MLB Player News

Helsley (6-4) was credited with the win in a victory over the Twins on Friday, allowing two hits and recording two strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Helsley served as the bridge to the eighth inning after taking over for starter Wade LeBlanc with two outs in the sixth. The 27-year-old right-hander has encountered some rough patches this season, but he's been in a nice groove for quite some time -- factoring in Friday's scoreless effort, Helsley now boasts a 3-0 record, 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and three holds over the 19 innings covering his last nine appearances.

Chargois fired a perfect seventh inning in a win over the Red Sox on Friday, recording a strikeout.

The reliever was put right to work following his trade from the Mariners and displayed top-notch efficiency, getting first-pitch strikes on all three batters he faced and recording three outs on just 12 pitches. The Rays thought highly enough of Chargois to deal away closer Diego Castillo for him, so it's likely the right-hander sees a steady flow of work moving forward.

McHugh (arm) threw a bullpen session Friday, the Associated Press reports.

The veteran is trying to work back as quickly as possible from a bit of a dead arm. McHugh has been an elite component of a strong Rays relief corps while forging a 1.51 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 12.7 K/9, and the team's official site reports there's hope he can return to action sooner than several fellow sidelined bullpen mates.

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

The righty appeared in two games after being recalled Sunday, allowing one hit and striking out one in 1.2 scoreless innings. With a 4.58 ERA in 39.1 innings this season, Thornton has pitched well enough to earn future opportunities with the big-league club. Alek Manoah (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move Saturday.

Abreu was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Abreu will be one of the players to make way as the Astros add their deadline-day acquisitions to the roster. He hasn't excelled this season, though his 4.08 ERA in 35.1 innings is perfectly serviceable, so Abreu could return to the big-league bullpen at some point in the second half.

Long was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Long tossed two scoreless innings in his return from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, but he'll be sent to the minors after he gave up three runs (two earned) on a hit and a walk in a third of an inning Friday. His demotion will make room in the bullpen for Tony Watson, who was acquired via trade Friday.

Zimmermann (biceps) is moving his rehab assignment to High-A Aberdeen on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The southpaw is expected to need at least two rehab starts before he could potentially rejoin the Orioles' big-league roster. Zimmermann is still likely at least 10 days away from being activated.

Karinchak (7-3) took the loss Friday versus the White Sox. He allowed two runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman while failing to record an out.

Karinchak lacked control throughout the appearance, and the White Sox were able to capitalize. The 25-year-old was done after he threw an errant fastball with the bases loaded that hit Jose Abreu in the head, causing the benches to clear. It's another rough outing in a month full of them in Cleveland's bullpen. Karinchak has given up six runs in 10.2 innings with an 11:6 K:BB in July, pushing his season ERA up to 3.18 through 45.1 innings. With Cleveland acting as sellers at Friday's trade deadline, save chances for both Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase may be fewer and farther between over the last two months of the season.

Crowe (3-5) allowed one hit and four walks while striking out four in six scoreless innings to earn the win against the Phillies on Friday.

Crowe hadn't allowed fewer than two earned runs in any of his outings since April 25, but he worked through some command issues Friday to earn his second straight win. The righty only tossed 53 of his 92 pitches for strikes and got into some trouble when he issued three walks in the top of the fourth inning, but he still kept the Phillies from crossing the plate. Across three starts since the All-Star break, Crowe has recorded a 3.24 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 16.2 innings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Finnegan allowed one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save against the Cubs on Friday.

Finnegan has taken on ninth-inning duties after Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) were traded away, and he's converted on a pair of save chances across the last two days. The right-hander allowed two runs in his first appearance after the All-Star break, but he's now tossed 7.2 scoreless innings in his last seven outings and should be considered the favorite for save opportunities.