Mederos from Double-A Rocket City on Friday.

Mederos registered a 5.98 ERA in his 12 starts with the Trash Pandas, but he also struck out 71 over 55.2 innings. He'll likely be a multi-inning reliever while with the Angels in his first taste of major-league action.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Rodriguez will head back to Triple-A after being called up Saturday. He appeared in four games while in the majors, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over 3.1 innings while striking out three batters over four appearances. With Glenn Otto (lat) returning to the major-league roster Friday, Rodriguez was the one booted from the Rangers' bullpen.

The Rangers activated Otto (lat) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Otto has been on the shelf all season with a right lat strain and will now rejoin the Rangers' pitching staff. He looked good during his rehab assignment, surrendering three runs on six hits while striking out 14 batters and walking only one across 10 Triple-A innings. Given the strength of Texas' rotation, it's likely he'll be relegated to the bullpen -- even if the team chooses to run with a six-man rotation, he'd have to compete with Cody Bradford for the final spot.