MLB Player News

Hughes (knee) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hughes' inflamed left knee responded well to playing catch Friday, so he'll take the next step forward in his throwing progression by getting back on the mound to close out the weekend. Because he's on the injured list for the second time this season with a left knee issue, Hughes may not be a lock to be activated from the IL in the minimum 15 days. He'll likely need to make at least one or two minor-league rehab appearances prior to being reinstated.

Borucki elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Rather than sticking around in the Cubs organization with the club's top minor-league affiliate, the lefty reliever will hit the open market with the hope of finding a landing spot that can present him with a clearer path back to the majors. Prior to being outrighted off the 40-man roster, Borucki logged a 12.00 ERA and 2.11 WHIP over his nine innings at Iowa.

Coulombe (1-1) allowed a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning Saturday versus Atlanta, taking the loss and a blown save. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

After emerging as a solid middle-relief option in April, Coulombe has blown two leads in two appearances to begin May. Bryan Baker left a runner on base with one out in the eighth inning, and Coulombe served up a two-run home run to pinch hitter Kevin Pillar. For the season, Coulombe is at a 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB across 12 innings, and he's picked up five holds. Despite the recent slump, he should still be part of the bridge to closer Felix Bautista when the Orioles are holding leads late.

Stephan (2-1) earned the win Saturday versus the Twins. He allowed a run on one hit and struck out two over 1.1 innings.

Stephan was charged with a blown save when he allowed a seventh-inning solo shot to Carlos Correa. Steven Kwan responded in the bottom of the seventh to restore the Guardians' lead, giving Stephan his second win this season. The right-hander has been a little unsteady in allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits and three walks over his last nine outings. The setup man has a 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 14 innings this season while adding a save and four holds.

Helsley (knee) said he's a "full go" for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Helsley didn't allow a run over two-thirds of an inning Friday versus Detroit but wasn't available for Saturday's contest due to some soreness around his surgically repaired left knee, though it's apparently not much of a concern. The 28-year-old righty has given up runs in just two of his 11 outings this season, though he's only 3-for-6 in save chances and has a somewhat bloated 3.75 ERA since he allowed five runs between those two contests.

Clase struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Twins.

Clase had blown two of his last three save chances entering Saturday, but he had no trouble protecting a one-run lead this time around. He's struck out only 10 batters while walking four over 17.1 innings this season, but he's been able to limit the damage well with a 2.08 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He's now 11-for-14 in save chances and remains unchallenged for the closer role in Cleveland.

The Royals recalled Castillo from Triple-A Omaha ahead of Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Castillo will provide the Royals with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen after Kansas City needed six relievers to cover 8.2 frames between the first two games of the series with Oakland. The Royals still plan on developing Castillo as a starter, so he'll likely be in line for only a brief stay with Kansas City before returning to Triple-A and slotting back into the Omaha rotation.

The Royals optioned Heasley to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Heasley tossed 2.2 innings and 38 pitches out of the bullpen in Friday's 12-8 loss to Oakland and wasn't likely to be available for another day or two, so the Royals are opting to move him off the 26-man active roster in favor of a fresh arm in Max Castillo, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Heasley should reclaim a rotation spot as he heads back to Omaha.

Holmes earned a hold against Tampa Bay on Saturday, allowing one hit in an inning of work.

After New York rallied to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, manager Aaron Boone turned to Holmes to face the heart of the Rays' order in the bottom of the frame. He gave up a leadoff single that was quickly erased on a double play and needed just seven pitches overall to get through the scoreless inning. However, rather than being kept in the game to go for a multi-inning save, Holmes was relieved by Ian Hamilton, who closed things out for his first career save. There was no changing of the guard here -- if anything, it was a testament to Boone's faith in Holmes that he brought him in to face the toughest part of Tampa's lineup -- but the outing was a reminder that Holmes won't always work the ninth inning. He had been struggling of late, so a positive spin is that the effective performance against MLB's top team could help the closer regain any diminished confidence.

Hamilton earned a save against the Rays on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

After New York rallied to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, it turned to closer Clay Holmes to protect the advantage against the heart of Tampa's order in the bottom of the frame. He did so on just seven pitches, but rather than have Holmes go for a multi-inning save, manager Aaron Boone opted to bring in Hamilton to close things out with the score still 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth. Hamilton allowed a two-out double but got Isaac Paredes to fly out to end the contest and notch his first career save. The righty reliever has been fantastic for New York this season, posting a 1.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB over 19 innings. Based on those numbers and his surprise ninth-inning usage Saturday, it wouldn't be surprising if he starts to see more high-leverage work, though Holmes and Michael King remain the prime candidates for saves in the Yankees' bullpen.