MLB Player News

The Angels optioned Junk to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

He was sent out to clear room on the 26-man active roster for lefty Jose Suarez, who is expected to be deployed as the Angels' primary pitcher in Sunday's game against the Mariners. Junk was up with the big club for just under a week and didn't make any appearances out of the bullpen.

The Angels recalled Suarez from Triple-A Salt Lake ahead of Sunday's game against the Mariners. He's expected to serve as the Angels' primary pitcher out of the bullpen in the series finale with Seattle, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Andrew Wantz is listed as the Halos' starting pitcher on the lineup card, but he hasn't worked more than 2.1 innings in any of his appearances this season and is expected to be deployed as an opener. Assuming that's the case, Suarez should be in line to fill a bulk-relief role, and the fact that he won't be starting could help his case for factoring into the decision. Over his previous seven outings (six starts) with the big club this season, Suarez has submitted a 5.00 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 26:17 K:BB across 27 innings.

Keuchel had his contract selected by the Diamondbacks and is starting Sunday's game versus the Tigers.

Keuchel was let go by the White Sox in late May but quickly latched on with the Diamondbacks on a minor-league deal, and he'll join the big-league club after making two starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The veteran left-hander posted a 7.88 ERA and 20:20 K:BB in 32 innings over his eight starts with Chicago to begin the year, but Arizona will hope the change of scenery can bring some different results.

Woodruff (hand) is listed as Milwaukee's probable starter for Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old declared himself ready to return after throwing 74 pitches over five innings during a minor-league rehab start Thursday, and he'll pitch Tuesday to remain on a five-day schedule. Woodruff is likely to face some minor workload limitations after being sidelined for the past month, but he should have a decent chance of pitching deep enough to qualify for a potential victory.

Espino (knee) resumed a throwing program Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The Guardians will likely proceed cautiously with their star pitching prospect after he initially went on Double-A Akron's 7-day injured list in early May with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He posted a 2.45 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 35:4 K:BB across 18.1 innings prior to landing on the IL. In addition to the knee injury, Mandy Bell of MLB.com notes that Espino experienced right shoulder pain during his absence. The 21-year-old is likely weeks away from rejoining the Akron rotation.

Bradish (shoulder) said he expects he'll be ready to return from 15-day injured list when first eligible, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Manager Brandon Hyde echoed the sentiment, suggesting that Bradish may exceed the 15-day minimum but shouldn't be out too much beyond that, Kubatko adds. Bradish will likely resume throwing in the near future, and if his absence is indeed a short one, he may be able to forgo a minor-league rehab stint.

Seabold will be activated off the taxi squad Monday in Toronto, Brian Dulik of the Associated Press reports.

Seabold is traveling with the Red Sox and will join the active roster for the three-game series in Canada. Tanner Houck, who is unvaccinated for COVID-19, is not allowed to enter the country. Seabold, who made one start for Boston in 2021, could make a start during the Toronto series. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Henry Palattella of MLB.com that he has not decided whether he'll start or pitch in relief.

Sale (rib cage) allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six over 2.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start for the Florida Complex League Red Sox on Saturday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Sale built up innings during his second FCL start after throwing one frame last Monday. The fastball was between 92 and 96 mph. Next up for the left-hander is a bullpen session in Florida followed by a third rehab start at Double-A Portland, according to Red Sox manager Alex Cora. If he remains on a five-day schedule, Sale would start for the Sea Dogs on Thursday. A fourth rehab start could come at Triple-A Worcester, which is at home the following week.

Rogers did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Mets, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking one over 4.1 innings.

Rogers gave up three runs across 4.1 innings, but he escaped without being tagged with the loss after leaving the game tied at three. The lefty threw 56 of 86 pitches for strikes in the game. Rogers has now failed to reach five innings in three of five June games. He will take a 5.86 ERA into his next appearance.

Bassitt (6-5) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five and walking none over seven innings.

Bassitt threw 62 of 90 pitches for strikes in Saturday's game. He allowed three runs thanks to home runs from Jesus Sanchez and Bryan De La Cruz. The righty now has three quality starts in a row after a rough outing against the Padres. Even though he gave up three runs, Bassitt lowered his ERA to 4.01 on the season.