MLB Player News

The Guardians designated Allard for assignment Thursday.

Allard's move to the bullpen this season has paid off so far, as he owns a 2.55 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 35.1 innings. However, he'll lose his spot on the 26-man and 40-man roster to make room for Doug Nikhazy, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. Thanks to his newfound success as a reliever, Allard could draw interest from other clubs scanning the waiver wire for some bullpen help.

The Guardians recalled Nikhazy from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Nikhazy was lit up during his lone MLB outing this season, giving up six runs on five hits and six walks in just three innings against the Red Sox on April 26. Since then, he's posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 49.1 frames at Columbus. The 25-year-old southpaw has worked exclusively as a starter this year, but with Joey Cantillo already slated to start Thursday in place of Luis L. Ortiz (personal), Nikhazy could be ticketed for a bullpen role. Kolby Allard was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Guardians recalled Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Cantillo will come up from the minors as the rotation replacement for Luis L. Ortiz, who was placed on leave Thursday and is being investigated for a possible gambling-related offense. Cantillo owns a 3.81 ERA and 1.38 WHIP through 28.1 innings on the year, but he hasn't pitched more than three innings in an appearance this season, so his start against the Cubs on Thursday will likely be short-lived.

Bello (4-3) allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk over five innings out of the bullpen and scooped up a win in the Red Sox's 5-3 victory over the Reds on Wednesday in the continuation of a game that was suspended Tuesday. He struck out three batters in the 62-pitch appearance.

Rather than having Bello start the regularly scheduled game for Wednesday, the Red Sox had the right-hander take the hill in the top of the fourth inning for the suspended game from Tuesday. Making what was his first relief appearance since 2022, Bello entered the contest with the Red Sox up 2-1, but Boston quickly fell behind after he served up a one-out, two-run home run to Spencer Steer in the fourth. Bello buckled down thereafter, however, retiring 13 of the final 15 batters he faced and inducing inning-ending double plays in the seventh and eighth. The Red Sox were able to plate the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the eighth to put Bello in line for the win before closer Aroldis Chapman finished out the contest with a scoreless ninth. Bello will return to a traditional starting role for his next appearance, which is expected to come during next week's series with the Rockies at Fenway Park.

Gimenez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees due to an ankle injury, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Gimenez had to be removed from Wednesday's win versus the Yanks in the ninth inning after hurting his ankle. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Gimenez should be available off the bench Thursday, suggesting he'll have a shot to return to the lineup Friday against the Angels. Leo Jimenez is filling in at second base Thursday.

The Rays optioned Mead to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

With Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) returning from the 60-day IL on Thursday, Mead will end up as the odd man out of a spot in the Rays' infield unit. The 24-year-old slashed .225/.320/.342 with eight RBI and 14 runs scored through 128 plate appearances during his time in the majors, and he'll now serve as organizational depth at Triple-A.

Stanton is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Stanton started the first three games of the series and cranked his first home run of the season in Wednesday's contest, but he'll begin Thursday's festivities on the bench. Aaron Judge is getting a start at designated hitter as the Yankees try to avoid a four-game sweep.

Goldschmidt is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Goldschmidt had started at first base in five of the past six contests for the Yankees, but he'll grab a seat for Thursday's series finale. Ben Rice is handling first base and batting second.

Wells (finger) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Thursday's contest in Toronto.

Wells missed the previous four starts while recovering from artery damage in his left index finger, although he did appear as a pinch runner in Wednesday's game. The 25-year-old has struggled at the plate lately, slashing only .159/.191/.205 across his last 14 contests.

The Rays reinstated Kim (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Kim has been on the injured list all season while working his way back from a shoulder procedure he underwent in October, though he's also been dealing with a hamstring issue over the past several weeks. Now fully recovered from both injuries, the 29-year-old infielder will make his Rays debut Friday against the Twins and is expected to work as Tampa Bay's primary shortstop going forward. Curtis Mead was optioned to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.