MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Spence was lit up for 10 earned runs in just 1.1 innings during Friday's 22-1 blowout loss, so the Royals will send him back to the minors in favor of Eric Cerantola. Spence has given up at least six earned runs in all three of his MLB appearances this season and owns a 6.47 ERA through 48.2 frames at Omaha.

Hancock will start Sunday's game against the Guardians, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Hancock was originally scheduled to work as the back half of a piggyback plan with Logan Gilbert on Saturday, but the former will now get the opportunity to make a traditional start during Sunday's series finale. George Kirby will be pushed back to Monday's game against the Angels as a result, and it's unknown which two of Seattle's six starters will be used in the team's next piggyback game.

Gilbert will no longer be piggybacked by Emerson Hancock during Saturday's game against the Guardians, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The Mariners reportedly didn't want to disrupt the rhythm that Gilbert has developed recently, per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, so they will allow the 29-year-old to make a traditional start Saturday. Hancock is now set to start Sunday's series finale, pushing George Kirby back to Monday's series opener against the Angels. The Mariners' piggyback-laden rotation plans remain very unpredictable and warrant close monitoring through the All-Star break.

Rangel will serve as a bulk reliever in Saturday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Rangel allowed just one run in five innings while following Tim Mayza out of the bullpen Monday, so the Phillies will aim to recreate that success by having the two pitchers work together again Saturday.

Mayza will serve as the opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Mayza worked as the opener for Alan Rangel on Monday, and the two pitchers are now set to work in tandem again Saturday. Mayza will presumably remain in the game for an inning or two before Rangel enters to handle the bulk of innings out of the pen.

Cantillo didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Mariners, giving up one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.

Aside from a solo homer off the bat of Colt Emerson in the third inning, the Mariners weren't able to muster much offensive production against Cantillo. Friday marked the third time this season that the 26-year-old southpaw collected nine strikeouts in a game, two of which have come in his last two starts. A lack of run support from the Guardians' bats and a collapse from the team's bullpen forced Cantillo to take a no-decision, but he'll still have plenty of momentum working in his favor when he takes on the Rangers at home next week.

The Mets optioned Thornton to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Thornton gave up just one run over six innings during his start against the Phillies on Friday, but it wasn't enough to buy him another turn through the rotation despite the fact that the Mets have only one more scheduled off day before the All-Star break and still need a fifth starter. He'll instead head back to Triple-A to make room for the return of Christian Scott (hip) from the injured list. Now with a 4.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 10.1 innings across his first two MLB starts, Thornton figures to be called upon again later in the year.

The Mets reinstated Scott (hip) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Phillies.

After landing on the injured list June 15 with a right hip impingement, Scott will now return to the Mets' rotation after a minimum-length stay without making a rehab appearance in the minors. He'll be welcomed back by a Phillies offense that has been red hot recently, posting an .829 OPS across its last 10 games. Zach Thornton was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.

Munoz struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 15th save of the season in Friday's 3-1 win over Cleveland.

Munoz struck out Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio to lead off the final frame before inducing a groundout from Kahlil Watson to end the game. With a 4.91 ERA through 29.1 innings, the 27-year-old hasn't been as reliable this year compared to past seasons, but he's now thrown five consecutive scoreless innings and earned a save in each of his last five appearances.

Castillo (3-6) earned the win against the Guardians on Friday, giving up one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out four batters across six innings.

A first-inning RBI double from Kahlil Watson gave the Guardians an early 1-0 lead, but that ended up being the only run Cleveland would score against Castillo, who allowed just three additional baserunners before departing the game after six innings. Friday marked the 33-year-old's first win since the end of May, as well as his first quality start since his season debut March 30. He'll take a 4.93 ERA and 1.36 WHIP into his next start against the Angels, who have turned in a .758 OPS since the beginning of June.