MLB Player News

The Guardians optioned Aleman to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Aleman has given up one run in 4.1 innings since coming up from Triple-A last week, but the Guardians will send him back to the minors in order to add a fresh arm to their bullpen in Logan Allen. Now sporting a 3.38 ERA through 18.2 MLB innings, Aleman has a strong chance to return to Cleveland at some point during the final stretch of the season.

The Guardians recalled Allen from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Allen has spent the majority of the season at Columbus, turning in a 4.37 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with a 112:35 K:BB across 94.2 innings. He'll now rejoin the big club to presumably provide length out of the bullpen, replacing Franco Aleman.

The Rays optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

After coming up from the minors July 29, Roycroft coughed up six earned runs on eight hits and two walks while fanning two batters in 4.1 innings. His poor performance will now cost him his place in the Rays' bullpen in favor of Joe Boyle.

The Angels claimed Martin off waivers from the Rays on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Martin was DFA'd by Tampa Bay on Thursday after putting up a 3.97 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 11.1 innings with the Rays, but he'll now find a new home on the West Coast. The 25-year-old will begin his tenure with the Angels at Triple-A but could be promoted at some point later in the year to give the Halos a fresh bullpen arm.

The Blue Jays designated Estrada for assignment Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

After losing his place in Toronto's bullpen Friday, Estrada will now also give up his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Daz Cameron. Estrada has given up eight runs through 13 innings in the majors this season, but teams in need of bullpen depth may be intrigued by his 2.57 ERA in 28 innings at Triple-A.

The Blue Jays optioned Lee to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Lee will be pushed out of Toronto's bullpen after giving up four earned runs in just one inning during his last appearance Thursday against Boston. Ricky Tiedemann will come up from Buffalo to replenish the Blue Jays' bullpen depth.

Peralta will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Peralta has given up 11 earned runs in 12.2 innings since the All-Star break, but the Padres will trust him to get through the first inning or two of Saturday's contest nonetheless. Randy Vasquez is likely to work in bulk relief once Peralta comes out of the game.

Montgomery recorded his fourth save of the season in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox, striking out the only batter he faced.

After Luke Weaver worked a perfect eighth inning, Kirby Yates got the call in the ninth to protect a five-run lead but ran into trouble with two outs, forcing manager Don Kelly to turn to Montgomery with the tying run in the on-deck circle. Despite the Pirates' veteran bullpen additions at the trade deadline, it's Montgomery who's collected the team's last two saves and three of the last four, with Gregory Soto getting the other. Montgomery has more than earned a shot at the full-time closer role -- he's been scored upon just once in his last 17 appearances dating back to June 29, producing a 1.15 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB in just 15.2 innings over that dominant stretch.

Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 15th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Marlins. He didn't strike out a batter.

The veteran reliever had been dealing with hand soreness earlier in the week and missed out on a save chance Thursday as a result, but Pagan didn't seem bothered by the issue Friday, firing eight of 11 pitches for strikes. He's gone 10 straight appearances without allowing a run since a rocky outing at Coors Field on July 19, posting a 0.40 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB in 10 innings over that stellar stretch while converting all eight of his save opportunities.

Webb worked around a hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out one.

After 6.2 sparkling innings from starter Clay Holmes, Webb followed Ryan Rolison and Ryan Zeferjahn in shutting the door on St. Louis. Webb now has nine saves this season to go along with a strong 2.33 ERA and 10.2 K/9 across 54 innings. He appears to be Chicago's closer of choice at the moment, and he's pitched well enough that he could hold onto the role even after Daniel Palencia (elbow) returns from the injured list in the near future.