MLB Player News

Hatch (elbow) resumed his rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, pitching two scoreless innings while allowing no hits and one walk in a 29-pitch start.

After opening the season on the 60-day injured list with an inflamed right elbow, Hatch began his rehab assignment at Buffalo on May 20 with a three-inning start. According to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca, Hatch was omitted from Buffalo's pitching schedule for the next three weeks due to "mild tightness in his side," but he's apparently overcome that issue. He'll now turn his focus to building up his innings over his subsequent rehab outings, as Toronto views the 26-year-old right-hander as a potential option for the big-league rotation this season.

Boxberger allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday, striking out one batter and earning a save over Arizona.

Boxberger gave up a leadoff single to Carson Kelly but quickly finished off the next three batters to earn his first save since April 7. He's converted his only two save chances this season and has seven holds alongside a 3.04 ERA. He won't get regular looks in the ninth inning as long as Josh Hader is healthy and dealing.

Voth has been diagnosed with a broken nose after being hit in the face by a pitch and forced to exit his Sunday start against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Voth was tabbed to make a spot start with Stephen Strasburg landing on the injured list with a neck injury. The right-hander was removed in the third inning after a Vince Velasquez fastball hit him in the face during his at-bat. Manager Davey Martinez said that Voth will stay in Philadelphia on Sunday night to get his nose reset. It's unclear how the nose issue will affect his availability going forward or whether he'll require an IL stint.

Atlanta outrighted Arano to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday after he cleared waivers, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Arano posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in seven innings for Gwinnett before Atlanta cast him off its 40-man roster Friday. The 26-year-old posted a 2.73 ERA and gathered 10 holds in 60 appearances for the Phillies in 2018, but he hasn't re-emerged as a big-league-caliber reliever since undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery in May 2019.

The Cardinals assigned Webb to Triple-A Memphis after he cleared waivers Sunday.

Webb was designated for assignment Thursday after posting an ugly 13.22 ERA and 2.51 WHIP over his 22 relief appearances for the big club this season. The 30-year-old will likely need to show sharper command and control at Triple-A for an extended period before the Cardinals entertain the idea of adding him back to the 40-man roster.

Junis was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

Junis picked up a relief win during his last outing, but he's posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 34.2 innings across 15 innings (five starts) to begin the year. He'll head to the minors as part of a shuffle to make room for Jackson Kowar, who will be called up to make his major-league debut as Monday's starter against the Angels.

Kowar will be called up to start Monday's game against the Angels, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

Kowar was dominant in the minors to begin the season, and he was named the Triple-A East pitcher of the month in May. Across six starts for Triple-A Omaha, the right-hander posted a 0.85 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings. Kowar boasts a mid-90s fastball and an elite changeup and will fill in while Danny Duffy (forearm) is sidelined, though the 24-year-old could also make a case for a long-term rotation spot.

The Orioles optioned Lowther to Triple-A Norfolk following Sunday's 18-5 win over Cleveland, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports. Lowther covered the final two innings of the contest, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out three.

Baltimore summoned Lowther from Triple-A earlier Sunday after staff ace John Means (shoulder) was moved to the injured list in a corresponding move. Due to upcoming off days Monday and Thursday, the Orioles are expected to get by with four starters until June 15 in Cleveland, so the team didn't call up Lowther to serve as a direct replacement in the rotation. Lowther would be eligible to rejoin the Orioles on June 15, so he could still be an option to start that game if Means isn't ready to return from the IL.

Smith gave up a solo home run and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

The southpaw was taken deep by Albert Pujols in the ninth inning, but he was able to close out the contest. Smith has given up a run in two of his three appearances in June. He's now a perfect 11-for-11 in save chances despite a somewhat shaky 4.30 ERA and has posted a 1.17 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB across 23 innings. He entered Sunday with a 2.04 FIP, so it's fair to say he's had some bad luck. However, it hasn't resulted in any risk to Smith's grip on the closer job.

Pressly allowed a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over Toronto.

Pressly was never in danger of giving up a three-run lead in the ninth inning. Houston's closer has gone 9-for-10 in save chances with a 2.16 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB across 25 innings this year.