MLB Player News

The Astros activated Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bolton had been on the shelf since mid-April with mid-back inflammation, but he was cleared to join the big club ahead of Thursday's doubleheader with the Orioles after making a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend. Though he had made starts in his last two appearances with Houston prior to landing on the IL, Bolton will likely slot into the bullpen for the time being and operate as a multi-inning option.

Ferguson (oblique) walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning for Double-A Chattanooga on Tuesday.

Ferguson threw 14 pitches (seven strikes) in his first outing while on a rehab assignment with the Lookouts. The left-hander is expected to be used as an opener Friday before throwing out of the bullpen next week for Chattanooga, per MLB.com.

Diaz said Monday that he's feeling "really good" following right elbow surgery and expressed confidence that he will be back to full strength in the second half of the season, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Diaz also explained that he's dealt with loose bodies in his elbow throughout most of his professional career but hadn't been affected by them until this season. The veteran closer underwent surgery to remove those loose bodies April 22 and stated Monday that he is "really surprised" that movement in his arm is "really good" so soon after the procedure. Diaz followed by saying he's "100 percent" confident that he'll be back at peak form in the second half of the campaign and shared that he wants to return to action "as soon as possible," though that isn't likely to happen until some time after the All-Star break.

Leiter walked one and struck out one without giving up a run over one-third of an inning, earning the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Royals.

Joel Kuhnel entered the game in relief of starter Luis Severino in the eighth inning when the Athletics were up 5-1. In the ninth, Kuhnel created some trouble and allowed a run on two hits and a sacrifice fly. Leiter was brought in and closed the door, earning his first save since April 14. Over his last six outings, Leiter has covered five innings, surrendering one run on four hits and three walks while adding six strikeouts. He's part of the closing committee, and this save has Leiter within one of Kuhnel for the team lead in saves. Leiter is at a 6.23 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 13 innings while adding three saves in five chances and one hold over 15 appearances.

O'Brien secured the save Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

While O'Brien did allow the tying run to get aboard, he held on for his eighth save of the year courtesy of an amazing leaping catch at the wall by Nathan Church for the game's final out. The right-hander is solidifying his grip on St. Louis' closer role, posting a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB over 15.1 frames. O'Brien trails only Mason Miller (10) in saves in the National League so far.

Pallante (3-2) tallied the win Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Pallante delivered perhaps his finest effort of the season so far. The right-hander pitched a season-high six frames, issued no walks for the first time this year and also turned in his third start of the campaign with at least five innings while yielding one or no runs. Pallante has put together a respectable 3.73 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 26:14 K:BB over 31.1 frames, but he's next lined up for a tough assignment against the Brewers.

Jansen (0-2) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while not retiring any batters to blow the save and take the loss Wednesday against Atlanta.

Staked to a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jansen came unraveled quickly. He walked Ozzie Albies to start the frame, then served up a walkoff home run to Matt Olson. It was Jansen's second straight blown save opportunity and his third already this year in nine chances to go along with a 6.14 ERA. The veteran's impressive MLB track record suggests he'll be given some leeway in the closer role, though he has not been overly effective so far in his first season with the Tigers.

Milner struck out the only batter he faced to record a save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Padres.

The Cubs got 1.2 innings from Ben Brown following seven strong frames by starter Jameson Taillon, but when the Padres pinch hit lefty Gavin Sheets with two outs in the ninth, Chicago countered with the southpaw Milner. San Diego then went to the bench again and sent out Ramon Laureano, though Milner was up to the task. It was the reliever's first save of the season and just his second at the MLB level. With all of Daniel Palencia (lat), Riley Martin (elbow), Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) out, Milner has had to step into a more prominent role, and he's responded with a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 15 innings so far.

Orze (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Wednesday as the Twins fell 5-3 to the Mariners, getting charged with three runs on two hits and two walks over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Getting the call to begin the ninth inning and protect a 3-2 lead, Orze walked the first batter he faced to set in motion another rough performance from the Minnesota bullpen. It was the righty's second blown save of the season but first to actually come in the ninth, as manager Derek Shelton continues to search for effective high-leverage options. Through 12 innings this season, Orze carries a 5.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB.

Munoz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Twins.

The Mariners were down 3-2 heading into the ninth, but a three-run rally in the top of the frame set Munoz up with the lead. The right-hander has had a couple stumbles this season, but he's been scored upon in only three of his 13 appearances, posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 12 innings while converting six of seven save chances.