MLB Player News

Yates exited Saturday's game against the Angels with the training due to an apparent injury, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Yates faced five batters but recorded only one out and allowed two earned runs before exiting the contest. The nature of the issue is unclear, but there should be additional updates Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Gusto allowed two walks and struck out a batter while working a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Rangers.

Gusto was a candidate to start Sunday's series finale, but his recent struggles -- he's allowed 10 runs (seven earned) across his last four innings -- may have temporarily cost him a rotation spot. Framber Valdez is likely to start Sunday's game, though that has not yet been confirmed. If the Astros elect to maintain a six-man rotation heading into their upcoming seven-game week, Gusto could still be in line for a start once he has a few days to recover from Saturday's 30-pitch appearance.

Hoffman (4-2) walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to pick up the win in a 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

With the score tied 1-1, Toronto's closer was brought in to work the top of the ninth and saw a leadoff walk erased on a double play started by Nathan Lukes, who threw out Gleyber Torres trying to tag up and advance to second base on a fly ball deep into the left-field corner. Hoffman then collected the win on Ernie Clement's walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. It was a reassuring effort from Hoffman after he got tagged for five runs in one-third of an inning during his previous appearance, but he's having an awful May overall with a 19.80 ERA in five innings while going just 3-for-5 in save chances.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Tigers, allowing one run on three hits over three innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

A solo shot by Spencer Torkelson in the second inning was the only blemish on Lauer's line, but the southpaw was lifted after just 40 pitches (31 strikes). He's been very effective in his four big-league appearances this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB through 12 innings, but the Blue Jays have been reluctant to let him go too deep into games. He'll continue to help fill out the rotation along with Jose Urena, and one or both pitchers could be deployed when the team next needs a fifth starter, a spot which could come up next weekend in Tampa Bay.

Wells was pulled from his start with Double-A Chesapeake on Saturday due to left abdominal discomfort, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

There's not much detail about the severity of the injury, though it's encouraging that it's not an arm issue. Wells has pitched well with Chesapeake this season, maintaining a 3.08 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 23:6 K:BB across 26.1 frames.

Kittredge (knee) threw a scoreless inning while allowing one walk and striking out two Saturday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Norfolk.

Kittredge made appearances on consecutive days for the first time since beginning his rehab assignment May 4. He's now made six appearances between Norfolk and High-A Aberdeen, striking out six batters while allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings. Kittredge looks on track to return from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week.

Treinen (forearm) began playing catch Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

This marked Treinen's first activity since hitting the injured list April 19. He isn't eligible to be activated until June 18, and he still has to go through a lot of rehab work before it will be clear if returning around the 60-day minimum will be a reasonable expectation.

Diaz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Yankees.

The veteran right-hander's adrenaline was pumping, and Diaz topped out at 100 mph on a fastball before fanning Aaron Judge with a 98.6 mph heater to end the game. That's a big step up from the career-low 96.6 mph Diaz has been averaging with the pitch this season, and it's an encouraging sign as he produced his eighth straight appearance without allowing an earned run. The 31-year-old sports a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB through 18 innings, and he's a perfect 10-for-10 in converting save chances.

The Dodgers optioned Loutos to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Loutos gave up two runs in one inning during Friday's loss and will now head back to the minors after one appearance to make room for Clayton Kershaw (toe/knee), who was activated from the IL to start Saturday's game.

Manager Bob Melvin announced Saturday that Birdsong will replace Jordan Hicks in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Birdsong lost the race for a rotation spot during spring training, but his 2.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 23.1 innings out of the bullpen, combined with Hicks' struggles as a starter, will cause the two pitchers to swap roles. Birdsong's first start of the season will come Tuesday against the Royals, who own the fourth-lowest scoring offense (157 runs) and sixth-worst OPS (.662) in the majors.