MLB Player News

The Royals activated Cruz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Cruz has been on the shelf since Aug. 3 due to tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, but he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 26-year-old made four appearances during a minor-league rehab stint, allowing three hits and no walks with four strikeouts across 4.1 innings. Lucas Erceg (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Finnegan (groin) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Finnegan said he is "ready to go" for Friday's contest. The 34-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since the start of September due to a right adductor strain. He'll likely compete with Will Vest for saves during the closing days of the regular season.

The White Sox recalled Booser from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Booser has bounced between Charlotte and Chicago multiple times this season, holding a 4.82 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB over 28 frames in the majors. He'll give manager Will Venable another lefty in the bullpen.

The Marlins reinstated Tarnok (ankle) from the 15-day injured list Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

Tarnok has been on the shelf since early September due to a sprained left ankle, but he's been cleared to return after a brief rehab stint. The 26-year-old will head to Jacksonville for the closing week or so of the regular season. He has a 3.19 ERA in 67.2 innings with Jacksonville in 2025.

The Orioles placed McDermott on the family medical emergency list Friday.

By rule, McDermott will be away from the club for 3-to-7 days. The right-hander was just recalled earlier this week and has been roughed up for eight runs over one inning covering two appearances.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Espada holds a 4.17 ERA and 83:30 K:BB over 54 innings between the Double- and Triple-A levels this season. When the 28-year-old gets into a game, it will be his first appearance at the major-league level since 2023.

Atlanta optioned Dunning to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Dunning has struggled in a mop-up role with Atlanta, posting a 10.80 ERA over seven appearances. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Jhancarlos Lara.

Melton (3-2) allowed two runs on two hits across 1.2 innings of relief to take the loss Thursday against the Guardians. He walked one and struck out one.

Melton relieved starter Tarik Skubal, who left after six innings with the game tied 1-1, and promptly allowed two runs to take the loss. This was the rookie's first loss in a relief appearance, as his other loss came in his MLB debut back on July 23, when he allowed six runs in five innings as a starter. As a reliever, Melton now has a 2.66 ERA across 23.2 innings in 11 outings, and he's struck out 17 batters. He should maintain a key role in Detroit's bullpen given his ability to provide length.

Faucher earned the save Thursday against the Rockies, recording the final out of the game while allowing one hit.

The right-hander was summoned with two outs in the ninth inning after Valente Bellozo surrendered four runs to put the game in peril. Faucher gave up a single to Hunter Goodman before inducing a game-ending groundout to secure the victory. Faucher has been sharp of late, holding opponents scoreless in seven of his last eight appearances, and he needed just six pitches to wrap things up Thursday. On the season, the 29-year-old has converted 14 of 19 save chances while adding seven holds with a 3.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB across 57.2 innings.

Vesia struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Vesia and Tanner Scott were the only relievers the Dodgers used Wednesday, but Vesia's workload was lighter in that appearance. That put him in position to get a save opportunity Thursday, and the southpaw delivered a sharp outing to convert it. Since returning from an oblique injury Sept. 9, Vesia has allowed one run over 4.2 innings, adding two holds and a 7:1 K:BB in that span. He's at a 2.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 76:19 K:BB through 57 innings this season. Vesia has converted five saves while adding 23 holds and four blown saves as a fixture in the high-leverage mix throughout the year.