MLB Player News

The Tigers claimed Diaz off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Diaz was designated for assignment last weekend after he was tagged for seven runs on seven hits and one walk across two-thirds of an inning in last Saturday's loss to the Twins. The 25-year-old still sports a high-90s fastball and potentially plus slider despite major control and command issues, and he'll get a fresh start in Detroit's organization.

Cruz is listed as the Royals' opener for Friday's game against the White Sox.

Kansas City has an opening in its rotation Friday with Stephen Kolek (personal) away from the team while he awaits the birth of his child, so Cruz will step in to make his first MLB start since 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance this season and will be pitching on just two days' rest, so he's unlikely to last even once through the batting order. The Royals called up Mitch Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, and he'll presumably be tasked with covering multiple innings in bulk relief.

The Mets optioned Duarte to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Duarte was just recalled Thursday and did not make an appearance in a loss to the Cubs. The righty reliever has managed five scoreless frames across three appearances for the Mets this season.

The Reds recalled McCambley from Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

McCambley logged three appearances for the Reds earlier this month, allowing three runs with a 4:2 K:BB over four innings. The 27-year-old is likely to serve in a middle relief role.

The Reds placed Santillan on the 15-day injured list Friday with an oblique strain, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

It's unclear when he was hurt, but Santillan last pitched Monday versus the Brewers. The right-hander had stabilized the Reds' closer job of late, turning in a 1.13 ERA and 6:1 K:BB over his last eight innings while notching three saves. Though he will be eligible for activation July 8, Santillan could be held out until after the All-Star break, given the nature of the injury. Emilio Pagan (hamstring) is on a rehab assignment and is likely to retake the Reds' closer job before Santillan returns from the IL.

The Royals released Jackson on Tuesday.

Jackson signed a minor-league deal with Kansas City last month and appeared in 10 games with Triple-A Omaha, where he registered a 5.27 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 13.2 innings. The 34-year-old hasn't pitched in the big leagues this season after suiting up for three teams in 2025.

The Cubs optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

Ferguson served as the team's 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets, tossing two scoreless innings in the first game. He could get another chance in the majors later this summer but for now will rejoin the bullpen at Iowa.

The White Sox optioned Rock to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Rock has been wild in four outings with the big club this season, walking 11 over 10.1 innings to go along with 12 strikeouts and a 3.48 ERA. He is clearing off the roster to make room for David Sandlin, who will be recalled from Charlotte to start Friday's game versus the Royals.

Thornton earned a save against the Mets on Thursday, retiring all three batters he faced with no strikeouts in the 10th inning.

The Cubs are without closer Daniel Palencia, who is on the injured list due to a flexor strain. Jacob Webb earned the team's first save following Palencia's injury, but he was deployed in the ninth inning Thursday and kept the game tied. After Chicago took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th, Thornton was called upon to close things out. He needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in order and notch the second save of his eight-year MLB career. The closer situation for the Cubs is hazy with Palencia out of the picture, so Thornton could be called upon again to close given his strong 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 17 outings this season. However, he doesn't fit the typical closer profile, as he's recorded only 10 strikeouts across 22 innings.

Chapman earned a save against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing one walk with no strikeouts over one scoreless inning.

Chapman was summoned to close things out with Boston up 6-3 in the ninth inning. The veteran closer had to sweat out the save, as the Yankees loaded the bases with two outs before Chapman retired Ben Rice on a game-ending groundout. Though it wasn't easy, the outing was a bounce-back after Chapman blew his first save his last time out, when he gave up three runs without retiring a batter against the Rockies. The fireballing lefty is up to 15 saves on the campaign, tied for ninth most in the majors, and has a 1.99 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 22.2 innings.