MLB Player News

Pop (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pop has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a strained right hamstring but would appear close to heading out on a rehab assignment. The reliever posted a 6.59 ERA over 15 appearances before getting hurt.

The Dodgers selected Cyr from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Cyr put together a decent campaign in the majors last season with Oakland and Philadelphia. However, his numbers have taken a step back in the PCL this year with a 4.86 ERA and 1.67 WHIP through 16.2 frames. The 30-year-old righty will provide depth to the Dodgers' bullpen and take the place of Andre Jackson, who was optioned to Oklahoma City on Friday.

The Dodgers optioned Jackson to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Jackson allowed three earned runs over 3.1 innings of mop-up relief in Thursday's blowout loss to the Cardinals. He carries a 7.98 ERA in 14.2 total innings this season at the MLB level.

Jackson was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Friday with a right flexor tendon strain.

It's an injury which typically results in longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Jackson was part of the closer mix in a messy A's bullpen situation but now figures to be out of commission for at least a month or so. Not a single active member of the bullpen has recorded a save this season.

The Athletics selected Erceg from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The A's acquired Erceg from Milwaukee on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, and now the 28-year-old will get his first chance in the big leagues. Erceg holds a 6.47 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in the minors this season but has shown an ability to strike batters out at an above-average rate. Still, it's unlikely he gets many high-leverage opportunities in an unsettled Oakland bullpen before proving he can succeed in the big leagues.

The Athletics designated Neal for assignment Friday.

After optioning Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Neal will now be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Lucas Erceg, who was acquired in a trade from Milwaukee on Wednesday. Neal has made two major-league appearances this season, allowing three earned runs across 3.1 innings.

Baker (3-1) allowed two runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning versus the Angels on Thursday, taking the loss.

Adley Rutschman's two-run home run in the seventh inning put the Orioles ahead, but Baker put two runners on in the eighth. Austin Voth and Danny Coulombe each allowed an inherited runner to score, both charged to Baker. Prior to Thursday, Baker had allowed just one run over his last 20 appearances combined. He's now at a 2.57 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB through 21 innings this season. The right-hander's earned high-leverage work with the Orioles down a couple of key arms, but it's unclear if Baker will maintain that role once Mychal Givens (knee) and Dillon Tate (forearm) are back from the injured list.

The Giants selected Walker's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Walker will join the Giants ahead of their three-game series with the Marlins. The right-hander has produced an impressive 0.89 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 23 strikeouts over 20.1 inning s in 15 appearances, including three starts, with Sacramento this season. Walker will help replace Ross Stripling (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday. This will be Walker's first career stint in the big leagues and he could be asked to make a spot start or two.

Anderson (2-0) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Thursday to pick up the win in a victory over the Rangers.

The 32-year-old right-hander continues to look good in a comeback campaign. Anderson managed to work only 22.1 innings over the prior three seasons while dealing with multiple injuries, but so far in 2023 he's posted a 2.95 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB through 18.1 frames with a save and six holds. His velocity remains down over two mph from his 2019 big-league debut and he might never rack up an elite strikeout rate north of 40 percent again, but Anderson has still been very effective in a setup role ahead of Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias.

Floro earned a save against the Nationals on Thursday, walking one batter in a scoreless inning of work.

Floro came on in the ninth to preserve Eury Perez's first big-league win, and he succeeded in doing so despite issuing a leadoff walk. It was the third save over the past five days for Floro, who has taken over as Miami's primary closer with A.J. Puk (elbow) on the 15-day IL. Given his success since moving into the role, Floro could be trusted with additional opportunities even after Puk returns.