MLB Player News

Palencia worked around a hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pirates. He struck out two.

A day after seeing Ryan Pressly earn a save while he worked the eighth inning for a hold, Palencia was back as the closer Saturday. Pressly, meanwhile, worked the seventh after starter Matthew Boyd logged six solid innings. Palencia now has six saves this season in seven chances, and he lowered his ERA to a sparkling 1.73. It appears that the closer situation may remain fluid in Chicago, with both Palencia and Pressly getting opportunities for the time being. That gives both players fantasy value, though it does limit their ceilings.

Donovan (toe) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Saturday marks Donovan's fourth consecutive absence from the starting lineup due to a sprained big toe on his left foot. The Cards are expected to decide Sunday whether he needs to spend time on the injured list, and until he returns, Nolan Gorman will continue to start at second base.

The Reds designated Hurtubise for assignment Saturday.

Since being optioned to Triple-A on May 9, Hurtubise has slashed .115/.267/.180 across 76 plate appearances. His poor performance will now cost him his spot on the 40-man roster, and he'll be replaced by Ryan Vilade, who was claimed off waivers from St. Louis on Saturday.

The Reds claimed Vilade off waivers from the Cardinals on Saturday.

The Cardinals pushed Vilade off their 40-man roster Thursday after he went just 1-for-13 during his seven-game tenure with the big-league club. The Reds, however, were evidently intrigued by his .851 OPS in the minors, so they'll bring him onto their 40-man roster and send him to Triple-A Louisville. Jacob Hurtubise was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Cardinals optioned Siani to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

With Jordan Walker (wrist) returning from the injured list Saturday, Siani will end up as the odd man out of a spot on the Cardinals' bench. The 25-year-old outfielder has gone 4-for-17 while appearing in 19 MLB games this season and owns a .799 OPS across 133 plate appearances in Triple-A.

The Cardinals reinstated Walker (wrist) from the injured list Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Walker appeared to be trending toward returning to the active roster Tuesday, but he'll instead arrive a bit earlier than expected and start in right field Saturday against Milwaukee. The 23-year-old outfielder turned in a .215/.273/.310 slash line across 172 plate appearances before getting injured in late May, and he's likely to fill in as outfield depth now that he's healthy. Michael Siani was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.

McDaniels cleared waivers Saturday and was returned to the Dodgers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

McDaniels turned in a 5.91 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 10.2 innings before a biceps injury sent him to the injured list in May. The Angels designated McDaniels for assignment Monday after he was reinstated from the IL, and he will now return to the organization he began his professional career with before he was selected in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter. He will most likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City and serve as bullpen depth for the Dodgers.

Vientos (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse early next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vientos landed on the injured list June 3 with a right hamstring strain, but he's been progressing quicker than initially expected and is now close to returning to a competitive setting. The Mets haven't specified how long they plan on keeping the 25-year-old infielder in the minors, though a return to Queens before the end of the month seems likely.

Taylor isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Rays.

Taylor will give way to Jeff McNeil in center field after going 0-for-3 with an RBI during Friday's loss. Brett Baty will shift to second base as a result, while Ronny Mauricio covers third.

Alvarez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay.

Alvarez will get a breather Saturday after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's game. Luis Torrens will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.