MLB Player News

Smith struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to secure the save in Friday's win over the Tigers.

Smith needed just 13 pitches to retire the side in order, picking up a strikeout of Riley Greene in the process, to convert his 19th straight save chance. The 27-year-old righty remains on top of the MLB saves leaderboard with 22 and boasts a 2.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with a 47:5 K:BB through 31.1 innings.

The Pirates placed Dotel on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain.

Dotel gave up four earned runs in just 1.2 innings during his appearance Friday, and his strained lat may have been a factor in his poor performance. He'll now remain out until at least June 28, and the Pirates will bring up Brandan Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill the void in their bullpen.

The Pirates recalled Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Bidois was sent down to Triple-A on Friday, but he'll turn around and head right back to Pittsburgh following Wilber Dotel's (lat) move to the injured list Saturday. Bidois has turned in a 4.05 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 13.1 innings with the Pirates this season, but a 7.08 FIP will likely ensure he remains far away from high-leverage opportunities.

The Rangers designated Otanez for assignment Saturday.

Otanez has spent the entire season in the minors, and he'll now lose his place on the 40-man roster after posting a 6.15 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 26.1 innings. Joe Ross was selected to the big-league roster in a corresponding move.

The Rangers optioned Curvelo to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Texas added Curvelo to its bullpen Thursday, but he'll head right back to Triple-A after giving up three earned runs in one inning Friday against Boston. The 25-year-old now owns a 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP through 8.1 innings with the Rangers this year and will likely have to show signs of improvement at Round Rock before getting another shot in the big leagues. Joe Ross was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move.

The Rangers selected Ross's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Ross has put up a 2.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 12.1 innings at Round Rock since signing a minor-league deal with the Rangers in late May. His strong showing will earn him another chance in the majors, though he'll likely be limited to low-leverage work after allowing eight earned runs in 3.2 frames with Arizona earlier this year. Luis Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A to free up room on the active roster, and Michel Otanez was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

The Tigers optioned Madden to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Madden has posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 20 innings with the Tigers this season, but he'll end up as the odd man out of a roster spot following Tarik Skubal's (elbow) return from the injured list. Madden's strong performance in the majors makes him a likely candidate to return later this summer whenever Detroit needs a fresh arm.

Estevez (shoulder) increased his intensity and volume in a flat-ground throwing session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez is slowly progressing in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain suffered during a rehab assignment May 6 while working back from a left foot contusion. After a return to throwing May 27, the right-hander is increasing the intensity of his work, which is an encouraging sign. A formal timeline for the next steps in the veteran's progression and his return to Kansas City remains unclear, though bullpen sessions and facing live hitters would likely be among the next milestones. Lucas Erceg initially took over as the Royals' primary closer in Estevez's absence but has struggled mightily, opening the door for Alex Lange, who has converted four saves in June.

Ragans (elbow) threw a second bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Ragans' bullpen session Friday comes on the heels of a 23-pitch session Wednesday. The continued throwing is an encouraging sign, and the Royals will determine the next steps in his recovery after evaluating how the 28-year-old feels over the weekend. The southpaw has been on the injured list since May 8 with a left elbow impingement and made a rehab start May 23, but his progression was paused after he experienced discomfort in the aftermath of the outing. Before being sidelined, Ragans posted a 1-4 record with a 4.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB across 35.1 innings (eight starts).

The Nationals recalled Poulin from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Poulin will return to Washington's bullpen after giving up three earned runs in five innings since his demotion to Triple-A in late May. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 3.28 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 24.2 frames with the Nationals this season and will presumably work in middle relief as long as he's with the big club.