MLB Player News

The Giants placed Butto on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right forearm fatigue, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Butto made an early exit from his appearance against the Padres on Wednesday due to a forearm issue, and he'll now spend at least the next couple of weeks on the injured list getting his forearm back to full strength. Blade Tidwell will come up from Triple-A Sacramento to take Butto's place in the bullpen.

The Rockies optioned Ritter to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Ritter claimed a spot at the end of Colorado's bench to begin the regular season, but he'll now head back to Triple-A after beginning the season 1-for-7 with a run scored and three strikeouts. His demotion frees up a spot on the Rockies' active roster a day before Mickey Moniak (finger) is eligible to return from the injured list.

The Rockies recalled Bellozo from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

With Jose Quintana (hamstring) headed for the injured list, the Rockies will call upon Bellozo to fill the void in their starting rotation. The 26-year-old failed to make the Opening Day roster after posting a 6.32 ERA in the Cactus League, and he got off to a poor start in Triple-A by allowing three runs in three innings during his first outing with the Isotopes. It appears Bellozo will work out of the bullpen with Chase Dollander expected to start or work as a primary pitcher in place of Quintana on Saturday.

The Rockies placed Quintana on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a right hamstring strain, retroactive to Monday.

Quintana allowed two earned runs over 4.1 innings during his Rockies debut on Sunday, but he appears to have come away from his start with a hamstring injury. He'll miss his next couple of turns through the rotation as a result, though it remains unknown if he'll need more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. Valente Bellozo was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move and figures to take Quintana's place in the rotation.

The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Cook will move to the minors in order to clear a spot on the active roster for top prospect Konnor Griffin, who is slated to make his MLB debut against the Orioles on Friday. The 27-year-old Cook slashed .245/.321/.379 across 380 plate appearances at Indianapolis last year, and he'd be a candidate to return to Pittsburgh if one of the big club's outfielders go down with an injury.

The Tigers released Poche on Thursday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Poche never appeared in a Grapefruit League game after signing an NRI deal with the Tigers in February, and the team will now decide to move on from him rather than stash him away in their farm system. Poche allowed 13 earned runs in just 9.1 innings in the majors last season and finished the year with a 5.40 ERA across 16.2 minor-league frames.

The Tigers released Bickford (triceps) on Thursday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Bickford signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers in January and was a non-roster invitee to spring training, but he never pitched in a game due to a triceps injury. He'll now look for another opportunity in the free-agent market, but he may have a hard time landing with another team until his triceps issue clears up.

The Pirates and Griffin are working to finalize a nine-year, $140 million contract extension, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

The Pirates already announced that Griffin would be called up to make his major-league debut in Friday's home opener against the Orioles, and it appears the debut will be accompanied by a lucrative, long-term deal. He won't turn 20 until later this month, so Griffin will still be in his 20s when he gets his first crack at free agency. Griffin is set to take over as the Pirates' everyday shortstop after slashing .336/.420/.530 with 21 home runs and 68 stolen bases in his first 127 minor-league games.

Rice went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk, two total runs and two total RBI in a 5-3 win against Seattle on Wednesday.

Rice was the only Yankees player with multiple hits in the victory, and both of his knocks went for extra bases. The slugger kicked off the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning and plated New York's final run with a 427-foot solo shot in the ninth. Rice is off to a strong start this season, slashing .412/.524/.765 with four extra-base hits, five RBI, six runs and a 4:3 BB:K through five games.

The Mariners reinstated Crawford (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Crawford dealt with shoulder problems throughout spring training, and he landed on the injured list at the start of the regular season after receiving a cortisone shot to treat the injury. After playing a full rehab game at Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday without any issues, he'll now rejoin the active roster and slot in as Seattle's primary shortstop -- at least until the club is ready to promote top prospect Colt Emerson. Ryan Bliss was optioned to Tacoma in a corresponding move.