MLB Player News

Garcia pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over Pittsburgh.

After taking blown saves in his last two outings, this was an encouraging return to form for Garcia. He protected a two-run lead to make sure Sandy Alcantara's eight-inning gem didn't go to waste. For the year, Garcia is 10-for-13 in save chances. He's posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 24 innings.

Triple-A Omaha reinstated Lovelady (undisclosed) from its 7-day injured list Sunday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Lovelady's injury had prevented him from pitching since he was optioned to the minors April 17. The 25-year-old lefty has made 26 appearances out of the Kansas City bullpen over the past two seasons, logging a 7.71 ERA over 21 career innings.

Voth was removed in the top of the third inning of Sunday's game against the Phillies after he was hit in the face by a Vince Velasquez pitch during an at-bat, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

Summoned from the bullpen to make a spot start in place of Stephen Strasburg (neck), Voth struck out two over a perfect two innings and appeared poised to come back out for a third frame. However, he didn't get the opportunity after taking a 90 mile-per-hour Velasquez offering to the front of his helmet, with the ball then deflecting off the left side of his face. Though sporting a bloody nose, Voth was able to walk off the field under his own power, but he'll likely be subject to X-rays and concussion tests before the Nationals provide an updated diagnosis of his injury.

General manager Ross Atkins said Sunday that Borucki (forearm) is pain-free and close to starting a throwing progression, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Borucki has been on the injured list since May 14 with the forearm strain and has taken longer than initially expected to return. He'll resume throwing in the coming days, which will likely be followed by a rehab assignment if all goes well. With that said, a mid-to-late-June return to the Blue Jays' bullpen appears to be the best-case scenario for the southpaw.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Fulmer, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, will undergo further tests on his strained right shoulder later in the day when the Tigers return to Detroit, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers don't believe Fulmer is dealing with structural damage to the shoulder, but the medical tests should provide more information about the extent of his injury and a potential timeline for his recovery. With Fulmer on the shelf for at least the next week and a half, Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero look like the best options for saves out of the Detroit bullpen.

Balazovic (back) struck out five batters with two walks over 3.1 scoreless innings Saturday for Double-A Wichita in his 2021 debut.

Balazovic suffered a back injury during spring training that forced him to begin the minor-league season on the injured list. He likely had a limited workload in his first start as a result. The Twins' top pitching prospect also didn't get much work last summer as he was a late addition to the team's alternate training camp, so the Twins may keep him at one level for the full summer.

Staumont (knee) was activated from the injured list Sunday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

Staumont was placed on the 10-day injured list with a knee sprain May 28, with the move being backdated to May 26. He'll now rejoin the Royals after missing just the minimum 10 days, though it's not clear if he'll carry on as the preferred closer option immediately.

Lowther was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Lowther was recalled by the Orioles on Wednesday and then sent back to Norfolk on Thursday without making an appearance with the big club. He'll rejoin Baltimore ahead of their game against Cleveland on Saturday and figures to be able to pitch in long relief if needed. John Means (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding roster move. Lowther could be a candidate to take Means' spot in the rotation while the left-hander recovers.

The Phillies reinstated Neris from the paternity list ahead of Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Reliever David Hale was moved to the COVID-19 injured list to reopen a spot on the active roster for Neris, who was only on the paternity list for one day. He should immediately step back in as the Phillies' closer ahead of their series finale against the Nationals. Through 24 outings this season, Neris has been one of baseball's most reliable end gamers, converting nine of 11 save chances while posting a 1.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB across 23 frames.

Manager Dave Martinez said Voth will start Sunday's game against the Phillies, which the Nationals will treat as a bullpen day, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

After the Nationals elected to send Erick Fedde (COVID-19 injured list) out for a minor-league rehab start Saturday, Voth became the logical choice to pick up a spot start in place of Stephen Strasburg (neck), who was moved back to the IL a few days ago. After Strasburg recorded just four outs in his start June 1 before exiting with the neck strain, Voth stepped in to cover a season-high three innings of long relief. The Nationals apparently don't plan to stretch Voth out much further than that for Sunday's start, as Martinez said the right-hander will likely cover 2-to-3 innings before giving way to the bullpen, according to Maria Torres of The Athletic.